subject: How To Make The Right Impression When Meeting Clients [print this page] Everyone knows that first impressions really do count, and if you are in business you will know that they can mean the difference between securing a deal and losing clients. If you will be meeting with prospective clients for the first time, a good way to get off on the right foot from the word go is to make a good impression but this can sometimes seem quite difficult.
It can be easy to feel intimidated by certain clients, but what you need to remember is that it is your job to show them exactly why they need to work with your company. You should keep the mentality of the client always being right, so as not to appear rude or threatening to them, but it is also important that you make them understand that, with your companys help, they can go far. Always answer every single question that a client has and be to the point without seeming brisk. You should also try to remain professional at every turning with clients and should never allow your conversations to lapse into personal matters.
When meeting clients for the first time it can be a good idea to hold the meeting outside of your own office. There are many reasons for this, with one of the most important ones being that it will help to create a good impression of your business. It will also seem less threatening to the client, as they wont have to come to your office in order to hold the meeting, and it may be easier for them to get to. This is a sign of hospitality that they are sure to appreciate and you will be able to build on this later in the meeting.
You should also ensure that everyone attending the meeting from your company is smartly dresses and fully prepared. Anyone that will be talking during the meeting should have prepared a speech beforehand and have memorised it, or prepared cue cards that they will be able to refer to throughout the presentation.
To show extra hospitality to your clients you might want to think about asking the hotel to prepare a small buffet lunch for the meeting, which both you and your clients can have either before or after the meeting. After your presentation is over and everyone is preparing to leave it can be nice to arrange for a taxi back to your clients accommodation or office, which the hotel should be able to do for you.
