Make A Good First Impression
Make People Want To Talk About You
3- Use the person's name
Take a minute to think of some of the people you met recently. If you encountered someone who used your name from the get-go, you will likely agree that it made the conversation much more personal.
Furthermore, it shows the other person that you were paying attention from the very beginning and that you give them enough importance to memorize their name. A bonus is that by using their name immediately, you will be more likely to remember it and impress them even more should you run into them a second time.
4- Avoid jokes
Humor is generally a good thing as far as business networking goes — as long as it is used prudently. A light crack or simple joke can do wonders to lighten the atmosphere and set the mood for a gathering. Unfortunately, if you are not careful and crack an off-color joke, the effect will be the opposite. You may end up facing a group of hostile people that have already put an "X" on you because of your poor choice of wit.
Avoiding jokes during the first encounter is the safe bet. If you really must make a wisecrack, go with something short and conservative so as to not offend anyone. You don't want to be remembered as "that offensive fellow."
5- Be a good listener
Being a good listener is not as complicated as most people think it is. When having a discussion with someone, make sure to let him know in a subtle manner that you are paying attention to what is being said.
Don't be afraid to nod your head and chime in with the occasional "I see," or "I understand," or any other verbal cue that shows the other person that you are indeed listening attentively. Also, feel free to ask questions (preferably non-threatening ones) if you are unsure of what the other person is trying to communicate.
Finally, do not interrupt when someone else is speaking. Interrupting someone in mid-sentence is extremely rude and will count as one strike against you in just about any social setting. Proper etiquette is suggested at all times.
6- Let the other person be the center of attention
Perhaps the most important tip to follow when making a first impression is avoid hogging the spotlight. Let the other person be the center of attention. The worst mistake you can make is talking incessantly about yourself. You will come off as a selfish person who is only interested in himself, rather than appearing as someone who could help others further their business.
Ask the other person about himself and let him bask in the spotlight. You will not only appear to be gracious, but you will also learn more about the person you are dealing with. Pay close attention to the conversation; those little details may be useful in the future.
This article is sponsored in part by Blue Moon (What's this?)
- Networking