First impressions are everything in sales. Research shows it takes one-tenth of a second to form an initial impression of someone, and 69% of people form an opinion about someone before they even speak. No pressure, right? While it might feel stressful to have so much riding on a first interaction, you can make the most of those initial moments.
A post from the Zomentum blog covers some simple ways to make a great first impression with your prospects. Keep reading this issue of PromoPro Daily, where we highlight some ideas for wowing people from the get-go.
1. Prepare well. You can make a great first impression when you’re prepared for the meeting. The Zomentum post says you should know your company’s story and be ready to answer any questions about your promo solutions. It’s also important to be responsive to prospects’ inquiries and follow up after the meeting.
2. Know your stuff. You’re the promo pro in the conversation. The post advises being ready to offer solutions to the prospect’s problems. Demonstrate that you’re an expert in the promo industry and have the information they need.
3. Exude professionalism. This means not only arriving on time (or early) to the meeting, but being respectful and polite throughout the discussion. Remember to dress appropriately for the occasion, the Zomentum post says, and avoid talking about sensitive topics. You should always focus on the business at hand.
4. Be engaging. This means asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine interest in their responses. According to the post, this helps build trust and rapport, which are key to building a successful business relationship.
5. Be easy to work with. In other words, be responsive and attentive to your prospects. If you don’t know the answer to something, find out and follow up with them. The post says you should avoid putting them off or making them feel rushed.
6. Practice humility. You can be confident without being arrogant. Instead of tossing around industry jargon they won’t understand, the post advises using plain language. Be willing to listen to the prospect’s needs and offer solutions that can truly help them.
There are many ways to make a strong first impression, from being prepared to being professional. Ultimately, you can be memorable in the best way by showing you genuinely care about solving your prospects’ problems.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: A blog post from Zomentum.com, a sales acceleration platform that helps businesses manage their sales, marketing and customer service.