6 different ways businesses can make strong first impressions

We all know that first impressions count, whether it is on a date, in a job interview or meeting friends, and it is just as important to get it right where your business is concerned too.

The first impression a client or visitor gets when they walk through the doors of your business will colour a lot of what they go on to think about it. That is why the team at Distinctive Confectionery have put together their top tips on how to help your business make a good first impression.

1. Making connections

When any of us consider working with a business in some form or another, we want to know that we can trust them. Many people do this by trying to find a way that they can connect with the business, and this is often done through real relationships with real people. Showing the human side of your business can be a great way for potential customers to get to know you and engage with you right from the start.

2. Be unique

Every marketplace is a competitive one these days, and so it is important to find ways to make your business stand out. This means creating a meaningful brand for your business and finding new, innovative and quirky ways to promote it. There is so much of the world at your fingertips that the possibilities are endless, so allow yourself to be creative and find different ways to help you stand out from the crowd.

3. Corporate gifting

We all love to receive a present, and your customers are no exception. Corporate gifting is a terrific way to introduce your business and instantly create a good first impression. Receiving something for free, especially if it is unexpected, can make people sit up and take notice.

This means you could give anything away that contains your branding, from pens to keychains, but confectionery is usually the gift that gets everybody talking.

Sweets or chocolates are universally loved and will be immediately appreciated. They can be passed around an office or household, ensuring that everyone sees your branding and develops positive connotations with it.

4. Listen

If you are meeting somebody for the first time, you will probably have a lot that you want to tell them about what you offer and why you are the business for them, but one of the most powerful things you can do to make a good impression is not to talk, but to listen.

By listening actively, you can develop a better understanding of what that person wants from you, and you can then adapt your approach to show how you can solve their problems. Make sure that you ask questions, but it is just as important to listen to the answers and see what you can learn.

Talk to them about their interests and use their name where you can, as this all shows that you are taking what they are saying on board and have a personal connection with them.

When someone comes away from a meeting or an encounter with a business feeling as though they have been listened to and that you are genuinely interested in them and their needs, they will have much more positive feelings.

5. Body language

Our words can say a lot about us, but our body language can say much more. You can make a good impression from the first few seconds that you meet someone by greeting them with a smile and showing that you are pleased to see them.

Make sure that you maintain eye contact as much as possible and have warm and open body language instead of something that could be seen as defensive or aggressive, such as folded arms.

6. Reflect your brand

You need to reflect everything your brand stands for, so make sure that there are no obvious contradictions or conflicts.

We only get one chance to make a first impression, so it is vital for your business that you get it right the first time. Look at the different ways that you can apply these tips to help make sure that your business knows how to get off to a positive start at all times.