This question comes up more than any other from people who are new to sales and building their own business. Your ability to master this skill depends largely on your personality and what type business you are in.

For example, if your business or product offering is online based with little or no face to face communication, your first impression will be dictated by your marketing and quality of your website.

However, if your business demands face-to-face meetings, there are some important steps you need to consider to properly break the ice and make a great first impression.

It takes just a quick glance for someone to begin making decisions about you. Research says we make eleven major decisions about someone in the first seven seconds of meeting.

In fact, studies have found that nonverbal cues have four times the impact on the impression you make than anything you say. So it’s worth giving every encounter your best shot.

In order to develop this skill successfully, there are three areas you need to consider: your appearance, personality and attitude.

In this session we will discuss appearance.

1. Present yourself appropriately. This does not mean you need to be dressed in a thousand dollar suit. Nor do you want to show up in shorts and a tank top when the venue demands business casual. You just need to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the event. I like to dress equal or slightly better than the best-dressed person in the room. Especially the person I will be meeting for the first time.
2. Clean and Neat. Being well groomed and wearing nicely pressed clothes are important to a great first impression. Appropriate dress and grooming will make you feel better and more confident.  A nice haircut and shined shoes will make you feel better and more confident. Take the time to check yourself in a mirror before you arrive at your meeting.
3. Ornamentation. Depending on who you are meeting and why, be conscious of your jewelry, watches and accessories. Make sure you are making the impression you want to make for this occasion. Avoid gaudy or flamboyant when meeting new people. This may not line up with your personality but a conservative approach will help you relate to more people. Save those items for a party.
4. Be conscious of how you smell. Bathe prior to a meeting and use deodorant. Do not use perfumes and colognes. Some people are sensitive to strong smells and you do not want them to be distracted from your conversation. Make sure your breath smells fresh. Bring mints or gum to avoid turning the other person off.

These things may seem simple and common sense but they could make all the difference in you making a great first impression on someone. Will you let these things stop you? I hope not.

In Part two of this session we will discuss Body Language.

Have a great week!

Pierce