You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
When you meet or talk to someone for the first time, you have a very small window of opportunity to make an impression. In fact, people make decisions on whether they like someone or not within the first 30 seconds of meeting them. You might think that this is a bit “judgmental” or that you personally don’t do that. If you think about when you meet someone for the first time, how long does it take you to decide if you like them or not?
Within a very short period of time, your customer will use their sight, hearing and feeling to decipher whether or not they are going to do business with you. Whether on the phone or face to face, your customer will be formulating a “first impression” of you. So can you influence that decision making process?
A smile is the most effective tool you have
Sales professionals, and for that matter, all professionals must be careful about how they look, what they wear and what they say. A smile is the most important thing that we must put on in the morning. Smiling is another way of giving your face a workout. There are seventy-four muscles in your face and smiling helps to exercise these muscles. I can promise you that this daily workout will not result in muscle stiffness, cramps or aches and pain! Go ahead and try it now ... ... ... 1, 2, 3, SMILE!
People like to do business with people who are happy, confident and approachable.
How much does presentation really count?
A lot! As we know, within the first 30 seconds of meeting someone you will decide if you like them or not and they will do the same.
Impressions are bases on both verbal and non-verbal. Only 15% is verbal (ie what we say). A staggering 85% is non-verbal of the decision making is based on how you look. Long before you have opened you mouth the client has made a decision. Makes you think doesn’t it?
If you are in sales of any kind, presentation is all part of the deal. A survey which measured reactions to salespersons based on their initial contact showed that 98% noticed appearance and 57% formed opinions based on appearance alone.
The top five appearance turn offs?
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Soiled or wrinkled clothes
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Un-shined shoes
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Gap between sock and trousers
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Cigarette smoking
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Chewed fingernails
“Clothes and manners do not make the man; but, when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.” - Henry Ward Beecher