21 Keys to Profitable Relationships – Key #2
Always double check how you spell people’s names correctly.
In Key #1 I talk about the importance of remembering people’s first names. Just as important, you want to make sure you use the correct spelling of people’s names.
This is one of my wee sticklers. 😉 I have an unusual name spelling myself. Here’s something you may not know about me: As I’m Scottish – though born in Canada – my parents gave me the name Mairi, which is Gaelic for Mary. When in Scotland, I would tell people my name was Mairi like marigold.
But, when I moved to the United States in ’99, people pronounce marigold like marygold here! So, I dropped the silent middle “i” and tell people my name is like calamari now. Okay, I know squid is certainly not as attractive as a flower. Lol. If you can think of a better example, I’d love to know!
Many of my buds on Facebook and Twitter have unusually spelled names and I recommend making a point of double — sometimes triple – checking that you get the spelling correct. This reinforces the subliminal message that you CARE.
Here are a couple examples of my buds:
 |
JoLynn Braley @TheFitShack on Twitter.
JoLynn’s name isn’t that difficult to spell, but note she uses uppercase “L” in the middle of her name! 😉 |
 |
Deontée Gordon @deontee on Twitter.
I love how Deontée has an accent on the first “e.” Did you know you can make this e by pressing Alt+130: é! See my secret stash of Alt Codes here. Alternatively, you can copy and paste special characters. |
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! ^|^
I’m amused and nodding in recognition at everyone’s mis-naming, mis-spelling and mis-pronunciation frustrations. I’ve experienced all of these.
You can imagine that with Marcia as a last name–and yes, it is pronounced the same as Marsha–I had people assume it was my first name many a time. Add to that a first name they didn’t know how to assess and the people who got it right were the rare ones!
Great job on your tips, Mari! I appreciate them.
best wishes,
Nili
Hi, Mari.
Great thoughts and tips so far.
Offline people for some reason call me “Sharon.” It’s very annoying. And most people try to put a “y” or “i” in my last name. Always if telemarketers call they ask for Ms. Blahlack. Ugh. I should have married a Smith! 🙂
Just an FYI. Your system for registering does not seem to recognize two-word first names. Mine is Mary Cate, and I registered that way, but in all of the automated correspondence to follow it is Mary.
Mari! First off, I really like the original spelling of your name, and if you’d kept it you know I would be spelling it right today. 😉
You make such an excellent point here and I’m so glad that I could be an example for you – it reaaaaalllly does show something when ppl spell my name correctly. What’s cool is that most of my Twitter pals do, but I do hang with those who are not only aware and care, but who also get how important it is to build relationships prior to marketing, those kinda peeps like you o course. 😉
Well Rock ON Mari, can’t wait to see what else you’ve got cookin’ for the rest of 2009. And here’s to your Unlimited Abundance and crazy success in ALL areas of your life. 🙂
I get annoyed when people online and offline insist on calling me Lynn or Linda. Online I find it more annoying because when the person is sending me a message or posting to my page my name is correctly spelled out. That goes right along with the messages they send about products that having nothing to do with what I state on my page I am interested in. Some people do not really pay attention to your information because they are only focused on their agenda.
yes this is a very important tip. My name is Andrea. not only has my name been misspelled at times but also mispronounced. I actually grew up with teachers that always mispronounced my name.
I have several friends online who spell their name different then the norm, and i love them for it, so I always try to double check.
Great tip.
@andreabaker816 on twitter
Mari … thanks for reminding me to double/triple check spelling of first names. A quick personal story … when I was born, the nurse brought the birth certificate to my mother with my name spelled with two “ll’s”. My mother angrily replied, “Take that back and change the spelling. Philip only has one ‘l’.” I love how she stood up and asked for what she wanted.
I go by “Phil” because it’s 1 syllable.
~Phil
Usually I agree with all that you’re saying but I really think Mairi is a beautiful name and it makes you stand out from all the Maris. My name is Yemoonyah and I know it’s hard for people to spell correctly but it also makes them remember me!
BTW did you know that Mari and all its variants derive from an ancient sea goddesss ? (that’s why Mary wears a blue robe). Yemoonyah also comes from a sea goddess = Yemanja as she is known in South america and Africa 🙂
Loving your 21 keys – very good Mari/Mairi – didn’t know that was how your name was originally spelt! It’s amazing how we can change to make things easier for people huh?
This is one of my ‘things’ too! With my posh (lol) French/South African surname, la Grange and living in Scotland you can imagine the confusion (although i have to say not so much online as we mostly use first names or click on a link like in twitter – phew). But i hate it when people call me anything from Emily Grange, Emily LAGrange Emily Lagrange, Emily la, Even Emily Mc Grange (????)
I couldn’t agree more.
People often stick an ‘h’ in the middle of my name though I haven’t seen that spelling anywhere for years, except when people make that mistake with me!
You’re right, it shows you care, and with the fast moving pace of messaging and posting, little things like that really matter.