Forgetting people’s names at a networking event can be embarrassing. The “in one ear and out the other” is a common ailment of most adults after being introduced to someone at a networking event. Without the help of name tags, it can be quite awkward to introduce the person you just met to someone else you know if you have forgotten the person’s name already. Out of discomfort, many people default to a worse social offense: not introducing them at all.

A simple bit of networking finesse is to have a good memory. Remembering people’s names, faces and details when you see them again (months, weeks or even minutes later) makes a formidable impression on them. You cared enough about them to remember their name. This will help you stand out from the crowd and accelerate your ability to develop more mutually-beneficial relationships for business and career growth.

Try out these 6 strategies to help you improve name recall during networking.

(click here for more detail on each strategy)

1. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Use their name at least 3 times in your initial conversation.
2. Pay closer attention to the fine detail.
3. Ask them to teach you how to pronounce their name.
4. Get Creative. Create a picture in your mind’s eye that’s unique to that person.
5. Anchoring. Associate their name with a unique feature of that person.
6. Exercise your brain.  I found this article interesting about name recall in the academic setting.

Your networking GOAL this week:

Implement one or more of these name recall strategies any place where groups of people gather this week (networking events, church, conferences, holiday party, boy scout meetings). Introduce yourself to someone and see if you can lock in their name into your short term memory. When you return to your office or home later that day, test yourself to see if you can recall their name and get a picture of them in your mind. If you can do that, why not cement it in by making a note on the back of their business card or capturing this information in your contact management system. For you over-achievers, implement a follow-up strategy (send them a motivating card, invite them to Linkedin with you or friend them on Facebook). Now, you are cranking!