If ​​you’ve been watching Ms Represented on ABC with Annabel Crabb (#girlcrush) you know that executive women not being seen, heard or valued often comes down to bias and sexism. (Great show, amazing interviews with influential women. Skillfully produced.)

​​But even if that’s the case, there are always things we can do to improve our own performance.

In June I hosted a webinar with P​​​enny Terry, former ABC journo, and we explored the issue of what goes wrong when don’t understand how to ensure we are memorable. Not being memorable often feels like you are banging your head against a brick wall. Your projects might be working and everything appears great, but decision makers don’t really care, and can lead to you being ignored and lacking real influence despite delivering strong results.

​​Some of it comes down to personal branding. Harnessing your brand then instilling your brand with personality is powerful, but knowing how to leverage your brand will make you more memorable.

In a world where Australian women have only just reached 30% representation on top company boards, it’s even more important to ensure your voice is heard, to be impactful in your work, and to be memorable in your field. Here are five practical tactics to help you become more memorable as well as gain in influence and impact.

1. OWN YOUR OWN AWESOME

And definitely dare to be different. Sometimes we try to hide the things that make us stand out. Instead, leverage these differences for strategic impact. Just ask branding expert, Sally Hogshead. Using over 10 years of research, she ​​developed the Fascinate test, a personal branding quiz to help define your most unique qualities – because your differences make you memorable. If you’re one of few women in a group of men, don’t try to blend in. Instead, be the red jacket in a sea of grey! It’s easier to be memorable when you create your own category.

2. TO RHYME IS SUBLIME

No more boring slide decks or report writing from you! Make your email subject lines, report and presentation headings far more memorable with a rhyme or two. It may sound childish, but it’s actually science.

“Rhymes boost what linguists and cognitive scientists call ‘processing fluency’, the ease with which our minds slice, dice, and make sense of stimuli” as Dan Pink reminds us in To Sell is Human.

Next time you’re brainstorming a catchy title, channel your inner Dr Seuss and carefully craft the perfect catchphrase. (Alliteration also works! 😎)

3. TRY THE RULE OF THREE

Have you ever noticed when reading an article or report, that somehow your mind seems to grab onto lists when they’re presented in threes? That’s because our brains recognise patterns, and groupings of three are memorable, rhythmic and satisfying. Use the rule of three in your own verbal presentations and writing and you’ll find:

1. Not only is this easier for you to remember but
2. The audience feels safer when listening to you and
3. Is more likely remember what you said as well.

4. CONSISTENCY TRUMPS FREQUENCY

I’m like a broken record on this point, but I do it to ensure you remember. Find the Goldilocks sweet spot – not too much, not too little, but just right.

Some leaders think you should only have to say something once and people should remember.

“I’ve said it before and I’m not saying it again.”

Unfortunately in an attention deficit world this doesn’t work. Instead, you need to ensure your ideas and opinions are repeatable, reinforceable and able to be linked back to you.

Where others go wrong is that they think that getting their IP and opinion out there as often as possible is the best way to be heard. But when your visibility is too frequent you become bland like wallpaper – easy to ignore. People switch off.

Instead, replace frequency with consistency. On brand, visibility delivers far more bang for its buck. Use repeatable key messages and themes that amplify your message and align with your brand. Be sure to mix it up the delivery every now and then so you don’t become boring. But stay on message. Consistency creates sticking power. Also apply it on LinkedIn, networking events and strategic visibility in the corridors of power.

5. CREATE A LASTING IMPRESSION

When you leave the room at the end of a long meeting, do you remember the points made in the middle, or are you thinking about the last five minutes? Too often in our enthusiasm, we jump in and try to be heard far too early in the debate when a considered wrap up might be more effective. Instead of pushing to have a say at the start of the conversation, take control of the outcome. Teach yourself to have the final say in meetings. Learn the art of summarising, pulling it all together and then make the killer point.

DROP ME A NOTE – What techniques have you found to help you become more memorable?