It might not be fair, but odds are a person is going to make judgments about you in the first few seconds after you meet them. The old saying, ""don't judge a book by its cover,"" doesn't necessarily apply to a face-to-face meeting for the first time. The conclusions people draw about you might not be set in stone, and you might be able to change them given enough time, but they're still going to be made whether you like it or not, so why not make sure those first impressions are good ones?
The first thing anyone will notice about you is your appearance. As you're walking up to them they're going to look at you and draw conclusions. The way you dress to the way you walk and the type of body language you're giving off are all going to be considered.
The things you have the most control over are those you should make sure are perfect. Wearing the right kind of clothing is very important. If it's a business meeting or interview make sure you have your business suit on. Other situations might call for a different style. Take note of the type of people you're going to be meeting and figure out what the most appropriate kind of clothing is going to be.
The body language can be a little more difficult depending on whether or not you're nervous. There are a number of various books out there about ways to calm yourself down. Look up different techniques to put yourself in a good state of mind. You don't want to be fidgeting or showing other signs of nervousness. You want to show them you're confident and comfortable.
Of course, a first impression extends to more than just your appearance. Be aware of what you're going to talk about ahead of time. Uncomfortable or awkward silences put both people on edge. What you talk about will obviously depend on the situation. You're going to have to be aware of exactly what kind of point you intend to make. Cover all the issues you need to as succinctly and professionally as possible.
But make sure to be yourself, too. Don't come across sounding like a robot. Insert your personality. The more you try to act like something specific the more fake you'll seem. You want them to be aware that this is you and they're going to be comfortable doing business with you.
And finally, always be sure to have a business card with you at all times. Business card printing is a perfect way of showing them you're collected and prepared. You're handing them a reminder of who you are for when the time comes for them to use your services or fill in that position.
Anyone who's going to be talking with a lot of people in relation to their business should be sure to use business card printing. What good is making a great first impression if they have no way of remembering who you are a few weeks later?
"
