Top 10 Tips To Make a Good Impression

Last Updated on: January 26th, 2021

Everyone wants to make a good impression when meeting someone new, whether it be in real life or online. There are many ways to make a good impression. These are the top ten tips for making a good impression, whatever your gender is:

impressions top ten

#1 – Dress appropriately – If you are connecting with someone using Skype or a video hangout on Google+, or meeting someone in person, face-to-face, you should be clad in attire that is appropriate. Wearing a bikini or shorts is fine for the beach, but not for a business meeting! Muted colours, such as blue, black or grey are the most popular choices for suits and dresses since they convey professionalism. Also, don’t over-adorn yourself with excessive amounts of jewellery or fashion accessories. Keep your look simple and neat.

impressions dress

#2 – Be properly groomed – Normally this goes without saying, but it is important to remember the fine details like washing, combing and styling your hair (or shaving your head if you are bald!), trimming or shaving your beard/goatee and/or moustache, and having nicely maintained fingernails. Getting a manicure is not just for women, either. Men, you put the “man” in man-icure, so don’t think it feminine to let a professional help you make your hands look nice!

impressions hand

#3 – Have good hygiene – Brush your teeth and use mouthwash to keep your breath fresh. If you are a smoker, carry a pack of mints with you and pop one in your mouth five minutes before the big meeting! Ensure that you smell good by bathing or showering that day (not everyone cleans themselves daily). Since many people are allergic to cologne and perfume, it is best not to wear any. Applying deodorant to mask the stench of body odor or perspiration that may develop throughout the day is something you should do right after your cleansing ritual. Make-up, if it is worn, should be applied lightly, unless you are a clown applying for a job!

impressions teeth

#4 – Have a firm, dry handshake and make eye contact – Shaking hands is customary for many people when they meet. If you get nervous easily and your palms become clammy or sweaty, keep a tissue or a handkerchief handy and dry them moments before the meeting. Make eye contact and keep your handshake firm, and use two small pumps of the hand when shaking. These actions demonstrate confidence and professionalism.

impressions handshake

#5 – Remember names – People are more receptive when you remember their names. It’s like a compliment to them! It helps to use a memory trick to do this. You might use something about the person to help you remember them, and finding something that begins with the first letter of their name will help. For example, if you meet Sally, you might think “Sexy Sally” or if you meet Bob and he is wearing a blue suit, you might remember his name by thinking “Bob’s blue” – even if he’s happy! You might also find a word that rhymes with or sounds similar to the name you need to remember. For example, Michelle’s swell or Jim’s thin. Repeating the name in your head also helps. Saying it out loud is more effective, and can be done right away by saying, “Pleased to meet you, Corrine.” If you forget someone’s name, apologize and ask them to remind you of it. Don’t try to pretend that you know it when you don’t. If someone’s name is difficult to pronounce or if you aren’t sure if you heard it correctly, then ask them to repeat it. This demonstrates that you are genuinely interested in them, and they will appreciate your efforts.

impressions people2

#6 – Be conscious of your body language – A list of dos and don’ts is required here. Don’t fidget, don’t put your hands in your pockets, don’t cross your arms, don’t slouch, don’t recline your chair, don’t yawn (keep your mouth closed), don’t daydream, and don’t roll your eyes. Instead, stand tall, sit upright, pay attention, and lean in slightly when others are speaking to show that you care about what they are saying, even if you don’t!

people standing

#7 – Speak properly and be polite – Refrain from using slang or lingo that may be misunderstood, and don’t cuss or swear! Use your manners (please and thank-you) and speak using proper sentences. Don’t say “yeah” when you mean “yes”. Say “yes”! Also, don’t talk about yourself too much. No one likes a self-centered ego-maniac! (except the ego-maniac)

impressionswondering

#8 – Smile – A warm smile goes a long way. No one likes grumpy people, either!

impressions smile

#9 – Be knowledgeable and prepared – Do your research beforehand. Make sure you are up-to-date on your facts and bring any necessary documents or equipment with you. Arrive early to set up technology devices to ensure they are in good working order. Have a back-up plan ready, too. Not everything goes according to plan all the time!

impressions knowledge

#10 – Be positive, confident, interested and outgoing – Don’t put anyone down. Expressing interest in what the other person has to say is also like a compliment to them. It shows that you care! Use humour when appropriate. Be yourself, and keep it real!

impressions great

Here is a quick summary of these top ten tips to use to make a good impression:

#1 – Dress appropriately

#2 – Be properly groomed 

#3 – Have good hygiene 

#4 – Have a firm, dry handshake and make eye contact

#5 – Remember names 

#6 – Be conscious of your body language 

#7 – Speak properly and be polite

#8 – Smile 

#9 – Be knowledgeable and prepared

#10 – Be positive, confident, interested and outgoing

Using these ten tips will guarantee that you make not just a good impression, but a GREAT one!

Update: I created a Slideshare presentation using these tips, and would love to know what you think of it – tell me in the comment section, please and thank-you! Here it is:

🙂 If you liked this post or found something in it useful,  🙂 you can thank me for writing it and sharing it with you by sharing it with others in your social media network(s). I would really appreciate it if you gave it at least one “share”! 🙂  Thanks, and see you in the comment section!

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How To Make a Good Impression

Making a Great First Impression

One of My Blog Posts is Now A Power Point Presentation on Slideshare!

23 thoughts on “Top 10 Tips To Make a Good Impression

  1. becc03 says

    It does amaze me how many people do not follow these tips!
    I do know I have a problem with remembering names, so I try to make up with all the others. Lots of people have this problem and it can sometimes make you feel at ease when the other has the same issue.

    • Lorraine Marie Reguly says

      Remembering names is probably the toughest part of meeting someone, especially when people have names that are really unique, or originate from a culture different to your own. Getting the pronunciation “just right” is hard, too!

      Thanks for stopping by, again, Rebecca! 🙂 Come again!

  2. I used to sit on my school’s interviewing committee for new hires. One thing I would add is not to ramble and to be honest. I find it endearing and impressive when someone knows when to stop talking despite being nervous. Plus, being able to discuss one’s weaknesses in a reflective manner goes far in revealing much about that person’s strengths. I’m just glad that it’s been ages since I’ve had to be on the other side of the interview. Not my idea of fun that’s for sure 😉

    • Lorraine Marie Reguly says

      I know, right? I mean, who likes being interviewed? Probably none of us!

      I think that your views on rambling are noteworthy. Knowing when enough’s enough is not something most people know!

      Thanks, Jeri, for mentioning that. 🙂 Also, being honest is a good thing, too, to a point. You don’t want to be as honest as I was when I was 15!!! Unless, of course, you DON’T want the job!

  3. says

    OMG, so many things to keep in mind :> we are all probably guilty of not doing some of these, but hopefully this will help remind us and people and help make our day more enjoyable .>

    • Lorraine Marie Reguly says

      Yes, remembering everything is tough, but tips will definitely help you to make a good impression on others!

    • Lorraine Marie Reguly says

      Yes, there are many things to remember. But isn’t it worth it, to make a good impression?

  4. Remembering names, in particular, can make a wonderful impression. I’m usually horrible at remembering names of people I’ve just met and am trying to make a point of getting better at that.

  5. says

    Excellent post, Lorraine, intense! I was reading every word one faster than the previous…

    I agree with the first comment – that these might seem like obvious things but it is sad how many people actually don’t do them 🙁 As for Debra’s comment and the lady with the messy pony tail – well, that’s why i almost never turn on my camera, i hate dressing up for meetings 😀

    The remembering names tip was awesome, Lorraine! That’s me – i remember faces but not names… “Pleased to meet you, Corrine.” trick is the one i use usually but to be honest, it not always help… i still forget.

    I gave up on names when meeting people socially – i mean, if am meeting a large group of people, e.g. friends of a friend, entering a party i don’t know anyone at, no way i can remember all names. But if it’s a business meeting and contact – hell, yeah – i will write it down if i need to!

    Thanks again for a great post – sharing it on social media right away!

    • Lorraine Marie Reguly says

      Thanks for the compliments and the shares! 😀

      I am glad that you found this information to be useful. I like to help others!

      I think remembering names is tough, too. Repetition really helps, as well, even if it saying it over and over in your head. Writing it down is good, too. Thanks for mentioning that!

  6. Great advice Lorraine. Although some of these tips may seem obvious, they’re not for some people and bear repeating. I had a business call by Skype not long ago and the person I was meeting with was sitting in a messy room with their hair in a messy ponytail. All I kept thinking was…NOT professional. Sadly, I was right.

    • Lorraine Marie Reguly says

      OMG, was that me? LOL

      If I am meeting on Skype, and am having a bad hair day, I just don’t bother with the video. Of course, I wouldn’t do this to a potential client whom I have never met! I’d follow my own advice. FOR SURE! 🙂

  7. says

    Great tips for success! They seem to be something that everyone should know, but in today’s wear-anything, do-anything culture, many of these tips are missed and it doesn’t make a good impression.

    • Lorraine Marie Reguly says

      Very true! I think many people are aware of the most obvious ones, but tend to forget about the other tips!

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