First impressions are important in whatever situation you are in. People are judging you and you are judging people whether you want to admit it or not. It starts on how you look and then to your introduction. Most importantly you want to look approachable. Someone may have heard of you but if you look like you haven’t showered in 3 days you might lose that chance at an introduction. Smile and look like you are enjoying life if nothing else.
After being approached or approaching someone, the next step in the first impression would be your handshake. Ladies do not shake with a couple fingers!! Man or woman you want a good firm handshake. I take pride in the fact that I have been complemented on my handshake by many men and women.
Now time it’s time for small talk. Here is where you attitude and mannerisms really matter. Now is your chance to gain some respect and maybe even some trust. Get to know the person you are talking to and be sincere. Tell them a little about yourself, and not just the typical I work here and go to school there. Let them in and talk about a passion of yours, or give them a little more personal insight of who you really are. Putting yourself out there will allow them to open up and trust you with their views and values. Also, by putting yourself out there you will be able to see how the person reacts to your honesty and values. You may not make a friend or contact every time but you never know unless you try.
You want to find people you relate to and that can help you build your community, both in person and in social media. In a seminar by Esteban Kolsky he said, “Your community is your mouth piece, not the individual.” You want a community that you respect and that respects you. Your community starts with your friends and family, and grows through the people you meet in the real world and online. Always remember, no one really wants a person in their community that can’t even make a good first impression because your impressions reflect onto your community.
