How to Make a Great First Impression
It’s not necessary to be the most attractive, intelligent, or funniest person in the room to make a strong and positive first impression, and it’s also a skill that can be learned through practice, just like any other. Whether it’s knowing the right thing to say at the right time, or simply knowing when to exit a conversation, these tips can help you master the art of the first impression.
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Keep things light and pleasant.
Anytime you’re meeting someone new, one of the best ways to make them remember you is to pay them a sincere compliment. When you put a warm smile on your face and admire a person in a genuine way, they are certain to not only remember you, but also to return the sentiments. If you’ve got a great sense of humor and making people laugh comes naturally to you, use that to your advantage, but never force yourself to try and be funny, or to ever be something you’re not. And always be positive – even if the food is terrible or the weather is rainy and cold, don’t complain. It’s much better to simply not mention something negative than to raise it as a topic of conversation and possibly be perceived as a downer.
Allow conversation to flow and be balanced.
For some it’s a natural reaction to being nervous to either talk too much or go quiet. If you’ve ever been on the opposite end of a conversation where you couldn’t get a word in, or if you’ve had to maintain the entire conversation by yourself, you know how uncomfortable both of these situations can be. Try providing a bit of information about yourself and ending with a question to promote a back-and-forth exchange. The best sorts of conversation flow seamlessly with plenty of opportunity for learning about the other person.
Show that you’re interested.
Another effective tool in making a good impression is to show real interest in getting to know someone. When you display interest, it automatically makes you more interesting. Use body language such as nodding your head during the conversation, and make mental notes of points to return in the form of questions, and whenever possible, find a common interest to discuss.
Allow yourself to be real.
Take a small personal bit of information and attach it to your introduction. Something such as “Hi, I’m Elaine, it’s so great to meet you – did you see that fantastic flower arrangement on the table in the entryway? I am so going to try and recreate that at my house!” This sort of intimation can open doors for all sorts of conversation topics, and it’s adds a measure of depth to the interaction, as well.
Always make eye contact.
Of course this is one of the oldest rules in the book and something most of us are taught from childhood, but it can be difficult to do if you’re nervous, so practice making eye contact whenever you’re talking to someone so you’ll be comfortable with doing so.
Know when to exit.
You want to leave when the time is right, and that requires tact and observation. Be aware of the other person, listen carefully for verbal ques and on the lookout for visual ones. Eyes tend to begin surfing the crowd and conversation will ebb – when this happens let them know how much you’ve enjoyed meeting them and speaking with them, and say goodbye.
Use these tips anytime you’re in a social situation to make a great first impression.
