The first impression is vital in every aspect of your life. Whether you’re going on a first date or you’re meeting a new potential client, the impression you leave on them in the first 5 minutes of your conversation will make all the difference in the future of your relationship. From the way you dressed to the way you started talking about your business, you need to cover all the bases and present yourself in the best light. Don’t know how o achieve that? No need to worry because we have all the basic tips to help you ace your first impression.
Practice your handshake
According to experts, a handshake is one of the most powerful body language gestures that can make or break an entire conversation. A firm handshake that’s just strong enough to shake another person’s hand without tightening around their knuckles too much is the handshake to go for. Always have your right hand free when you know you’re about to greet people, so they’re not faced with an awkward welcome. A confident handshake is a mandatory part of business etiquette for everyone who wants to leave a good first impression. So, practice your handshake daily to perfect it.
Dress for success
Following a smart business dress code is of the essence, when you aim to leave a good first impression. Pantsuits, pencil skirts, white button-down shirts, business dresses, and cigarette pants are the staple pieces every businesswoman needs to have on her dress list. When it comes to men, a suit and a tie are always welcome in the office. Alternatively, a sweater over a shirt paired with formal trousers will work too as long as you put on appropriate business footwear, such as Oxford shoes, Derby boots or Monk strap shoes. Keep the clothes clean and pressed for the ultimate business person look to show everyone how much you care about appearances.
Keep accessories on the down-low
No matter how much you like to accessorize outside the office, keep jewellery at the minimum in the office setting. Delicate stud earrings in combination with a pendant necklace that doesn’t go lower than 3-4 centimetres from the neck down and a watch are all you need to look professional and dressed up. Feel free to add one of the trendy cord bracelets to the mix when you want to add some style to your outfit. But don’t go further than that.
Think about the introductory/greeting part
If you do most of your business over the phone or video calls, you’ll need to remember the business etiquette that will make you sound professional every time. Whether you’re answering a call or waiting for somebody to pick up their phone, always start a conversation by saying Hello, followed by your name and the company you’re representing. State the reason for your call and continue the conversation from that point on. If you’re answering the call, do the same and finish with How may I help you? That’s all it takes for a caller to realise you’re professional and carrying, ready to assist them in any way. Moreover, your tone should be warm and welcoming, letting them know that you want the caller to feel comfortable and free to ask any questions, without ever thinking they might be bothering you.
Ensure spot-on digital presence
Aside from live meetings and on-call conversations, digital presence is another way to leave a good first impression. Whether for those needing your products or services or for potential associates, your website and social media presence need to be on point for them to perceive you as a reliable, successful and trustworthy business. State clearly on the website all the services/products you’re offering, provide detailed info about your beginnings, and growth. Keep your social media accounts up to date and only let creative and trustworthy people run them. You’ll want to offer your followers engaging content that clearly shows what your business is all about and how you plan on growing further. High message response rate, polite interaction with followers in the comments and active post publishing will keep you at the very top, leaving the best impression.
Leaving a good first impression will take practice, but you’ll have no trouble nailing it. As long as you follow our tips, you’ll look professional and business-oriented every step of the way. Your customers will appreciate you, and your potential associates couldn’t wait to work with you.
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