Your impression in everything is very important because it can either build a potential relationship or break it. It doesn’t matter what profession you are in because the first impression will always have an impact on potential clients. For instance, if you are an attorney and you are meeting a client for the first time, you must impress them for them to consider meeting you for the second time or even hire you to represent them in a criminal case. The first impression is not only important in your career but also personal life, and for this reason, you can rely on the following tips to ensure that your first impression is always astounding. 

1. Meet at A Place Chosen or Preferred by The Client

When you are meeting a potential client for the first time, it is crucial that you make them as comfortable as you can. A client could be looking for a criminal lawyer in Tampa, and as an attorney who is capable of providing criminal defense, you must ensure you meet the client at a place where they feel comfortable. This could be their favorite restaurant, a place near where they live (as long it is a public place) or even your office if they will feel more comfortable there. However, if your client doesn’t have a specific place they want to meet you, you can recommend that they tell you their favorite restaurant. This suggestion will show that you care. Again, discussing business while eating together can lead to better deals because both of you are relaxed in such an environment. 

2. Maintain Your Eye Contact

Once you agree where to meet, make an effort to maintain eye contact with your potential client even before you shake their hand. Maintaining eye contact shows that you are confident, and you also acknowledge meeting this client. If a client wants someone who can represent them in a criminal defense case and you as an attorney cannot maintain eye contact, they will wonder how you will be able to represent them in a court full of other people. However, you should avoid being creepy whereby you stare at your client but rather look slightly left or right then back to them. When you look down or other ways every time your client is talking to you, they will think that you are not interested, you are afraid, or you are hiding something, and that does not amount to a good first impression. 

3. Introduce Yourself Nicely

How you introduce yourself when you meet a potential client for the first time matters a great deal, because they will either relax, be afraid of you or feel uncomfortable around you. In this case, avoid introducing yourself using an elevator pitch but rather a positive or warm introduction. Let your introduction be short and focused on the business. For instance, as a criminal lawyer in Tampa, tell the client who you are and what you do in a few sentences and mention something that brought you two together and comment that you are glad you met. You can finally say something positive and pose a question to them to allow them to join into the conversation. Sometimes it is nice to memorize your introduction speech to kick start your conversation with confidence and without worry that you will mess everything by saying something wrong. 

4. Speak Slowly, but with Confidence

Speaking slowly when talking to someone helps you to say the things you intended to say without messing up. Talking faster will never impress anyone especially if you keep stumbling or making hasty and awkward pauses. Also talking faster makes you look more nervous than confident. When you speak slowly, you will look more professional and provide the other person a chance to not only listen but also comprehend what you are saying to them. Confidence is one quality that will make a person seeking for your services to be satisfied that you will represent them adequately. In this case, consider being confident and say everything slower for them to get what you are telling them. 

5. Show That You Are Genuinely Interested

When a client tells you what they need from you, do not reply with an “I can do it” only, but also ask more questions concerning their specific problem. This will prove to them that you are genuinely interested in helping them with what they need and help them in the right way. For instance, as a criminal defense lawyer, you must ask questions and request documents that may help in winning the case and also explain legal terms surrounding that particular case. A genuine interest will trigger a good business relationship from your first meeting and eventually win the client’s trust.