Your business thrives on your ability to make the right first impressions when networking, on social media, and with your customers. We are all products, but the difference is we get to label and package ourselves how we want. We need to make our value known. The way you present yourself matters. You have to present yourself properly to optimize your opportunities in business. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

Present yourself intentionally.

Everything goes back to intentionality. Don’t let the first impression people get of you and your business be an accident. Know your venue, goals, and how you will show up. 

Things to consider:

1. Ask yourself if you would do business with you?
2. Are you fully prepared?
3. Are you dressed for success?
4. Are you going to make a great first impression that will be a lasting one?
5. Are you being intentional? You never know who is watching.

How to make an excellent first impression:

So how can you make a good first impression and increase your success rate? You have to be intentional. Deliberately set yourself up for a great first impression. When the lights come on, you have to be ready. If you are going to open your mic, be prepared. 

What to do to present yourself and make amazing first impressions:

The first impression of you and who you are happens within 8 seconds of meeting someone. You can make a great first impression with intention, commitment, and preparation. 52% of the people you encounter daily will judge you based on your appearance. If you know that going in, then how can you stand out? 

• Posture:  Have good posture in any situation, in person or online. Take a deep breath and adjust your posture to be in a power position.
• Confidence: Are you displaying confidence or fear? When you are confident, you attract more people. Use direct eye contact. If you are online, ensure you are looking at the camera, so your audience feels like they are looking at them.
• Wardrobe: Are you dressed to impress, or are you a mess? Are you business or casual? 
• Lighting: Lighting is essential. You may not be able to address lighting in physical meetups, but you can think about and optimize your lighting online. 

 Open Strong or Don’t Open At All: Crafting an Effective Elevator Pitch Opening

In today’s fast-paced world, having an effective elevator pitch opening is more important than ever. With attention spans shrinking rapidly, it’s crucial to grab your audience’s attention within the first few seconds of your pitch. As the saying goes, “Say a little and say it well.” But how do you create an opening that will capture your audience’s interest? 

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand your audience and the value you can provide. Research your topic, product, or service and discover your audience’s problems. Show them that you understand their needs and can provide a solution. A powerful fact, statistic, or thought-provoking question can be a great way to start your pitch and draw in your listeners. 

When crafting your opening, it’s essential to leave out the filler words and keep it simple. Avoid using complicated college words or concepts, as they may need to be clarified for your audience. Remember, your pitch should be easy to understand and relatable. You don’t understand it well enough if you can’t explain it. 

Another important aspect of an effective elevator opening is to build it based on your audience’s needs rather than yours. Find the stories from your life and career that you can use as examples of how great you are and what you can do. Tailor your pitch to address their pain points and show them how you can help them overcome their challenges. 

Enthusiasm is another key component of an effective opening. If you’re not excited about your pitch, why should your audience be? Be passionate and show them that you genuinely believe in what you offer.

Creating an effective elevator pitch opening is crucial in today’s culture of rapidly shrinking attention spans. Start strong, understand your audience, use simple language, and show enthusiasm. Build your pitch based on your audience’s needs and show them how you can help them overcome challenges. 

Present yourself to others to enhance your growth.

There are no do-overs. Making great first impressions is a skill you must add to your arsenal. First impressions happen before you even say hello. It is non-verbal branding. Before you pitch, focus on how you present yourself. Make sure your presence says what you want it to say.