Culpwrit

 

By Jill O’Mahony Stewart

Special events are wonderful. And a lot of work. Special events showcase your organization and provide networking opportunities for hosts and guests alike. Whether you are deep into your first job or your first internship, there’s a good chance you’ll be responsible for the organizing those name tags.

As a former event planner, I’ve given name tags more thought than most because I’ve observed some of the best and worst practices. These days, I’m more likely to be an attendee than the planner. But my tips are based on experiences in both roles.

Though small in size, here’s why I think name tags are a big deal.

SIZE DOES MATTER

Names in large type can be read across the room. Maybe it’s a former classmate you don’t recognize. Maybe it’s a VIP you want to meet. The size of the font for the name and professional affiliation is a quick intro to someone from afar.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Lanyards are fine for media events or backstage access, but your name badge hanging on your belly at a cocktail reception is not ideal.

We shake hands with our right hand. The name tag should be affixed to our right shoulder with a pin, clip, or magnet, so whenever we shake our new best friend’s hand, they can read our name tag and we can read theirs at the same time.

TYPOS OFFEND, SPELLING COUNTS

O’Mahony” not O’Mahoney. “Stewart” not Steward. I’ve endured both. Thankfully, “Jill” isn’t a problem.

Proof everything. It’s my simplest, most effective advice.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

If you are at a networking event, your purpose is to expand your network. Being able to associate the name and the face of new contacts is invaluable. Name tags also enable you to facilitate introductions to people you’ve just met.

Maybe you are reconnecting. At my stage of life, there are a lot of reunions. Good name tags – with large type, spelled correctly – grease the wheels of reconnection.

MAKE THE EFFORT WORTHWHILE

⦁ Name tags aren’t cheap and the staff time and effort to print, stuff, and organize them shouldn’t be wasted.
⦁ Similarly, if it’s a paid event and a guest shows up to no pre-printed name tag on the table, you are missing an opportunity to make a good first impression.
⦁ Did you do a quality-control check comparing your guest list with the printed tags? If not, why not?
⦁ Display them facing outward in alphabetical order, A-Z from left to right, the way we read English. As obvious as this tip is, I’ve seen it done the opposite way which was both complicated and confusing to guests.
⦁ Have enough people at the registration table for the crowd you are expecting; divide the tags into roughly equal alphabetical groupings. There’s no buzzkill like waiting in a long line to get into your fabulously planned event because attendees can’t get their name badge quickly enough.
⦁ And don’t forget to recycle the plastic holders. Guests are happy to drop them off on their way out. Reuse them next time.

THESE ARE NOT NEW IDEAS

In his timeless “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” Dale Carnegie affirms the value of networking, though we didn’t call it that in his day.

Here are a few of his classic tips:

⦁ Call people by their name. Good, visible name tags help reinforce the names and connect them to the faces of new friends.
⦁ Make eye contact. This is good advice for all conversations with friends new and old.
⦁ Have a firm handshake. In addition to looking people in the eye, a firm handshake is a solid gesture. Post-Covid, we’re back to this time-honored tradition of greeting new acquaintances and expanding our network of colleagues and professional friends.

I recognize that many events are run by volunteers: thanks for your service, folks. But even so, don’t volunteer-run events owe their guests their best – especially if they hope to turn those guests into donors or volunteers? Ditch the “HELLO my name is” and the Sharpies.

A well-placed, properly spelled, legible name tag, coupled with a firm handshake and solid eye contact, will enhance your networking and your network. And the right tag will save embarrassment when an honored guest shows up to find theirs misspelled, or even worse: missing altogether!

Jill O’Mahony Stewart is a writing teacher, coach, and an adjunct faculty member of both DePaul University’s College of Communication and the School for Continuing and Professional Studies. She holds an M.S. from Boston University in public relations and an M.A. from DePaul University’s School for New Learning. She loves helping students and young professionals improve their writing skills.