Unforgettable First Impressions Part 3: Time is (Not) On Your Side

You only have three seconds?Connect in under a minute?People decide if they like you within the first ninety seconds?Make the sale in the first five seconds?You get the job within four minutes?Always make a friend in less than 30 seconds?

Ahhhhhhhhhh!! Which one is right!?

I've read almost every book on first impressions, and the primary issue addressed tends to be time. (Or lack thereof.) Unfortunately, past research doesn't offer much consistency among increments of time in which you must make a first impression.

But there's no need to adhere to a specific number of minutes, hours, days or milliseconds to which your words and actions must adhere in order to "wow" the other person. The bottom line is this: every situation and every person is different. Only you can decide how much time you're allotted before your conversation partner thinks you're the greatest person they've ever met.

Still ? you have to work quickly! The 6 Essential Elements for Flawless First Impressions are part of Scott Ginsberg's the UNFORGETTABLE! Audio System.

Beyond Initial Contact
Because they are based on instinct and emotion; and because they are usually correct; first impressions people form about you will probably stay in their minds forever. People put pressure on themselves to behave consistently with their own existing commitments. And as the great poet William Hazlit said, "First impressions are a person's work of years; they are stamped on his face by the events of his whole life by the hand of nature, and are not to be gotten rid of easily."

This is based on the primacy effect, which states that information people see or learn about you is more powerful than what is learned later. Therefore, when people initially see a small piece of you, that's all they know. So to them, it represents everything.

First Doesn't Mean First Time
First impressions are also the first time you have with someone. In other words, even if you've already known someone ? your first impression, new or not, will still set the stage for whatever communication comes next.

Here's an example. Let's say you arrive (late) at your customer's office for your monthly appointment ? and you're in a terrible mood. You're tired, annoyed and don't feel like crunching numbers. Now, even if you've worked with this customer for six months, it's still possible to make a bad first impression. It's still possible turn him off. And as a result, your entire meeting might be underscored by that negative impression ? regardless of what the customer thought of you six months ago when he first met you.

So, first doesn't always mean first time.

Honesty is the Best Policy
It's like the old joke says, "If you tell the truth, you don't need to remember anything." So in your first impressions, be honest ? and be honest immediately.

Once during a job interview I had the perfect opportunity to practice this last rule. My potential boss said, "All right, here's the last question ? it's kind of a tough one. In fact, most employees struggle to answer it?so just do your best. What are some of your weaknesses?"

Ouch. A zinger if I ever heard one. Looked like my ego was about to take a beating.

But I didn't skip a beat. I smiled, re-crossed my legs and said, "Absolutely! In fact, I'll give you three of them:

1) I talk too much. As an extrovert, my personality is such that I might never shut up.

2) I'm not the most punctual employee in the world. I've been known to show up at the last minute, or sometimes a few minutes late.

3) I'm a big goofball. I do, say and think things that are outlandish.

But I'll tell you one thing," I added, "talking, tardiness and goofiness ? all of those habits can change. But the one quality about me that will never change?is my honesty, and THAT is exactly why you need to hire me."

The room fell silent. And do you know what two words came out of his mouth next?

Get out.

No, I'm just kidding! He said, "Welcome aboard!"

UNFORGETTABLE?, indeed.

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.

---

Where to Find a Cash Windfall of $10,000 - $1,000,000 - You Never Knew You Had

There is a rather famous true story called "Acres of... Read More

Increase Your Sales by 30% Using Internet Collaboration Networks

Small businesses are really excluded from the global economySmall businesses... Read More

Develop a Great Network - Pay It Forward for Maximum Success

Who needs a network of people to talk to about... Read More

Defining a Quality Networking Group

When it comes to quality, how do you choose the... Read More

Build Your Business through Strategic Networking

Networking ? it's the latest business trend. Or is it?Actually,... Read More

Building Business Relationships in a Roomful of Strangers

You approach a stranger at an association meeting or industry... Read More

62 Ways to MAXIMIZE Your Approachability

If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up... Read More

Volunteering for a Networking Group

When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position... Read More

Sell For Yourself Or Sell For Your Boss?

First of all I would like to start this article... Read More

Lesson 69 - When Networking Events Fail

The StoryIn a quest to create strategic alliances, coalitions, and... Read More

Which Networking Events Should You Attend?

How does one determine which are the best events to... Read More

Should You Offer Commissions For Customer Referrals?

As a small business owner you may find yourself in... Read More

Putting The Fun Back In Networking

Networking is one of the most important skills a person... Read More

Networking in the Change Room: 5 Ways to Network Effectively While Getting Undressed

There's a time and place to network with people in... Read More

Examination of Discovery - Finding the Right Networking Group

Why would I pick this group over another group?How many... Read More

Powerful Networking: Focus on Building Connections, Not Closing Sales

You can find numerous references in the business literature about... Read More

Write It Down!

Why would you want to write information on paper when... Read More

3 Reasons to Join a Group

Defining your purpose for joining a group.When you make the... Read More

Your Front End

While surfing for traffic or browsing your safelist emails, you... Read More

How to be Known

Why business relationships are formed with certain people?If you go... Read More

How to Keep from Sounding LIKE Totally Stupid

June is reality check month. Lots of the resolutions have... Read More

Come Home Rich - How to Get the Most out of Your Next Conference

Success in your career depends upon how well you manage... Read More

Effective Business Networking: 5 Tips For Mastering The Art of Networking

The heart of any business is the connection it has... Read More

Networking Group Loyalty Requirements

How can you find out the group loyalty requirements before... Read More

Network Marketing Secret: On Becoming the ?GoTo? Guy

For years we've been taught to identify ourselves as reps... Read More

Social Network Software

My neighbor ? a lovely man I've known, and have... Read More

What I Do Is Not Who I Am... The Networking Factor

Ah, the personal touch that continues to make a big... Read More

Discover Your Own Source Of Business Leads

Generating new business leads is critical in your success, no... Read More

How Speakers, Exhibitors, Consultants, and Meeting Planners Partner-Generate More Money and Value

? "Make Every Moment Count" is the title of a... Read More

Four Brainless Self-Promotion Techniques To Avoid

Many workers think that their hard work will speak for... Read More

Sharpen Your Business Networking Skill To Grow Your Small Business

Most people become lax at maintaining their professional business network... Read More

Five Stumbling Blocks To Successful Networking And How To Overcome Them

The ability to connect with people is essential to success... Read More

Success Sentences to Help Combat Conversational Crappiness

Essential to your success as an effective, engaging communicator is... Read More