Allow me to be bold.
If there’s one thing you don’t want to fuck up, it’s the first impression.
And below you’ll find some advice on exactly how to master the first impression.
This is taken from a sales advice book I’m writing and will be releasing within the next two months. This isn’t about mastering the first impression in a casual setting but rather a business setting; please note the distinction.
Now I know the thought of salespeople might give you the heebie-jeebies but it shouldn’t, every time you introduce yourself or your art to the world, you are a salesperson so hopefully, this advice will help.
I’m posting this on here to get some feedback, but also I think it may serve as a good reminder.
As always, please like, share and give me your feedback. What first impression advice do you have?
-ATRW
Humans make snapshot judgements.
Think to a time when you were out in public, saw someone you didn’t know and instantly liked them.
“Would you look at her, she seems really confident.”
“Look at him, he seems so happy; It looks like he’s having fun!”
Now conversely, think to a time when you were out in a public, saw someone who you didn’t like and were all judgey and emo towards.
“Get a load of this fucking guy”
Yeah…. it happens.
As a salesperson, if there’s one thing you don’t want to fuck up, it’s your first impression… no pressure.
I mean come on, it’s the FIRST IMPRESSION, it’s called FIRST for a reason.
The first impression is you doing everything in your power to avoid a Homer Simpson D’oh!
It’s the make or break moment in the sale, the moment that gives you a competitive advantage or sends the prospect into another sarcastic eye roll.
The good news is the first impression is a two-way street, in fact if you’re good, you can even influence the first impression.
Mastering the first impression starts with vanity. Ask yourself these questions.
- Do I look good?
- Am I dressed correctly?
- Are my nails cut?
- Do I have stains on my shirt?
- Are my shoes tied?
- Do I have any shit in my teeth?
- Is my hair combed?
- Do I feel confident?
We’re vain people, we’re vain! You need look the part of a sales professional not the part of someone who rolled out of bed (Yes this happens) Looking the part can only help you, again people make snapshot judgments.
The second part of the first impression boils down to your attitude, your conversational skills, and your people reading skills.
You want your attitude to be positive and confident. This typically gives the impression that you’re a good person, and not a blood thirsty salesperson.
You want your conversational skills to be dialed in. Always start with a compliment or relevant question.
- I want to thank you for meeting me.
- How are you doing today?
- Did you have a good weekend?
If you notice anything that personally interests you l (A lot of companies have sports memorabilia in the office, or maybe a hobby interest, gymnastics, art, fishing) make a comment about that.
“Hey did you see the game last night?” “I see you fish, I enjoy that too.” “Hey, that’s a pretty cool watch you have.”
Whatever is true, say what is true, this is a way to show that you’re a real person who has a life and can relate instead of having your business blinders on blindly throwing up your brochures. Simple comments like this gives you the opportunity to showcase your authentic personality and ultimately reinforce your first impression.
Lastly you want to utilize your people reading skills.
If someone seems open and happy, you can tend to be more relaxed, rapport may be easier. If someone seems more closed, you might need to work on building rapport. Recognizing what your prospect may be feeling can only help you and guide you as what you should talk about.
Bottom line, when it comes to mastering the first impression, think about your kindergarten principles. Be kind, be nice, smile, ask questions about other people, be confident, use manners. Conversation is a two-way street, never forget that. Mastering a good first impression, will increase your ability to make the sale.
You absolutely have to nail the first impression, it’s the easiest way to build momentum and make the whole sales process much easier. Throughout my sales career, I’ve always relied on a sense of humor to break the ice, typically a joke about the weather or current event. How are you doing today? : “oh I feel like Jack Frost has finally nipped my toes” or something cheeky like that. My entire goal is to lighten then tension and come off like a real person not just another voice. The reason I use a sense of humor is because in real life, that’s a quality I admire so I try to show it off. Whatever your authentic personality is, try to show it off, *with manners* and that may be a way to help you master a great first impression.
I agree with you one hundred percent. As a former police officer, 99.9% of an issue could be curtailed if you looked squared away, looked and sounded confident, and so forth. The cops who had the biggest issues who were the one’s who didn’t looked like slobs, needed to loose a few dozen pounds, and while they acted tough, their entire demeanor proclaimed to the world that it was just an act.
Awesome man thank you! I’m the son of a police officer so I appreciate your service!
Pretty cool. Thank your dad or mom for their service also. So far, I’m the only one in the family that ever strapped on a gun and pinned on a badge and went out there.
Thanks to all who serve ❤️💙
I don’t know anything about sales but I don’t follow any of these rules. I personally hate that the world is so vain and self absorbed that I downplay my looks on purpose. I DON’T want anyone to like me because I’m cute or because my clothes are nice. I couldn’t care less about first impressions and if someone was to decide they don’t like me because I wear flip flops and socks that’s just fine with me. It helps to weed out the wrong type of people.
While on a personal level I do agree with everything you’re saying, yes you want people to like you for being 100% you and the people that do will always like you for the real you and not the glam you, in my opinion in business you need to always put your best foot forward . The rules aren’t set in stone, but in general there’s a “business dress code” and “dance” we all have to learn in certain fields. I still favor being yourself, I just thing I you need to present yourself the best way possible while being yourself.
I get ya but I’m not interested in the whole dog and pony show. If I was to dress up in order to please a boss or potential boss it would make me feel like shit and be fake as fuck too. Like I said before I can’t speak on sales and my comment was on a personal level. It just feels gross to have to sale yourself in order to get ahead. I’m not willing to pimp myself out for any amount of money. Trust me if I wanted to take the easy rode twenty years ago I could have. I could have found a way but it wasn’t worth it to me. There are some beautiful people who get ahead for no other reason than they are beautiful. I personally think that’s disgraceful. I know it isn’t like putting on a nice tie and a fake smile, but there is something to be said about a person who doesn’t use looks to get ahead.
Oh yeah forsure, mad respect, yeah I don’t think many people like when people exploit their natural beauty to get ahead however yeah this was just saying it’s human nature to judge a book by its cover, so if you’re in the business of introducing yourself to people, you want your cover to look halfway decent
I understand. I am just not a fan of the way the world works and do my damnedest to rally against it. My stepmom would tell me all the time that I can’t fight the system, things were a certain way and there was nothing I could do to change it. My response was always why. Why do we all agree to play by these rules? Why do things that don’t work? And if they don’t work then why the fuck don’t we change it? She always thought I was a hot head and a trouble maker but I am simply passionate in ways that most of the world isn’t. Even if we were forced to comply and dress accordingly I would probably be shot or locked up. Oh well. Not complaining about your post just the world as a whole sucks out loud.
Oh no I feel exactly what you’re saying, I respect your ability to think for yourself and question things — that’s a true sign of intelligence
I never really thought about that equaling intelligence. I did question it the other day though. I was watching an on old episode of Bones and she was talking to Fisher about him sleeping for two months. She said a lot of really smart people get to feeling that way. She worded it better but that was the jist of it. Most of my life I just figured I was a complainer. Since most people didn’t agree with me it made me wonder if I was the odd duck since nothing seemed to bother anyone else. Honestly it bothers me that most people aren’t bothered. I don’t feel odd anymore but I do get annoyed that no one else seems to be annoyed when things are ass backwards.
Haha I keep thinking how I should have taken my first impression of my recent ex-boyfriend seriously. We met at a salsa dance club and at first he impressed me by acting humble when he was talking about his job. Then we danced, and it all went downhill from there. He stopped dancing and started telling me I was doing it wrong. He was the one in the wrong and was trying to take the focus off of his lack of skills by trying to blame me and then even TEACH me incorrectly. It left such a bad taste in my mouth that I avoided him the rest of the night.
Unfortunately I had already given him my number 😬😬
So he contacted me annnnd I brushed off the first impression because I wanted to believe it would work. Boy was I wrong.
Fast forward two months and I’m single and happy and free. 1ST IMPRESSIONS MATTER 💓💓🙌
Oh my!! Well cheers to fresh starts!
Really helpful tips. A first impression is very important.
Yessir!
Great dialogue coming out of this post. I can appreciate all of the well thought out viewpoints here.
It’s fun isn’t it!
The different POV are the best; I’ve often engaged in conversations that are way longer than the original post.
First impressions are very important; however, some of us know the soul of a person with a first look in the eyes 😂 #SoLongFirstImpression
In seriousness, the first interaction with someone does leave a lasting impression. Speaking in terms of professionalism, I’ve recently learned beginning and ending of the day’s events most stand out in one’s mind. Those hours are best to be remembered.
That’s a really good point, thanks for sharing!!!
I interview caregivers daily and this is very important yet so overlooked in the homecare industry.
It really is, like I said, people are vain!
You had me at the first sentence!
Wonderful! So happy you liked it
Nice post and I do agree with you and those people who said the first impression is not worth, I agree with you but to a certain limit as of when we walk out of the house for jobs… Then hell yeah you need to nail the first impression rather than just going in a meeting while wearing boxers.
It’s all about the place, people and what job asks for…
As most people I’m an unconsciously humorous person, never deliberate. Perhaps state your reason for choosing humor (because you admire it in others) before the example of Jack frost. Better flow, reads better, less of an eyeroll from people who just aren’t as gregarious as you. In other words: it makes it sound achievable.
We’re vain! Love that comment. I believe it’s just as important as “say what is true”. It should be in italics as well.
Hmm. And these are the points that stuck out to me. All the best on publishing!
-Neru
Wonderful, thank you for the feedback! Yeah I really appreciate what you said, and will be making the changes.
That was such an elaborated advice, I really liked reading it. No doubt why the saying holds good “The first impression if often the last impression”
.
Great work! Thank you for sharing. 😄
So pumped happy you liked it! If you like advice like that my first book will hopefully be dropping in the next 30 days- it’s just practical no bullshit advice delivered in a humorous way
That’s amazing you’re on the way to publish it! Best wishes for the book and the future. 😊
I am glad I found your blog. It’s rare to find “honest satire” here. 😂
Hahah touché! Happy you dig it
Excellent tips. Leaving a bad impression is far worse than leaving no impression at all.
Thanks for reading, so happy you enjoyed
Good tips, it’s important to understand that this does not necessarily shadows your personality, you just need to find a way to merge together.
This coming from someone who has nuked her audience a few times over the years 😀