How to Make a Good Impression When Networking
By Sharan Ilene Tash, CEO of The Professional Networker 

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.  

Voice, style of dress, body language and handshake – all contribute to whether you turn a person on or off. In business, image is crucial.

Research shows that our body language and our tone of voice accounts for 80% of first impressions, with 700,000 unique movements.  

Here are some tips to help you put your best foot forward when developing new business relationships.  

Tell me about yourself. The elevator pitch, also known as the 15-second or 30-second pitch allows networkers to share information about themselves. The conventional rule of thumb is to say your name, the name of your company and what you do.  The catchier the line, the more likely someone will ask more about your business.  Make sure to practice this short speech before an event.

Body language. You can build greater trust and rapport with others by improving how you come across.Begin by learning to maintain good eye contact. If you avoid looking directly at others you may be perceived as remote or disinterested. When you approach someone, have an open body stance and do not cross your arms. To create a powerful impression that conveys intelligence and credibility, keep hand gestures to a minimum. Lastly, a warm smile that is natural and sincere will draw people to you.

Handshake.  A handshake can be firm, soft, brief, long or even painful. The way you shake hands provides clues to your personality. To make a good first impression, make sure your handshake is firm and dry. If the shake is too soft it projects weakness and lack of confidence.  To keep your hands dry, keep your palms open and do not close your fists, because that is what generates the heat and sweat.  

Clothes. Make sure you wear appropriate attire for each networking event. Some events require a suit while others allow more casual clothing. If you are not sure about the dress code, contact the event organizer. While it is important to stand out in networking, you want to make sure it is for positive reasons rather than for wearing something inappropriate. Your appearance is one of the first aspects others will judge about you.

Hygiene and grooming. Men should be clean shaven with fresh breath, neat hair, clean nails and avoid aromatic aftershaves. Women should stay away from overpowering perfume and applying excessive make-up. Chewing gum or a toothpick is not advisable for either sex.   

Listen to others.  We were given two ears and one mouth so that we would listen twice as much as we talk.  Communication is a two-way street. If you are talking too much, you will probably miss cues concerning what the other person feels is important.