Whether you like it or not, first impressions account for whether people instantly take to you or whether you have got some winning around to do!

The first 15 - 30 seconds of any encounter are vital and it is very important that all of the stages of this process are managed correctly to save you a lot of work later on!

So how do you create a favourable first impression?

Read on.

Let's cut to the chase straight away!

When you meet someone for the first time they will make their minds up about you based upon:

1. YOUR APPEARANCE

2. YOUR BODY LANGUAGE

3. HOW YOU SOUND

4. WHAT YOU HAVE GOT TO SAY

The list above is in order of importance as well!

YOUR APPEARANCE

The way that you look and your grooming all have a lasting impression on the other person when you meet them for the first time.

There is an old saying that goes "Dress for where you are going, not from where you have been"

Is your dress appropriate for the occasion?

Formal? Casual? What is it?

Do the best that you can with what you have got.

To fit in appearance wise doesn't mean that you have got to wear Armani suits and look like George Clooney - although both would be an advantage!

It is the little things such as:

Are you wearing the rights colours to complement your skin tone and colouring?

Are your shoes nice and clean and shiny?

Are you well groomed?

Are you wearing the right attire for the occasion?
- There is a big difference between what you would wear for an interview and what you would wear of you were going out bowling!

Do your clothes complement your body shape and build?

Is your skin looking vibrant and healthy or are you looking washed out?

Are you clean shaven or have you got stubble?

All of the above, and there are many others, will contribute to the first impression.

Bear in mind that most of the people who meet you will have formed an impression of what you look like beforehand.
That is, if you have spoken to them before on the phone or have communicated via letter/email etc.

Some people may say "You were not what I was expecting"

Respond to this statement with "What WERE you expecting?"

BODY LANGUAGE

There are many articles and exercises within Life Coaching Studio that will teach you how to have positive body language.

The main things to bear in mind are:

Smile!

A smile is very very powerful.

People who smile a lot are naturally more attractive and people warm towards people who are happy.

Who would be drawn to a miser?

That doesn't mean walking around with a stupid grin on your face but you should look happy and assure and in your first encounter with the other person when you say hello to them, SMILE!

Eye Contact

When speaking to your friend, look them directly in the eye.

Making eye contact builds up trust and is a sign of confidence.

People will like you for it.

You know yourself the power of trust and how you feel towards a person who looks you in the eye.

Stance and Posture

If you are walking, stand tall and proud.

If you are sitting imagine you have got a ruler down your back and sit up straight!

Walk with a purpose and as though you have got the most important place to go, because you have remember!

Don't be slouched over like a couch potato!

Act confidently even if you don't feel it.

No-one will know the difference!

Handshakes

There is only ONE WAY to shake hands, so I will keep this simple!

When you greet someone for the first time:

- Shake their hand firmly but not too hard
- Look them in the eye
- Smile
- And say "Hello, nice to meet you"

That's it, nothing more to say!

HOW YOU SOUND

The natural tendency is to talk at a thousand miles per hour when you are a little nervous.

Pace yourself and speak a little slower.

Take a couple of deep breaths and relax.

How you sound is important so sllllllllooooooooowwwwwwwww down and talk confidently!

WHAT YOU HAVE GOT TO SAY

Well, this had to come into it somewhere but it's not as important as you think.

I could write pages and pages of how to talk to people and indeed I have!

Go to the article called:

How to meet/talk with other people with confidence

This details what topics to talk about and how to talk to other people.

Apart from a job interview, you will actually be doing less of the talking yourself if you are an excellent communicator.

Note how I said excellent communicator and not excellent talker!

A lot of people just take it in turns talking when they meet rather than communicate.

I bet you all know of people who can run their mouths off and never listen!

IN SUMMARY

When meeting anyone for the first time 93% of the communication and impression that they make of you will be down to the way that you look, your body language and the sound of your voice.

Only 7% will be down to the words that you use.

Have you been concentrating on the 7%?

If so, don't worry.

You now have some excellent techniques and knowledge to be able to create that positive first impression with anyone that you meet.

Good luck, I'd love to hear how you get on.