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