We often think of first impressions as a way to make a good impression in our personal lives, but they’re also important in our professional lives. If you’re meeting a potential lead for the first time, it’s essential that you create a winning first impression if you want to have a successful professional relationship with them going forward.
Establish a goal before meeting
Establish a goal before meeting. Before you meet with someone, ask yourself, “What am I trying to achieve? How will my conversation benefit both parties?”
Be clear on what you want to achieve. Your ultimate goal may be to win the listing, but the initial goal should be much smaller: simply being able to discuss an appraisal or how you might strategically sell their property will help you achieve your larger goals.
Be prepared for anything. You never know what might come up during your conversation, so it’s important that when heading into any meeting, you’re ready for anything—and have some answers ready!
Create a plan to meet your goal
If you want to create a positive first impression, it’s important that you have a plan for each day. This will allow you to be focused and productive. It can also help prevent burnout, especially if your goal is long-term..
If you need help with planning or organization, consider implementing some task management solutions. You may have friends who are more organized than others; or perhaps family members who already know how to manage their time well. Asking what methods they use is an important shortcut to success
The most important part of creating a winning first impression is being humble enough to admit when there’s something bigger than yourself at stake. By doing this, people will see that they can rely on your professional qualities. Not only do they know what’s going on at all times but they also understand how much is involved in the property selling process.
Dress according to each individual client
Dress appropriately for the client. You should dress according to the type of work you are doing, but also think about what would be appropriate for the client and setting.
If you’re meeting them for the first time, perhaps for an appraisal, then it might be best to wear more formal attire. If it’s a casual setting, such as helping get the property ready for listing or while supervising the property photography, then dressing down is fine. You’ll build authentic relationships if you follow this guidance.
Be authentic and demonstrate your strengths
First impressions are important, especially when you’re trying to win a listing. If a potential vendor gets the impression that you’re less than genuine, they may not be willing to hire you.
Here are some tips for making sure that first impressions go well:
Be yourself!
It’s natural to want to put our best foot forward and come across as positive and confident, however it’s important not to overdo it because this can make people uncomfortable (and come off as fake). The same goes for trying too hard—if someone sees through your attempts at being something other than yourself then chances are slim that this person will want to work with someone like that!
Demonstrate your strengths!
If asked “Why should we choose you?” try responding with something specific rather than saying something generic. For example, your experience in the local market or your book of existing buyers searching for properties in the area.
Reflect on your interactions with clients
When you reflect on past experiences, try to identify what went well and why. Then, think about ways you can improve your next interaction with a client. You may want to adjust the way you introduce yourself, or how often and when you use eye contact. If there’s something specific about your client that makes him or her unique, let them know!
Every day can be an opportunity to connect with someone new.
- Be confident and relaxed
- Be yourself
- Be polite and respectful
- Be prepared with a few questions to ask when you meet someone new
Conclusion
First impressions are important, but they don’t have to be difficult. With a little bit of thought and preparation, it’s easy to make sure you always make the best first impression possible.