Creating the Right First Impression
Posted: Friday, April 08, 2011
by Justine Curtis
My Virtual Assistant
As the old saying goes, ‘you only get one chance to create a good first impression’. When you are running your own business, it is imperative that, within the first few seconds, anyone meeting you, or being introduced to your business, gets a great first impression.
In this article, we will give you some simple tips to ensure that the prospects you meet are impressed by you, like you and, critically, want to do business with you.
Is your blouse ironed? Are your shoes polished? It may sound immaterial, but in the eyes of your potential client, the care you take over your appearancesymbolisesthe level of care and attention-to-detail you would take over their work. If you turn up with chipped nail polish and lipstick on your teeth, they may wonder if you going to send out their letters with spelling mistakes in them, or send emails to the wrong people. Take time to check your appearance before meeting your prospects.
Oozing Confidence?
Now you’re sure you look the part, you can walk into any room with your head held high and your confidence intact. Arrive in plenty of time for any appointment, as you don’t want to be rushed. Stand up straight and tall, look the other person in the eye when introducing yourself, and don’t forget to shake hands firmly – no one likes a limp-lettuce handshake!
Are You Interested?
As well as having the opportunity to speak about yourself and your business, it is equally important to show interest in your prospect and their business activities. You will create a great first impression if you listen carefully and ask questions. By doing this, you will be able to find common points of connection, as well as identify areas where you will be able to help them professionally.
Make Yourself Clear
Make sure you are prepared for the specific situation. If you are attending a networking group, make sure you have perfected your one-minute presentation, are prepared to speak to prospects on a one-to-one basis, and have a ready answer to the inevitable question, ‘what do you do?’. If meeting a prospect who knows a little more about you and your business, make sure you are clear on what you are offering and how your service works, and be prepared to explain this in simple terms without jargon.
What Else Can You Add of Value?
When you are meeting a prospect, or attending a networking event, you will, understandably, be focused on what you can get out of the experience. But be prepared to give a little, too. This could simply involve making an introduction to another of your contacts, who may be useful to your prospect, or offering a free piece of advice or your expert opinion. Small, helpful acts like this will create a great impression and ensure that you are memorable to your prospect.
Do What You Say, When You Say You Will
It sounds obvious, but make sure you follow up. If you promise to send a contact’s details, do it! If you arrange to send more information by the end of the day, make sure you do! Nothing will kill a relationship faster than not following up by the time you say you will.
About the Author
Justine Curtis is the director of successful virtual assistant business My Virtual Assistant Limited http://www.my-va.com and is currently building a team of franchisees, details available at http://www.myvirtualassistant.co.uk.
Justine is the founder of The UK Association of Virtual Assistants (UKAVA) which offers free resources and information to its subscribers, sign up for free at http://www.ukava.co.uk. She is also the author of Setting Yourself Up As A Virtual Assistant and is passes on the benefits of her vast experience of the VA role to aspiring and progressive virtual PAs as a co-founder of the VA Success Group. If you are thinking about starting a virtual assistant business, visit vasuccessgroup.co.uk
Justine Curtis is a co-founder of Academy for Online Business, a company devoted to helping self-employed professionals and entrepreneurs to build their own online business empires. If you would like practical and informative online business training products to help you create your perfect online business, visit academyforonlinebusiness.com
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