Say what you will, we all judge. People will form an opinion of you after meeting you for the first time, watching your first video, reading your first article or post – and they’ll make the judgement very quickly, you really don’t have very long to make a good impression.
The first moments count: The way you look, the way you speak, and the first few words you say. You need to start and end strong, and make sure you are looking and acting the way you want to appear.
Things to think about:
Smile! We connect with people not products, and are more likely to engage with a friendly, open face. Even if your face is not on camera, you can hear the difference in someone’s voice when they are smiling, so turn the frown upside down!
Your wardrobe is important. The very first introduction to someone is normally visual, and like it or not, your choice of outfit will reflect on you. Are you working in the corporate field, or a highly regulated and traditional environment? Do you want to fit in, or stand out? Are there cultural sensibilities to be aware of? Are you a creative thinker? What are your work ethics and style? People will assume these based on how you present yourself.
Be confident. Carry yourself well, be mindful of your posture and how clearly you speak. The best thing you can do is breathe… Consciously take a breath, to keep yourself grounded, remember what you want to say, and slow down. Don’t talk for the sake of it, or let yourself trail off or mumble, whether it’s a face to face meeting or a recording, just breathe.
The words say it all. Think about the message you are giving, what do you want to tell people? What do you want them to know about you? How do you want them to remember you? Make sure you have a couple of very clear brand messages (this can be for your company and your own personal brand of you) that you have worked on, so that you know they are clear, concise and on point. This will prevent the stumbling, ‘umms’ and ‘erms’, and ‘you know’s… It will also make sure the message is likely to be heard, understood and retained by your audience.
At the end of the day, people are more likely to remember the way you made them feel than what you actually say, and it is this emotional attachment of whether they liked you or not, that is most likely to influence whether you will hear from them again. So, make sure you listen – the most underutilised tool in communications! People like to feel that someone is listening. Really hear what they are saying, ask them questions, engage on their subjects. If it’s a one-way communication like a video or post, then ask questions and seek opinions in that way. These interactions show that you can listen, that you value what your audience has to say, and respect and appreciate their time – and who knows, maybe you might learn something!
Please share any other ideas for making a good impression, and drop an email to sam@footstepcommunications.com if you would like to hear any more!
