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We’ve all heard how making a good impression can last a lifetime, and in the
case of your business, it can certainly help you bring in new contacts and
expand your business success. In the first part of this series we examined small
but important ways you can present yourself positively and make good connections
with clients. Here are additional ways you can be an excellent marketing tool
for your own business:
Look them in the eye. Whether you are having a conversation
with a vendor, supplier or a customer, always make sure you look at them
straight in the eye. It sounds obvious, but we can all think of situations when
someone you just met was trying to carry on a conversation, check a cell phone
text message and “work the room,” all at the same time. It can be annoying and
leave a less-than-stellar impression. Give your customers the common courtesy of
your full attention, and make them feel valued by focusing on them, and only
them.
Use discretion with new contacts. Have you ever met someone
who is a new professional connection, given them your business card, and
then suddenly received requests for political campaign contributions or endless
sales pitches on your email, all from that one-time interaction? It tends to
make a person feel a little used. Don’t make others feel “invaded” by abusing
the information you gain from their business card or other professional
literature. When someone has presented you with their business card, it serves
as an invitation for further business discussions. As you develop a relationship
and gain trust, you can then expand your interactions to other topics.
Keep it personal. Sometimes it’s so easy to get in the habit
of e-mails, text messages and voice mail, you forget that there are real people
out there. Don’t forget to keep your interactions personal with your clients or
potential customers. Make it a habit to sit down and send handwritten thank-you
notes or appreciative comments when the opportunity arises. If you know that a
potential client loves to go fishing and you run across a related article in the
newspaper that he might enjoy, send it to him with a brief note. Building those
personal relationships can lead to loyal, long-term clients.
Simple gestures can go a long way in helping you present yourself and your
business in a positive light. You don’t always need a huge advertising budget to
make an impact. You can make a lasting impression on professionals in your
community that will pay off in countless ways. | 
