21 Keys to Profitable Relationships – Key #1
Remember people’s first names.
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!
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,
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! ^|^
Hi Mari,
This is so true. Makes any relationships much more personal.
Loves your tips.
Mari,
I love your tips, but I don’t know how to even send you a twitter message…
Glad to hear I have been doing that correctly. Sometimes it is the simple things that count.
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!
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!
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.
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
@Nancy Truly my pleasure!! Thanks for your kind words. 😉
@Dali Awesome. So happy to connect with you!!
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
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!