A key is "impression is made by your opponent", and not by you. You can only provide elements with others to create impression. Therefore, never talk too much, and listen carefully. Then, respond thoughtfully with wit and good sense of humor.
I have been awarded many contracts for my knowledge even if I was not the low bidder. I have a saying "You cannot fix a problem until you can identify what the problem really is". You must invest the time to study and research products and methods because they're constantly changing. Your customers will recognize your confidence in your initial presentation and help put them at ease.
Be knowledgeable and confident in your area of expertise but, don't come across as arrogant. Use your knowledge to help them feel secure with their decision to meet with you. Answer questions without worrying you'll give away some secret, customers want answers and will engage when their confident you're up to the task. Lastly, be complimentary without sounding hammy.
Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity. W. Clement Stone. I geuinely care about people and help them find the best solutions to suit their needs even if it means referring them to a colleague if it is in my clients best interest! My satisfaction and rewards come in other ways by referrals and just knowing I did what was best and right!
Most of the other answers I'm reading carry a similar message that I agree with......be sincere and honest regarding your product and/or services. Listen to their wants and needs, be clear on what you can offer, and do not over-promise. I like to "under promise and over perform". I agree it's important to connect on a personal level, but I also feel that depends on what your product/service is as to how "personal" you get.
When I meet with prospects no matter where I am, I always ask for their business card, I give them my full attention. How do they know that they have my full attention?, I write all over their business card, and repeat (summarize) what they said and show them the card written all over. I have a list of prepared questions. I write on the card something of value that I will offer to them, and guarantee to them that it will be in their inbox by the next morning. I will call them the next morning to thank them for the meeting. If I get their voice-mail, I will leave a message and ask them to check their inbox for my email. Be different. People will remember that you were the one who followed up and kept your word.
Aside from doing a memorable play or event that touched those who came to see it, my way of making a lasting first impression is to not do things in the average way when I advertise an upcoming event. I choose to do things that make you curious & want to know more about whatever characters we may be portraying. For example; instead of putting out a normal poster, we do little blurbs in character, so the person watching or reading it will develop some sort of emotion to the character.
Humor - On our blog, in our newsletter, in our office and with customers. Payroll processing is not the most glamorous business. There are a lot of serious aspects and consequences can be costly, but we choose to not take ourselves too seriously. We get a lot of positive feedback about our humor.
I think it's important to seem genuinely interested in the new person before you dive in to deliver your pitch about yourself and what you do. You then have paved the way for a blossoming friendship and the possibility of that person doing business with you. You ask about them, first, and watch the magic begin! You are "giving." Please read the marvelous book, The Go-Giver.
Just have to ask, how does anyone know if a lasting impression has been made, orwhether it was a negative one or a positive one? If it was a negative one, we have to hope that it is not a lasting one. All too often the only reading we can rely upon is our own sense of how WE felt about meeting someone. If our own focus was primarily on ourselves and not whom we are meeting, then we are sadly in our taking mode and not our giving mode. The taking mode cannot add to another's life. The giving mode CAN!
When we look for ways to add to another person's life, I believe that some people falsely believe that a particular person already has everything he or she could possibly want and that this belief rules them to the extent that they really do believe that they have nothing to give to that person. "That person has it ALL!"
If we can take off the blinders from our eyes of what others have or don't have and learn to listen to the hearts of the people we meet, we will actually have a chance to give to others in ways that are meaningful to them. Then, the goodness shared ends up being more important than making "a lasting impression".
Somehow there is a stirring within that prompts the following:
Today, many are committed to dividing all of us (divide and conquer). The sooner we commit to the understanding that we are all in life together and even for the person who may live alone, we are all in life together. Together we experience our many blessings as well as life's inequities. Each of us is like a radio station. We are broadcasting signals even when we are not aware that we are AND they are being received by others! We are also receiving the broadcasts from those around us. As gatekeepers of our lives, it is up to us to filter out what is destructive to all that we know the truth to be. There is Divine guidance and wisdom available to each of us, without which, we are doomed! While deciding what kind of people we are or want to become, it is my prayer that more of us will see clearly that the most important things in life to commit to, are all unseen. The world is only our temporary home. We must not be deceived to think otherwise.
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Answers (1-10)
A key is "impression is made by your opponent", and not by you. You can only provide elements with others to create impression. Therefore, never talk too much, and listen carefully. Then, respond thoughtfully with wit and good sense of humor.
I have been awarded many contracts for my knowledge even if I was not the low bidder. I have a saying "You cannot fix a problem until you can identify what the problem really is". You must invest the time to study and research products and methods because they're constantly changing. Your customers will recognize your confidence in your initial presentation and help put them at ease.
Be knowledgeable and confident in your area of expertise but, don't come across as arrogant. Use your knowledge to help them feel secure with their decision to meet with you. Answer questions without worrying you'll give away some secret, customers want answers and will engage when their confident you're up to the task. Lastly, be complimentary without sounding hammy.
I geuinely care about people and help them find the best solutions to suit their needs even if it means referring them to a colleague if it is in my clients best interest! My satisfaction and rewards come in other ways by referrals and just knowing I did what was best and right!
Most of the other answers I'm reading carry a similar message that I agree with......be sincere and honest regarding your product and/or services. Listen to their wants and needs, be clear on what you can offer, and do not over-promise. I like to "under promise and over perform". I agree it's important to connect on a personal level, but I also feel that depends on what your product/service is as to how "personal" you get.
When I meet with prospects no matter where I am, I always ask for their business card, I give them my full attention. How do they know that they have my full attention?, I write all over their business card, and repeat (summarize) what they said and show them the card written all over. I have a list of prepared questions. I write on the card something of value that I will offer to them, and guarantee to them that it will be in their inbox by the next morning. I will call them the next morning to thank them for the meeting. If I get their voice-mail, I will leave a message and ask them to check their inbox for my email. Be different. People will remember that you were the one who followed up and kept your word.
Aside from doing a memorable play or event that touched those who came to see it, my way of making a lasting first impression is to not do things in the average way when I advertise an upcoming event. I choose to do things that make you curious & want to know more about whatever characters we may be portraying. For example; instead of putting out a normal poster, we do little blurbs in character, so the person watching or reading it will develop some sort of emotion to the character.
Humor - On our blog, in our newsletter, in our office and with customers. Payroll processing is not the most glamorous business. There are a lot of serious aspects and consequences can be costly, but we choose to not take ourselves too seriously. We get a lot of positive feedback about our humor.
I think it's important to seem genuinely interested in the new person before you dive in to deliver your pitch about yourself and what you do. You then have paved the way for a blossoming friendship and the possibility of that person doing business with you. You ask about them, first, and watch the magic begin! You are "giving." Please read the marvelous book, The Go-Giver.
Just have to ask, how does anyone know if a lasting impression has been made, orwhether it was a negative one or a positive one? If it was a negative one, we have to hope that it is not a lasting one. All too often the only reading we can rely upon is our own sense of how WE felt about meeting someone. If our own focus was primarily on ourselves and not whom we are meeting, then we are sadly in our taking mode and not our giving mode. The taking mode cannot add to another's life. The giving mode CAN!
When we look for ways to add to another person's life, I believe that some people falsely believe that a particular person already has everything he or she could possibly want and that this belief rules them to the extent that they really do believe that they have nothing to give to that person. "That person has it ALL!"
If we can take off the blinders from our eyes of what others have or don't have and learn to listen to the hearts of the people we meet, we will actually have a chance to give to others in ways that are meaningful to them. Then, the goodness shared ends up being more important than making "a lasting impression".
Somehow there is a stirring within that prompts the following:
Today, many are committed to dividing all of us (divide and conquer). The sooner we commit to the understanding that we are all in life together and even for the person who may live alone, we are all in life together. Together we experience our many blessings as well as life's inequities. Each of us is like a radio station. We are broadcasting signals even when we are not aware that we are AND they are being received by others! We are also receiving the broadcasts from those around us. As gatekeepers of our lives, it is up to us to filter out what is destructive to all that we know the truth to be. There is Divine guidance and wisdom available to each of us, without which, we are doomed! While deciding what kind of people we are or want to become, it is my prayer that more of us will see clearly that the most important things in life to commit to, are all unseen. The world is only our temporary home. We must not be deceived to think otherwise.