Don’t be rude: A hint of self-deprecation will make sure no one forgets you

A journalist I respect recently wrote that when he met industry leaders at a conference in America, he made a joke about being the “token Australian”.

As a joke, it’s not particularly funny, but he was wise enough to know that’s not the point.

When he emailed the people he’d met a week later to try and cement the meeting, he repeated the joke he’d made when he met them (“You might not remember me, but I’m the guy who made the joke about…”)

From an industry get-together where everyone met dozens of people from across the world, every single person he emailed remembered him.

It’s a handy trick I’m sure will work a treat no matter what your industry is.