15 Powerful Ways to Make a Good First Impression

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. First impression has a lasting effect. It is not that you can’t redeem a bad first impression but humans are wired to judge themselves based on first impression.

Studies have shown that it takes 7 seconds or less to make a first impression. Think about your best friend, spouse or colleague. What is memorable about your first meeting? More than likely the first impression you got during the meeting. A good first impression makes you hard to forget. Besides, making a good first impression is a way to stand out from all your competitors.

Simple But Powerful Ways to Make a Good First Impression:

1. Be Authentic

Truly, nothing beats the real you. No matter who you are meeting or where you are meeting, be real. Your authenticity is projected through your true personality, passion and style – as a responsible individual. Most importantly, be clear about what you represent and want to communicate. To make a good first impression on people, you need to let them experience the real you. Remember, winning and connecting with successful people relies heavily on your ability to make a good first impression.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

In a world full of ‘fake it till you make it’, your genuineness will always make a way for you.

“Be honest about who you are, flaws and all. You never know who you are inspiring by simply being you.” – Mandy Hale

2. Listen More

Put your phone away. Do not let your phone notifications interrupt your conversation. Interestingly, a research shows that the average person checks their phone 110 times a day. Leave your phone in your bag or pocket when meeting someone for the first time. Listening more during a conversation always creates intimacy and builds trust with your conversation partner. Particularly, when meeting someone for the first time, listening more makes the person feel valued and appreciated.

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill

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3. Maintain Good Eye Contact

There is something about eye contact that says “I respect you and appreciate your time.” Looking away when talking to someone could not only be annoying but also disrespectful to the person you are talking to. Always make a strong eye contact if you want to make a good first impression.

“Eye contact: how souls catch fire.” ― Yahia Lababidi

Moreover, your eye contact has a powerful influence on how you are viewed. This doesn’t mean you should stare people down. According to a Michigan State University article, our eyes show emotion, build connections and indicate interest. Also, there is a popular saying that people who avoid eye contact are less sincere.

4. Maintain a Good Posture

Your body language sometimes says a lot more than what comes out of your mouth. Therefore, watch your hands, do not play with your hair, fingers or ring. Besides, maintaining a good posture makes you look approachable and likable. Nevertheless, do not beat yourself up if you already have a bad posture. For as much as you can, try practicing effective ways to improve your posture.

While gesturing is good to drive your point home during a conversation, desist from using excessive gestures. When meeting people for the first time, using excessive gesturing can be a turn off and distraction.

5. Look the Part

Believe it or not, people judge a book by its cover. If you’re meeting someone for the first time try to dress more conservatively. Always dress to impress. And pay attention to what you are wearing. You don’t want to show up to a networking event in slippers and ripped jeans. Whether you know it or not, you are sending a message that you are not to be taken seriously.

“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” – Miuccia Prada

Remember, the most expensive outfit in your wardrobe is not always the right outfit for every occasion. Never underestimate the power of your appearance at any given meeting.

6. Firm Handshake

When you meet someone for the first time, you have the opportunity to make a good impression in seconds through your handshake. Make your handshake work for you, not against you. A weak handshake can exhibit lack of self-confidence. A strong handshake sets the tone and the perception of your abilities. At the same time, do not apply too pressure or squeeze during your handshake.

“A firm, hearty handshake gives a good first impression, and you’ll never be forgiven if you don’t live up to it.” – P. J. O’Rourke

7. Fix Your Face

Even if you have lost a tooth, just smile. Smiling projects warmth. You don’t want to look cranky and unwelcoming. Make yourself welcoming to attract people to you. Smiling puts you on the bright side of life and people are attracted to anyone that lights up a room. Actually, an article by Inc Magazine stated that 48 percent of all Americans feel that a smile is the most memorable feature after first meeting someone. During a first meeting, make a memorable impression by breaking that precious smile of yours.

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” – Mother Teresa

8. Don’t Make it About You

Choose your words carefully. It has been observed that egocentric people always use the pronoun “I” more often in conversations. If you want to make a good first impression, balance the use of your “I”, “we” and “you” in a conversation. You make the person you are talking to feel more important when you limit the use of the pronoun “I”.

When you meet People for the first time, you will be judged you based on the first 20 words that come out of your mouth. Instead of talking about  yourself, get genuinely interested in the other person. You can show off your strengths but don’t be self-centered. In your conversation, give the other person the opportunity to express himself/herself and show off their strengths.

9. Give Honest Compliments

Compliments are free. So give a compliment or two to the next person you will be meeting with. To be clear, you need to avoid exaggerated or fake compliments. People will never forget how you make them feel. By giving people honest compliments, you make them feel valued and boost their self-worth. Of course, everyone desires acknowledgement. And without a doubt, your compliment will serve as a way to acknowledge anyone you meet. In addition, you build trust with people when you give sincere compliments.

“To build your self image, you need to join the smile, firm handshake and compliment club.” – Zig Ziglar

10. Personal Space

Notably, your personal space is the physical space immediately around your body. Do not invade anyone’s personal space. Most times, people feel threatened when their personal space is encroached. And sometimes standing too close may send a message that you are an aggressive type. When in doubt, stand at an arm’s length away from whoever you are talking to. Maintaining a proper distance from people is a sign of respect. Not to mention, you make people feel comfortable around you and avoid a bad first impression whenever you maintain a decent personal space.

“Personal space refers to an area with invisible boundaries surrounding a person’s body into which intruders may not come.” – Robert Sommer

11. Don’t be Late

Can you imagine being late to a job interview? Obviously, your punctuality to any given appointment speaks volumes. You can avoid being labeled tardy by keeping to time. Especially at first meetings, showing up late without notice presents you as unreliable and disrespectful.

“Being on time to appointments and meetings is a phase of self-discipline and an evidence of self-respect. Punctuality is a courteous compliment the intelligent person pays to his associates. ” – Marvin J. Ashton

12. Get the Name Right

During the introduction, get the name of the other person and capture it in your mind. Avoid the awkwardness of forgetting names. A good way to avoid forgetting someone’s name is by spelling it out. Conversely, you can ask how the name is pronounced and origin of the name. Also, you may consider asking whoever you are meeting the meaning of his or her name. By asking these questions, you are engraving the name in your mind. Hence, making the names of people you meet easy to remember. As you make your closing statements, make sure you call the person you are talking to by name.

13. Do Your Research

If you are attending a conference or seminar, try researching the people you intend to meet in advance. Doing your research in advance helps to avoid dreaded silence and taboo topics that will turn off your conversation partner. You can conduct your research via linked or other sources. Most importantly, let the person you are meeting know that you took sometime to learn a little bit about them, that way you avoid coming off as creepy.

14. Be Entertaining

Keeping your conversation partner entertained makes your meeting memorable. How many boring first encounter conversations have you suffered through? No one likes spending time with a boring person. However, if you are not good at telling jokes or entertaining then do not force funny lines into your conversation. Alternatively, you can pick a topic of interest to the person that you’re meeting. For example, if you are talking to a baseball enthusiast and you know a thing or two about baseball, then focus on baseball game stories. Indeed, people hardly forget those who made them have a good time. Certainly, people may tend to forget the content of your conversation but they will remember how entertaining you were.

“I learned that by being entertaining you make a connection with another person.” – Robin Williams

15. Be Positive

Lastly, make sure you maintain a positive attitude when meeting anyone for the first time. Even if you are having a bad day, try to present a positive attitude. By adopting a positive attitude, you create a welcoming atmosphere and bringing forth healthy energy. Nobody likes energy drainers. So, don’t be an energy drainer. Always show up with the right dose of positivity that can uplift anyone you encounter.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill

Ultimately, strive to be the person you want people to remember.

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