How To Name Drop Your Way To Success – Marketing Blog

How To Name Drop Your Way To Success

Name dropping is a strategy that can be used effectively or can be the source of a lot of suspicion, derision and just plain contempt.

Unfortunately, most people do not know how to make use of name dropping to best advantage. The result is that they employ the method all wrong and end up turning off a lot of people who would be able to help them otherwise.

Let’s spend some time talking about what name dropping is, how to use it effectively, and things you should avoid when making use of this technique.

WHAT IS NAME DROPPING?

Essentially, name dropping is the act of mentioning the name of someone that you believe will create a positive impression on a listener. This expectation is normally fueled by several assumptions:

• The listener will be familiar with and appreciative of the person named.
• The listener will be impressed that you have some connection to the person.
• The listener will assume that because you know the person named, you must have something on the ball too.
• The listener further assumes that this connection of yours can be used to mutual advantage.

Name dropping is a social devise that is employed in all sorts of settings. People at parties mention they know others who are well thought of in the social circle. The devise can help to bestow a degree of social prominence.

In the business world, name dropping provides much of the same impact. If people believe you know someone who is prominent in a given field, they will tend to look at you with a little more respect, and may be willing to interact with you in ways that would not be possible otherwise.

USING NAME DROPPING EFFECTIVELY

The key to effective use of name dropping can be caught up in two basic principles. First, use the device sparingly. Second, make it a natural part of the conversation.

When attending an event, mentioning you know someone can help to open doors. However, mentioning several someones within the course of a few minutes will quickly negate any good will you have acquired. To avoid this, limit how many names you drop in any one conversation. One or two will do the trick nicely. You can always drop other names at a later time.

Along with keeping the number of names you drop to a minimum, make sure there is a logical reason to introduce the name into the flow of conversation.

This can often be accomplished by referencing something the individual once said to you. If the quote has relevance to the current conversation, it will fit in very nicely and not appear to be a shameless attempt to cash in on someone else’s good name.

THINGS TO AVOID

Along with not dropping too many names in one setting and making sure the name dropping fits neatly into the conversation, watch your tone and body language when mentioning the name. The idea is to keep the banter light and on an even keel.

Raising your voice slightly when mentioning a name is really telling your audience “I don’t know squat myself, but look who I know!”. That will not get the result you want.

Don’t exaggerate with hand gestures or other movements that are not part of your normal body movements during any conversation. That just makes the entire thing look fake, and will brand you as a fake as well.

Keep things simple and natural, or your name dropping will lead to big problems for you.

CONCLUSION

Name dropping is part of the game. But make sure you have some game of your own in the first place. Otherwise, you will simply come off looking like a fool.

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