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5 tips to Remember Someone's Name
Why using someone's name is a cheat code in sales.
Good Morning! The election is finally over, which (hopefully) means the end of those political spam texts. We respect an outbound sales campaign more than most, but those were over the top. 😅
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5 tips to Remember Someone's Name
As Dale Carnegie once said, ‘A person's name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.’
And that's why using someone's name is so powerful in sales.
When you use a prospect's name, you're using their favorite word they know, and making them feel seen and heard.
It lets them know you’re interested in them as a person, not just another means to a commission check.
But remembering people’s names is a skill of its own.
So today, we’re breaking down 5 tips to make sure you never blank on a name again.
1. Repeat It Back Immediately
The moment you hear someone's name, repeat it back – and make sure you're looking directly at their face.
Nice to meet you, Sarah.
Sarah, tell me more about your current challenges.
This does two things:
It helps cement the name in your memory
It makes the person feel acknowledged and important
Pro tip: Look at their face when you do this, and try to find something memorable about it. The visual connection helps your brain create a stronger memory link.
2. Associate it With Another Person
Our brains love connections. The more unique the association, the easier it is to remember.
Meet a Mike? Immediately link him to Michael Jordan or Michael Phelps in your mind.
Talking to Emily? Think about your Aunt Emily, or the Emily you went to school with.
The more vivid and personal the association, the more likely you are to remember the name.
3. Spell It Out in Your Head
This might sound simple, but spelling a name mentally creates an additional memory pathway.
Jessica becomes → J-E-S-S-I-C-A in your mind.
This technique engages a different part of your brain, creating multiple memory anchors for the name.
4. Write It Down
I know… this one’s boring. But I promise it works.
In the age of screens and iPhones, it’s easy to forget about the power of physical writing. But it’s how we were taught to remember things in school.
It’s the practice of ‘copy work’ - If you want to learn how to write like your favorite author, handwrite their writing, word for word. Your subconscious will start to recognize patterns and styles until you’re effortlessly using them yourself.
And the same system works for remembering names. If you want to remember it, write it down.
5. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Like most things, the best way to memorize it is through repetition.
Use their name naturally throughout the conversation.
"So, Michael, what challenges are you facing?"
"That's an interesting point, Michael."
"Michael, how do you see this impacting your team?"
Each repetition is like a memory hammer, driving the name deeper into your brain.
But be careful not to overuse it… it’s easy to tell when someone is going overboard with using your name, which results in feeling “salesy”.
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