How to stand out without trying too hard
Read time: 5 minutes
A while ago, I was at a workshop where we started by going around the room and introducing ourselves: name, title, company, summary of what we do.
Halfway through, I realised I could barely remember most of the introductions I'd heard so far. Not because the people weren't impressive, but because so many of them sounded almost identical.
But there were a couple of people I could still remember afterwards. Not because they said or did anything profound, but because they'd introduced themselves by leading with what they cared about and what made them different.
Being "memorable" isn't something you either have or you don't; there are definitely things to make it easier.
1. Don't introduce yourself like a LinkedIn headline
Most of us default to job title.
"I'm a strategy consultant at X." (I was definitely guilty of this!)
"I'm a founder working on Y." (And this)
"I'm a manager at Z."
There's nothing wrong with that, but titles immediately put us into categories, and categories are easy to forget.
What sticks is what you actually do: the problem you solve, the thing you care about, or the outcome you're creating.
Try this: The next time someone asks what you do, explain the problem you help solve before giving them your title.
2. Give people something specific to remember
One thing those two people at the workshop did differently was share something very specific about themselves.
Not their whole CV, just a detail or short story that gave an insight into them as a person. It makes people interesting and gives our brains something to hold onto.
Try this: When introducing yourself, share one relevant detail that someone couldn't learn just by reading your LinkedIn profile.
3. Have a point of view people can repeat
Some of the most "memorable" people I can think of weren't the loudest or most talkative but when they spoke, they had something interesting to say.
A clear view about their work, industry, or how a certain problem should be approached. Over time, other people start referencing those ideas.
I think that's a really great form of presence.
Reflection: If someone had to describe how you think in one sentence, what would you want them to say?
4. Make yourself easy to describe
I've learnt this through building my own personal brand.
You can be doing lots of interesting things, but if nobody understands how they fit together, you become harder to remember, and even harder to refer.
The people who stick in our minds are easy to describe as we understand what they're about. That doesn't mean reducing yourself to one thing, it just means giving people a clear thread they can follow.
Try this: Ask someone who knows you well to describe what you're known for in a sentence, and see how closely it matches what you'd say yourself.
5. Become known for something consistently
Ultimately, being memorable isn't about delivering the perfect introduction, it's more about what happens afterwards.
How you show up; what you care about. Eventually, that "pattern" becomes your reputation. It's why we naturally describe people as:
"She's brilliant at raising capital."
"He always stays calm under pressure."
"They're the person for figuring out a marketing strategy"
That's a personal brand in its simplest form.
Reflection: What would you love people to consistently associate with you?
The takeaway
Being memorable isn't about being the loudest or most polished. It's about making it easy for people to understand you, what you care about and what you're particularly good at.
People won't remember everything you tell them. But give them a few clear things to associate with you, and they'll remember far more than you think.
And often, that's what makes your name come up when the right opportunity appears.
Speak soon,
Dupé
PS: If you’d like deeper support in showing up confidently and growing your personal brand, reply to this email to explore 1:1 coaching or ready to post content. And if you' like to book me to speak make an enquiry here
