Top 10 Quick Tips to Remembering Names at Networking Events

At business networking events, the initial interaction when meeting new people is typically brief and follows this sequence: “Hi, my name is Sarah. Nice to meet you.” “Hi, I’m Tom. What is it that you do, Sarah?”

The name exchange generally lasts around 3 seconds, leaving little time to remember each person’s name and profession amidst the hustle of networking, making it an incredibly difficult task to remember all the people you meet. But fear not, as we’re here to equip you with the top 10 networking tips to overcome these challenges effortlessly.

Tips to easily learn names at networking events

The problem with introductions at networking events is that they happen too quickly. Participants usually want to make sure they meet everyone, and quite often people have a mindset of “let’s skip this name part (which I’ll probably forget anyway!) and get to the good part of how we can be of use to each other”.

However, names are incredibly important, and remembering them can significantly enhance your networking experience. People generally react better when they hear their names (a highly recommended read on this phenomenon is ‘How To Make Friends And Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie). Some people may even shy away from speaking with a person whose name they have forgotten! So here are some tips to learn people’s names quicker when connecting at networking events:

Recall the name. Before introducing yourself, ask the other person if your pronunciation is correct while saying the name again. Think about the name a little before giving your name.
Ask to spell their name. This could also be a good prompt to exchanging business cards, which you can always refer back to to recall a name. “Is that Catherine with a C or with a K?”
Create a Mnemonic. For example, if you have met a Fred who specialises in Finance, you might associate him with ‘Finance Fred’ to make it easier to remember his name and specialisation.
Associate the name with another person you know. Or object, image, song, anything which can help you remember by association. “Hi George, great to meet you. There’s also a George in my department, so that should make it easier for me to remember your name!’
Continue to use the name in conversation. Use the other person’s names frequently as you continue the conversation. “Have you been to other networking events Sarah?” “George, I’d like to introduce Sarah to you. Sarah was just telling me about her recent project in pharmaceutical sales.”
Ask about the origins of their name. Example: “Do you know why you were named India?”
Note the name down. As well as anything that you recall from your conversation which makes it easier to associate with them. It will help with recalling important information when you get an opportunity to check your note.
Ask their name again if you forgot! Most people will completely empathise with you. They may have even forgotten your name as well, so they’d be incredibly thankful for you bringing it up! Don’t allow this to stop you from forging the relationships which could take you to where you want to be. Refer back to a conversation or time you met and ask for their name again: “I remember we spoke about the content strategies that could be used for a web app business at another networking event. Tell me your name again!”
Keep high energy. Be excited about meeting new people! And don’t feel discouraged when you forget someone’s name. It happens!
Set a target for yourself. Try to remember, for example, 5 names at a networking event.

All of these tips allow you to revisit and reuse the other person’s name, which should help you remember it better. Many of these can also be used to help other people remember your name.

Tips to make your name more memorable

Just like how you struggle with remembering people’s names, the same is true for them! So below are some extra tips to make it easier for other people to remember your name.

Separate and articulate your name. Say your first and last name in a clear manner, with a small pause in between. “My name is Bond… James Bond.”
Associate with memorable things. Bonus points if you can make them memorable by associating it with your specialty. “My name is Adam Park. Easy to remember because like a tree in a park, I plant the seeds of community and growth in urban development.”
Associate with positive things. Don’t associate your name with negative things because it will leave people with worse impressions of you when recollecting.
Clarify it further. Some names can sound more confusing than others. E.g. “Adam Mathinson” rolls into 1 word. Make it clearer by separating your first and last name. “My name is Adam, last name is Mathinson.”
Be culture aware. Some people may not be familiar with many cultures and may therefore find difficulty in understanding and remembering cultural names. Try to make it simpler for them by associating it with familiar words. Jee-young would say “Ji rhymes with ‘see’, and young sounds like ‘young’.”

Networking Etiquette

Here are some final tips to ensure you network in a respectful manner:

Shake hands when meeting new acquaintances.
Make sure to stand when being introduced or meeting someone (if you’re seated and there is enough space).
Use both first and last names when making introductions.
Promptly introduce new people to the group to ensure they’re not left in silence for too long.
When introducing a superior (or a customer) to a subordinate, say the name of the superior first. Example: “Michael, I’d like you to meet David Adaway. David, this is Michael Thompson. We set up a CRM system for Michaels skiing business a month back. Michael, David is responsible for the product design of the system.”

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Mastering the art of remembering names is a valuable skill that can elevate your networking experience. By applying these strategies with our guidance at our business networking events in London, you can forge valuable connections, leave lasting impressions, and unlock new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Join us at our next business networking event and remember these tips to make the most out of every interaction. Happy networking!