21 Keys to Profitable Relationships – Key #1

Remember people’s first names.

image Studies show that a person’s first name is the sweetest sounding word in their entire vocabulary even if they’re not particularly fond of their own name. Social media allows us to have quick and easy access to our entire community with everyone’s profiles – so there’s no excuse for not knowing people’s names! ;)

For example, when sending @ tweets, use the person’s first name when appropriate – not necessarily every single time. Imagine you’re chatting over a cup of tea/coffee with that person and use their name just as you would F2F (face-to-face).

This key may sound simple and perhaps not that important if you weren’t aware of it before. But, I can assure you, it’s a really powerful tip! Try it out and keep me posted on your results. In fact, hop over now to Twitter and send me a tweet something like this: @marismith Yay, Mari! I’m enjoying your 21 Keys to Profitable Relationships at http://marismith.com

I always do my best to respond to all @me tweets. The benefit of this is YOU get exposure to each of my thousands of followers and you may get more followers yourself as a result!

image By the way, I’m a big fan of NameTagScott – yep, that guy who wears a nametag 24/7! Smart!

Be sure to follow Scott on Twitter.

Cheers,

image

P.S. Want to receive all 21 Keys to Profitable Relationships as an e-course? Just enter your first name and email in the blue form to the top right! ^|^

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  • http://directsalesmarketingqueen.com Nancy Sutherland

    Hi Mari,
    This is so true! I am a big fan of using name tags in a face to face experience where we meet more than one or two people at a time. It’s even easier using social media because you immediately connect a name (even if it’s a screen name) with a face (I prefer a real one for building relationships)
    I didn’t think about using their name in tweets- what a powerful addition to growing the relationship! Thanks for all you do! I appreciate you!

  • Dali Burgado

    Hi Mari,
    It absolutely works! You responded right away to my tweet when I said “yeah, Mari” :-)

    It is music to your ears when someone mentions your name in a tweet. Great tip.

    Hugs,
    Dali Burgado

  • Mari Smith

    @Nancy Truly my pleasure!! Thanks for your kind words. ;)

    @Dali Awesome. So happy to connect with you!!

  • Yvonne Jones

    Mari,

    It really is amazing to almost see the invisible walls coming down when you address someone by their name in business and even social situations. Many times it’s as if they are now more receptive because they believe you felt they were important enough to make an effort to remember their names.

    I usually include the friend’s name on Facebook a lot; not much on Twitter to save space, but I can appreciate the value of doing that as well. Thank you, Mari.

    Yvonne

  • http://twitter.com/PhilJohncock Phil Johncock

    Mari, I love the reference to names being the “sweetest sounding word in their entire vocabulary”. I love to compose songs (mostly lullaby-like ones in concert) by only singing and harmonizing a friend’s first name over-and-over. People (even new friends) absolutely love it and beam ear-to-ear. Great key #1! I look forward to the remaining 20!

    ~Phil

    P.S. Just got this crazy idea to compose a birthday song for you. Share your birthday … others can join me (@PhilJohncock) on Twitter.

  • http://andreabakerdesigns.com Andrea Baker

    I always try to use names when talking to people. some times I even have a note pad on hand to write names in case I forget.

    great post!

  • http://www.HomeProfitNow.com Donna

    Hi Mari, great information…and soooo TRUE! As a “newbie” on Twitter, I really appreciate all of your valuable advice, and relationship building tips & ideas!

    Thank you, Mari. I can’t wait to get the next Key!

  • http://diamondesign.wordpress.com Lydia

    Glad to hear I have been doing that correctly. Sometimes it is the simple things that count.

  • http://www.divinepurposeunleashed.com CK Reyes

    Mari,
    I love your tips, but I don’t know how to even send you a twitter message…

  • http://www.meta-team.net Andrew Tham

    Hi Mari,

    This is so true. Makes any relationships much more personal.
    Loves your tips.

  • Julia Mattern

    Hi Mari, As always, your advice is right on the mark! Thanks for being so generous in sharing all of your great ideas.

  • http://www.coreexcellence.com.au Catherine Rumble

    Hey Mari,

    Great first tip.
    I know how I feel when someone remembers my name I just met and they then introduce me to someone else using my name.
    I definately make a point of using first names myself, with going overboard.

    Keep’em coming..next tip please

  • Pamela

    Yes, this is definitely a great start. First name is the most valuable. I have received so many great responses when using the first name and actually remembering it. I have a hard time with names, however when I found this was a winner with people to remember their first name I have resolved my issue by picking something about the person that helps me remember the name. Yes, even first names were hard for sometime. Thanks for he tip!

  • http://www.camerapatty.wordpress.com Patty Reiser

    That is good advice Mari. I have made a point of doing that wherever I go, like the grocery store or the doctors office but I didn’t really think about doing that online.

    Wishing you a scent-sational day!
    Patty

  • http://www.RivWorks.com Ty Ricker

    Mari, When we first met in Seattle at a conference because of my name tag “Ty” you started up a conversation with “that’s my favorite name!” You were speaking in reference to your husband being also Ty. So I agree with you that using first names is powerful!

    Congratulations on all the success that you are having! It’s clear it’s because of the hard work you put in and doing what you teach!

    Ty

  • http://www.fabianramirez.com Fabian Ramirez

    Interesting post, and I like the nametagguy link. I agree that it’s very important to remember people’s names. I’m Hispanic and it’s even more important to remember last names. Not all the time, just for relational purposes. You know, “oh are you related to the Martinez family in Houston, TX”.

    This makes a great shoe in once you find how you relate to someone.

  • http://www.mymilliondollardayquest.com Poppie

    Hi Mari,
    For a while I thought you spelled my Twitter first name incorrectly until I realized it was yours!

    Duhhh…I really need this course!
    Thanks Mari…Was this lesson 1?

    Poppie

  • http://www.beeingattraction.com Alan Hickman

    Hi Mari – Yes! My name is the sweetest song I can hear. I was at a networking meeting a few years ago and the speaker was a gentleman who met each person in the room before dinner and at the end of the meeting he introduced each person by name…all 125 of them!

    Here at Perfect Customers, one tip we give is to write what makes me tick on my business cards and when I receive a business card from someone I write what I feel makes them tick on the back of their card. It helps me in BEE-ing present, connected, and more attractive!

    Attractively, with LOVE and GRATITUDE,
    Alan Hickman

  • http://contagioushealth.blogspot.com Melissa

    Hi Mari! Thank you for reminding me of this simple trick. It’s true that my ears perk up when someone uses my first name when they are talking to me.

  • Sherry Prince

    Mari,

    I really had never gave that much thought to nametags but now that you have definitely got me to thinking about it…you are right! I can usually remember a face but am always forgeting the name that goes with it…how embarrassing!?!? It’s not very professional either!

    Thanks,
    Sherry Prince

  • aliciapierre

    Hi Mari,

    Thank you for the tip. First names definitely “break the ice” so to speak and convey a familiarity that can be lacking online.
    Thank you for sharing
    -alicia

  • http://www.jessilicious.com Jess Webb

    Hi Mari!
    Thanks for the first tip – it's a “gooder”! ;) Looking forward to diving into the rest… Thank you so much for sharing these! :)

  • Pamela

    Absolutely very important. I have been in customer service for years and the most successful transactions were the ones using the first name. It is very important. Thanks, Mari.

  • http://www.lisakneller.com Lisakneller

    This is one of my favorite things to do! As a yoga teacher, I introduce myself to each and every student and try my hardest to remember their names and then address them in class. It makes them feel very special. Sometimes I do real well and other times I forget. But then, guess what I do? That's right! I simply say, “Please tell me your name again.” Then I repeat it in my head and try really hard to remember.

  • http://twitter.com/MikeGibson10k Mike

    Hey Mari

    Such a basic but powerful tip. Thanks for that !

    Mike

  • Holli

    Hi Mari,-
    Love the Mari with an i and I'm Holli with an i. I'm very much looking forward to connecting and learning from you.
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Holli

  • http://facebook.com/marismith Mari Smith

    Lovely!! What a fabulous name – I love unique names. Wonderful to meet you. :)