Hey, I remember you!
How to be more memorable for the right reasons
Hello, friend! 👋Â
I’m happy to be back (albeit jet-lagged) after my two-week hiatus enjoying a family vacation. (Did you follow any of my travel highlights on my Instagram stories?)
If you’re new here, welcome, and thank you for subscribing! And if you’ve been with me a while, I’m grateful for your continued support. Either way, I hope you find value and actionable takeaways in today’s issue.
I never forget a face.
I’m the person who will quickly identify an actor, even if their appearance for a current role is dramatically different than their everyday look.
I can also instantly recall where I’ve met or seen someone before, whether it’s from years ago on the softball field at one of our daughter’s games, at a work conference, or even at the grocery store.
But being truly memorable is less about relying on another’s ability to recognize you and everything to do with how you make others feel.
The truth is the impression you make on someone lingers far beyond your initial encounter with them, for better or worse.
Spoiler alert: no one likes interacting or working with a jerk.
(You’re picturing that person right now, aren’t you?)
It’s human nature to want to spend time with those who leave us filling uplifted, cared for, and heard, so it makes sense to be intentional about cultivating a presence that supports that desire.
Here are six ways to be more positively memorable:
1. Be attentive
Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone while they’re looking at their phone? How did that make you feel?
When you’re an active listener (read: eye contact required!), you signal to others that you’re interested and present, and what they say matters, fostering trust and respect.
2. Be kind
When you lead with kindness, every interaction with others leaves a lasting positive impression.
Smiling at people, saying good morning, and holding the door are simple ways to express kindness. And bonus: that kindness is contagious, creating a virtuous cycle.
3. Be grateful
Don’t be afraid to demonstrate your gratitude. No one ever tires of hearing positive feedback because, sadly, most people only speak up when they have something to complain about. Be the person who regularly goes out of their way to express gratitude, sends handwritten thank-you notes (my favorite!), and offers genuine praise to everyone, from your colleagues to your barista.
4. Be helpful
The smallest gestures often carry the largest impact, especially when done without an expectation of reciprocity. For example, a simple introduction between contacts can forge a powerful new partnership and sharing your lessons learned, recommendations, and time-saving tools and hacks can assist others, helping your stand out in a positive way.
5. Be unique
Copycats and me-toos are a dime a dozen and utterly forgettable. So instead of trying to fit in, learn to stand out. You shine when you embrace and highlight what makes you different and how your uniqueness adds value and helps people. And that light will attract others to you for all the right reasons.
6. Be consistent
If you’re flaky and can’t be counted on, you’ll quickly erode trust with others. And if they can’t trust you, they’ll avoid you like the plague. Likewise, you’ll confuse people if you’re inconsistent regarding what you do and who you help. And if you confuse them, you’ll lose them. But, on the other hand, consistency demonstrates to others that you’re a reliable and trusted resource that won’t let them down.
And speaking of consistency, it’ll not only keep you top of mind for the right reasons, but it’s also an often overlooked yet powerful trait linked to career success.
In my latest Forbes article, I share four reasons why embracing it will supercharge your career.
Shine on,
Amy
P.S. You’ve let me into your inbox (I feel so honored!), so why not follow my musings across the interwebs too? Check me out on Forbes, LinkedIn (be sure to hit the 🔔 in the top right corner of my profile to get notified when I post!), Twitter, and Instagram.
P.P.S If you really want to get meta, subscribe to my new weekly LinkedIn newsletter, m o m e n t u m, featuring insights to help you maintain positive motion and continually grow your career. As a bonus, it links to ALL of my content for the week, so you’ll never miss a thing and keep the momentum going! (See what I did there? 😉)
P.P.P.S. When I’m not writing this newsletter or intentionally cultivating a positively memorable presence, I’m a social media ghostwriter. (Yep, that’s a thing). I help founders, entrepreneurs, and CXOs craft their stories to communicate and connect better by magnifying their reach and impact. (Think personal branding and thought leadership.) Learn more here.
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