Friday, September 11, 2009

And You Are... ?

Last night I attended a great Art+Copy Club event.

My favorite part of those events is the networking (and, no, not for the beer). I love talking to old friends and meeting new people. In fact, I'm the guy who goes around the room and tries to talk to everyone.

It's not uncommon for people to come up to me at these events. What throws me is when we're a minute or two into conversation and the person makes a comment that makes me realize we've met before. I then spend the next few minutes trying to remember where.

Sometimes it's someone who's heard me speak. Or someone who's portfolio I've reviewed. Or someone I talked to at the last event.

When you approach someone at an event like this, reintroduce yourself and remind them how you met ("You reviewed my portfolio last spring."). Usually that reminder will do the trick and they'll remember you. It's rare that I just don't remember someone.

That little memory trigger will keep them engaged in your conversation instead of trying to remember where you met before.

It also allows them to introduce you to other people. The whole point of networking.


2 comments:

Jeremy Fuksa: Creative Generalist said...

I couldn't agree more. When you add to the fact that I'm getting increasingly bad with remembering names and when/where I met someone I've only seen a time or two, a little reminder goes a very long way toward a good conversation.

I've gotten into the habit of asking up front if they haven't volunteered the information within a minute or two. A simple, "I know we've met before, but would you mind telling me your name again so I'll remember next time?" is usually enough to get it going and doesn't completely come off sounding idiotic/forgetful.

And I also agree that the event was great. I told JJ that it truly was one of the better ones we've had for a little while.

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