In my work I am constantly assessing and advising people on their personal brands and it has become increasingly obvious to me that the first minute or so of a business encounter is scarily important in crafting the impression you make. I know that’s not fair and almost shallow but still true.

You know you make a first impression but the key concern is, do you  make an intentional impression or an accidental one? How aware are you of your initial impact? How much time have you spent discovering what people think of you when they meet you? Have you a realistic view of your impact?

When you meet people you make a sweeping observation of them, assessing a range of things including:

Level 1: their appearance: clothes, grooming, shoes, hair.

Level 2: their vitality: type of handshake, voice, energy levels.

Level 3: level of interest: their openness, how articulate they are, hoe engaging they are.

Level 4:  level of self absorption: do they ask questions, do they notice you or is it all about them!

We live in a very busy world, among people with short attention spans, so you can’t afford to mess up the first time as there is no second chance. Be careful that you don’t come across, inadvertently, as untidy, “weak handshaked”, in articulate, and full of yourself!

Do your best to make an intentional impression. Take control. I‘ve put together a number of rules to guide you make you intentionally impressive and memorable within minutes. Over to you.

Rule number 1: Always look your best

In business there is no off day for your appearance, so you need to craft a smart look that suits your line of business. Grooming is very important and people , especially women, noitice details like dirty nails and unwashed hair.

Rule number 2: Take the pressure of you.

When you meet people make it all about them. Ask them questions, be curious and open about them. Find out what they do, what they want, what interests them. If we listen others tell us how to impress them.

Rule number 3: Listen more than you talk

Remember we have two ears, two eyes and one mouth.  Don’t just wait until they pause so you can rush in to tell them all about you. Respond to what they say. Make yourself relevant to them.

Rule number 4: Prepare well

Be clear about what you want people to think. This is harder than you think. Short, concise, engaging is hard to do but worth it.

Rule number 5: Write eight words that you want people to use when they leave you.

You need to start with them; the impression is all about them. So when you are a good listener and attentive to them  they will describe you as:

Interesting, good listener, curious, likeable, approachable, open to my ideas, useful to me, a relationship builder.

When you make it all about you they will describe you as:

Self-focused, Opinionated, Driven, Pushy, Closed, Certain, Going places, Too sales focused.

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Rule number 6: Create a SHORT positioning statement in advance

Do this to showcase what you are good at and explain the benefits to people of doing business with you. It must be concise, engaging, and tell a story. I use this one:

“I work with working women to build their professional personal brand and when we are finished they have a Big Audacious Aim, the plan to get it, the confidence to build their business and a memorable and impressive presence to underpin it all.”

Rule number 7 Be confident and fake it until you make it

People take you at your own estimation of your value so be truly confident in your personality, appearance, skills and abilities. If you have taken care over your appearance, fine-tuned your listening skills and carefully prepared your pitch you now need to up the energy levels and act confidently.