There are certain people that we remember. They come to mind for good and bad reasons. What sets a person apart from the rest of the crowd? Why are certain people forgotten quickly after we meet them and others continue to stay in our mind? Be bigger than life and make sure people will remember you for the right reasons.

1. Always shake a person’s hand. Not enough people make a point to shake hands. Use a firm grip, but not overwhelming. Show the person you’re happy to see them.

2. Do things that people don’t expect. Try doing something that others won’t expect. Buy them a cup of coffee or a treat before you meet with them; have it ready when they arrive. Give them a plant or other small token for them to remember the meeting by.

3. Remember birthdays. People may not say they don’t care, but it’s always nice to be remembered on a birthday. Social media makes it easy to track people’s birthdays these days. Dropping people a quick e-mail is easy. Mailing them a card is even better.

4. Remember the last conversation you had with someone. Tie in the last conversation you had with the person. Show you remember them, that you were listening, and that you care about what was said.

5. Remember names. There’s nothing a person hates more than you getting their name wrong. If you’re not sure, ask their name, don’t guess. Doing this once is fine, but don’t forget the next time around.

6. Take time to ask about the person. Always ask “What’s new?” or “What is going on with you recently?”. Then take the time to listen.

7. Show you really care about someone. Focus on the person when they are talking. Make eye contact. Don’t get caught up in distractions. You should give your 100% undivided attention to the person you are talking “with” not “to”. Trust me they’ll know the difference if you’re not paying attention.

8. Be interested in the other person rather than yourself. Keep the conversation moving in the other person’s direction. Balance any conversation in favor of discussion about the other person. Make the person you are meeting with feel special. Treat each person as if they are the most important person you know. For the moment they are.

9. Tell an interesting story. The current daily news updates are always a good place to get material. Tell something light and funny if possible. A good story is a great meeting ice breaker. But make sure to keep your material fresh. Nobody likes to hear the same old story time and again.

10. Be positive. Everyone likes a positive person. Don’t focus on the problems you’re facing, but instead talk about the positive things going on in your life. Use a positive tone when talking about the person you’re with; give them a chance to mention recent accomplishments or experiences. Then, focus on those positive events going on in the other person’s life in your conversation.

It’s easy to be remembered by people. Just put a little energy and focus into it. Think about it, are you a person who you’d like to meet? Take the steps above and make sure you are.