What’s the first thing that you sell to a new prospective client? Right! It’s you. The fact is that when meeting new people at mixers, events or even at the mall, it’s you they are evaluating.

Many home-based business people spend a significant amount of time in face to face communication with prospective clients, associates and other business people who could potentially refer business to them.

All of the contacts you make during your mission to get more business are noticing how you act, dress and communicate. If they like you they may be receptive to hearing more about your business.

Small business owners in their rush to get business often spend time and emphasis on the outer appearance of their business and forget about personal details.

Creating a good impression is not only a business responsibility it’s also a personal one.

In a previous article about marketing I suggested … “Carefully review all the things people will see, hear, feel, smell and taste about your business”. Certainly some of these can apply to you as well.

Let’s consider some possibilities. What do people see when they meet you? How you are dressed, the fit, the style, the accessories (briefcase, pen, hairstyle, glasses, lapel pin and shoes) are some of the things people notice. So taking time to think of the impression you are communicating and coordinating how you dress can have a big impact on how you are received.

A Personal Image Coach I met says “Do everything necessary to get a positive reaction from everyone you deal with…this means determining your own image standards and adjusting as necessary for different clients”.

I think being over dressed can present problems as can being too casual in a professional situation. Be receptive to these situations and take the necessary steps to make your appearance fit.

According to my research 55% of all communication is body language and 7% is what you say. If this were true then it would seem to be reasonable to pay special attention to what creates the biggest impression. Talk less and listen more. Appearance, body language and attitude can be very significant and powerful marketing tools.

It’s interesting the impression created when meeting someone dressed in a suit or jacket and tie with dress shoes that have not been polished since they were new.

When we notice one thing we start looking for more. It can be like noticing overspray on that used car and starting to wonder what else has been covered up. We begin to wonder if it’s such a good deal after all. You don’t want people thinking these things about you.

The Handshake is probably one of the most important body language issues to consider. Shaking hands with people often happens during the first few seconds and is critical in making that first good impression.

A firm, well-timed handshake can get your meeting off to a good start. Get some information on body language, it will help you to project the kind of image that you want and prevent you from making some critical mistakes.

Personally, I think most of us want to be accepted in the business community. We want to be seen as professional, ethical and sincere. We are often so keen to tell people what we do that we don’t listen to what they want. Success can often be achieved by giving people what they want.

There is power in silence. Use it to make a good impression. Use it to truly hear what they are saying and find ways to deliver.