Use These 3 Strategies to Optimize Your First Impression

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Your first impression is critical. It’s probably the most important component of the selling and promotion process.

So what should you be thinking about as you design your first impression?

Visual appearance

It’s surprising how many people I see who just don’t pay attention to their appearance. I can personally attest to the power of style and aesthetics.

I used to have no sense of style at all. When I started dressing better and actually paying attention to how I was looking, people looked at me more, they were more willing to talk to me, and the conversations lasted longer.

People will react differently to you based on what you show them visually.

Think about your clothing, accessories (watch, bracelet, necklace, earrings, etc), hairstyle, facial hair (for men), shoes, jacket, hats, and tattoos. All of these, or lack of them, add up to a certain style or “look.”

Decide what kind of look you want to present. It could be a formal lawyer look, a young urban look, a hipster techie look, etc.

You must also consider your overall physical fitness and clear skin. In some fields that will be irrelevant, in others it will be essential to be in good shape (like personal training or nutrition).

But in almost all cases being clean, healthy-looking and well-groomed will help you convey authority and trustworthiness on first impression.

Enthusiastic and positive attitude

The first impression is your chance to establish yourself as confident and professional. You should be excited and passionate about your business. If you aren’t excited about it, nobody else will be.

Regularly remind yourself of what you are in this business for. Take care of your health and happiness by doing things you love and making sure you still believe in your work.

Check in with yourself periodically to see if you are still on your purpose.

Spend time with people you like and enjoy, people who help you to grow and advance.

All of these lifestyle and mindset shifts will help you maintain a positive attitude about your business.

By continuously renewing your positive energy and remaining focused on excellence and quality in your work, you will automatically leave a great first impression on everyone you meet.

It won’t be a struggle to “put on a smile,” it will just come naturally. This positive vibe will draw people in and make them fascinated by you.

Knowledge and expertise

You need to be constantly studying up on your field, researching and learning.

On first impression, when you meet someone new, it will be clear if you know what you’re talking about or not.

There should not be a single question that you can’t answer in your niche.

People that are extremely knowledgeable about their subject are filled with information and enthusiastically express that information at the drop of a hat.

If you find yourself kind of quiet or reserved in these situations, then that means you are either in the wrong field, or you have more to learn.

Knowledge and expertise gives you the confidence to speak up and educate others.

When you put together a great visual appearance, enthusiasm and a positive attitude, and a ton of knowledge and expertise, you have the makings of an excellent first impression.

Justin Aquino