Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Seattle 2.0, and imported to GeekWire as part of our acquisition of Seattle 2.0 and its archival content. For more background, see this post.

By Andy Sack

I just got off the phone with an entrepreneur named Jimmy Hendricks. Too funny. The first 10 minutes of the call were all about what it was like to go through life with the name of a rock legend.  He told me it was a great icebreaker for an entrepreneur. He told me that he was able to get return phone calls from people who thought their fraternity brother was calling or people who thought they already knew him. I called him back even though I was busy because I wasn’t going to pass up the chance to talk to Jimmy Hendrix (cks) ! 
This phenomena got me to thinking — I bet it’s a big advantage to be able to call someone and say it’s Bill Gates or George Bush or Elvis Presley calling. I bet you’re call back rate and conversion rate are much higher than if you’re Joe Smith. It’s simple. I’m not suggesting you go change your name — I am suggesting you think of simple things that can help you get through breaking the ice when calling or emailing someone you don’t yet know. 
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