» auteur: Valerie Hayes

You know you’re good at your business but are you communicating that in your first impression? Here are a few tips to make sure you’ve covered your bases.

1. Always maintain good eye contact. Okay, I know you’ve heard this one before, but I bet you’re not actually doing it. I’ve found that few people have the self-discipline to maintain good eye contact. The simplest way to improve is to make a point of establishing eye contact every time you have a conversation with someone. I practice this technique almost everywhere I go: at the bank, the dry cleaners, the pharmacy, etc. This is one of those cases where practice really does make perfect. Notice how often you look up or away during a conversation and then make a commitment to improve. Now I’m not saying you should stare intently as if you’re memorizing their face so you can stalk them later. Maintain a pleasant expression and give the person the sense that you think they’re important and worth your time and attention. If you practice in non-client situations, maintaining eye contact with your clients or potential clients will become an easy and natural habit.

2. Try to at least look relaxed. When you’re building your interviewing communications skills you’re naturally going to be a little nervous at first. Maybe you’re approaching your very first client or perhaps it’s a big potential client you would really like to impress. I guarantee one thing: if you look nervous you will not make an impression as a successful expert in your field. Try to at least look relaxed. Relax your shoulders, breath slowly. Use some small hand gestures to give the appearance of being relaxed and confident (please don’t make huge, broad hand gestures that look like you’re flagging down an airplane!). If you look relaxed, you’ll feel more relaxed, and be better able to impress your potential client.

3. Repeat the person’s name within your first two sentences. Here’s another one you’ve probably heard before but aren’t really doing either. There is no word more precious to your listener than their own name. If you use it quickly after the introduction, chances are that you’ll actually remember it for this and future conversations. Try to use their name several times during the conversation if you can. Then repeat their name to yourself as you walk away. Repetition really is the easy way to remember your new client’s name.

4. Make sure you’re ready with your interviewing content. Unless you’re one of those unusually talented people who always knows exactly what to say in every situation you’ll need to have some interviewing content in your back pocket. What is interviewing content? It consists of standard answers or bullet points to use when being asked typical, anticipated questions about your business or service. If you have a strategy about what you want to communicate about your business you’ll sound like the competent expert your potential client so desperately needs.

5. Close with a solid exit. Now that you’ve made the best possible impression it’s time to leave in an equally impressive fashion. Be the first to extend your hand, look them directly in the eye, say what a pleasure it was to meet them, and let them know how and when you’ll be following up. And make sure you’ve got a good handshake. (Don’t laugh, but I’ve actually made people practice their handshake.) Avoid a crushing handshake or, even worse, a limp fish handshake. Make sure you know that you’re closing comments and handshake are communicating your expertise as a top-notch professional.

Utilizing these five simple rules for making a good impression will enable you to meet anyone with confidence and quickly impress potential clients. Best wishes for success!

Valerie Hayes is one of the country's most sought after interviewing communications experts. She teaches small business owners, coaches, consultants, and solo-entrepreneurs to use interviewing communications skills and techniques to better market themselves and their businesses. She has been featured several times on national television as an interviewing communications expert. Please visit her website at http://www.HayesSuccess.com