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First Impressions More Than A Smile
Being in the first impression business, your focus most likely has been on creating the best possible marketing materials for your clients. . . That represent them and their brand in the most spectacular way. That is excellent and the way it should be. . . however, there are other areas which influence first impressions and this is what I want to share with you today.
We have all heard the phrases about first impressions, “you only get one chance to create a great first impression,” and “you don’t get a second chance to create a first impression,” the list goes on and on. These quotes all make sense, but what is a first impression?
According to yourdictionary.com, a first impression is what a person thinks of you when they first meet you. It is the feeling that they get or the initial evaluation that a person does of you when they first meet you. It can be done during a glance, a conversation or even from a distance when someone is looking at your body language. Eye contact or lack thereof can also have an impact on a first impression.
Have you ever heard the saying "It's not what you say but rather how you say it?" This statement alone speaks volumes and can make or break a first impression. Sometimes the way in which a person delivers the sentence or statements that they are saying is a complete deal breaker regarding the first impression that they give. So, you should definitely be mindful of how you deliver your statements.
Merriam-Webster defines the legal definition of first impression as a noun first im·pres·sion: first consideration or judgment; while the Urban Dictionary says it is “how you present yourself in the meeting of a new person.”
Whatever definition you use, there are several areas you and your clients may want to pay particular attention to when thinking about that first impression. How do we ensure we are doing our best to create that first impression? A good start would be to take a close look at the following areas (in no particular order). You are aware of the first three, listen to our past podcasts to learn about the others:
- Business Cards (print and digital)
- Advertising and Promotional Materials
- Web Site
- The Headshot (Listen to Podcast)
- The Handshake (Listen to Podcast)
- Your Attire (Listen to Podcast)
- Your Hygiene (Listen to Podcast)
- Punctuality (Listen to Podcast)
- Be Yourself (Listen to Podcast)
- Face to Face Networking (Listen to Podcast Part I)
- Face to Face Networking (Listen to Podcast Part II)
- Provide Value (Listen to Podcast)
- Confidence (Listen to Podcast)
- Be Responsive (Listen to Podcast)
- Be Prepared (Listen to Podcast)
- Face to Face Networking (Listen to Podcast Part III)
Cheers,
Barry "Custom-Designed Digital Business Card" Donovan