27 Seconds

By Anna Radachy

What can you do in 27 seconds? Tie your shoes, sneeze a couple of times, maybe write a text? How about making a good impression? According to new research, it takes an average of 27 seconds for someone to form an opinion about you, and 69% of Americans report that they form their opinion before the person even speaks. It is incredible to think that such a small amount of time can make or break how someone thinks of you, and these opinions can potentially affect your business. So how can you make sure that those 27 seconds work for you? 

Making a good impression starts with how you look! Make sure to: 
Dress well! 

• You don’t need heels or a suit jacket to look put together, but dressing better when you step out of the house is proven to make you feel more confident and affect you positively. You never know when you will run into a potential customer or contact!
  

Smile!

• People who smile are proven to be more approachable, and smiling can trick you into being in a good mood!
  

Don’t be shy!

• Easier said than done, I know! Work on your small talk, verbal pivots, and talking points with someone you are comfortable with, and make the effort to not sound rehearsed.
  
•  Let the conversation flow naturally, and when in conversation with a potential customer or contact, let them do the talking! You can learn a lot from staying quiet. 
  

Arrive early! 

• Cliche, but being on time for an appointment shows your commitment, and being early might get you more time with your contact. Being 5 minutes early will give you a chance to mentally prepare for the appointment and make small talk. 
  

Don’t be overconfident! 

• Confidence is key, but overconfidence can be detrimental. Make sure that when you meet a customer or contact that you approach them with an open mind and listen to their genuine feedback. Being arrogant or aloof will give off a bad impression, but being inquisitive or genuine will give off a positive impression. 
  

Do a little research! 

• If you know who, or what company, you may be meeting, do a quick LinkedIn search to get a quick overview. Of course, don’t go overboard, but knowing a bit of background helps you tailor your approach. 
  

So how do you make a good impression? Be confident, be well dressed, be attentive, be yourself. First impressions may not last forever, but they can be pretty close, and you don’t want to lose out on an opportunity when it was something you could easily address!