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How to Make a Good Impression on Your Clients When Meeting Them in Person

By Christy Tanner

When you are meeting one of your customers in person, you will want to make a good impression (unless you are trying to lose your job with them that is). When trying to make a good impression you will want to focus on your personal image and how you will come off to your client. The impression that the customer will leave the meeting with will be made up of the follow factors : the way that you dress, your body language, and your attitude.

You will want to ask yourself how conservative your clothes need to be for each particular customer. I always wear professional attire when I am meeting with a client. Unless there is some information that you have gotten from the customer that makes you believe that he is against professional clothing, I would say to go with a professional appearance. In other words, wear a suit if you’re a guy, and choose a conservative color as your choice, such as dark gray or black. If you are a woman, then you should wear a conservative colored business suit as well. You can wear a suit skirt or slacks, as both are just as dressed up as the other. Make sure you wear a white shirt, female or male, and your tie (for a male) should be something that is a plain color (no neon please) without a pattern.

Here are some more hints on what is considered professional attire:

Picture by Canadian Veggie

Your pirate costume freaks people out so kindly don't wear it to your client's meeting.

Don’t wear anything with large or bold prints, or that have glitter and shine, or even trim. This includes shoes, accessories, and clothing.

Don’t wear sandals, white shocks, fishnets, shoes that need to be shined, tennis shoes, gaudy looking makeup, too much jewelry, and skirts that are not knee length.

No tight clothes or overly revealing clothes. You don’t want to give the wrong idea.

Do not wear more than one earring in each ear; only wear two rings per hand.

Make sure that your colors coordinate and match.

Don’t put on heavy perfume or cologne as your client might be allergic or just offended.

Your body language is watched by others, and it will convey a lot about you and how you feel. Be aware of that language and try to show that you are happy and confident, not fearful or nervous. Your clients will watch closely to figure out your body language so that they can respond in the correct manner as well.

Here are some tips on how to make sure that your body language is conveying the correct message to your customer:

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Yeh, You might Not Want to Put Your Feet up On the Table, Especially with Low Skirt.

When greeting your client, make sure that your handshake is firm, and your posture is good, and you have a smile.

When sitting make sure your back is straight, but not too rigid, have your arms and legs relaxed, but don’t keep your feet spread apart too far. Perhaps you should lead forward occasionally to show interest.

Make sure that you keep hand gestures to a minimum.

Keep eye contact with your client, but look away once in a while so you don’t seem to be staring.

Smile once in a while to show friendliness.

Verbal language also helps in your impression, by what you say and how you say it. Below are some tips for giving a good verbal impression.

Picture by Clint JCL
Remember Not to Talk with Your Mouth Full (Again)

Know your answers, but don’t have them memorized. This will make you feel confident.

Don’t say “you know,” or “um” too much. If you’re not sure what to say relax and think than talk.

Always use proper English, don’t use slang for anything.

When you are asked a question, pause and make sure you know what is being asked. If you don’t know for sure ask again.

Being positive when you answer questions about yourself, but don’t talk too much.

If there is silence, don’t feel like you need to talk for no reason.

Remember that making a good impression on a client is your way to more work. If you get more work you will also build your reputation as a top of the line worker. If you have self promotional items available, make sure to hand them out. This way, you will be giving them reminders of who you are and what you do. Make sure that the business cards you make are professional looking, and perhaps memorable too. Your name may be on the lips of everyone if you make the right impression.

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