subject: 4 Ways To Dress To Attract New Clients [print this page] Have you ever wondered if you're dressing appropriately to attract new clients? Does your business attire scream uninspired, out of date or even un-innovative?
With a myriad of competitors on your back ready to swipe clients out from underneath you, it has never been more important than now to dress to attract the types of clients you want. Here are 4 simple tips to keep in mind when heading out to client meetings for men and women.
1. Update Your Suits at Least Every 5 years - Nothing yells to your clients more strongly than out of date clothing. The subconscious messages you are sending to your potential clients may include; out of touch with the current world, they can't look after themselves then how are they going to look after me? Stick with styles that aren't high fashion and will be out of date when next winter comes around. Classic will always last longer. If you're looking to dress up your plain suits, play around with shirt/tie/scarf combinations instead.
2. Shirts and Ties - Update your shirts and ties regularly. Get your basics and then start mixing and matching to develop new styles when meeting your clients. To attract credibility go for darker colours for your ties and suits (except in shirts). The darker the suit you go the more credibility you will find that you attract. With your clients dress to match the situation, if they're in business casual, you too need to dress in business casual otherwise you run the risk of breaking any potential rapport that may have been there subconsciously through your clothes. Remember, like attracts like.
3. Hair - Man or woman, you need to be sporting a current haircut that doesn't look like you've stepped out of a time warp. Please note, if you're currently sporting a comb over, do something about it! There are many hair re-growth products on the market. If you're not interested in them cut your hair shorter all over. Every so often change hairdressers and try a different style and cut that suits you and is current.
Women, nothing looks worse than un-kept hair. You're sending messages of disorganisation and tattiness. This is a sure fire way to attract less credibility and respect among your peers and clients in your industry.
4. Personal Grooming, body odour is one of the worst culprits for men and women. There are fantastic products on the market that will stop even the heaviest sweater from drenching their business attire. Be aware that they will most likely include zinc and be sure to follow the directions carefully.
Dri-clor is one of my personal favourites. You can purchase it from chemists and you only need to use it once every 3-4 days to stop you sweating completely. Simply put it on at night time then during the day put a body spray on to give a pleasant perfume.
Remember, the amount of people you are competing against for new business is never ending. Every little differentiating point you can find will give you that competitive edge needed to get the prospect over the line.
