Number 18 in my series of business networking tips is to look the part. How we look plays an important part of how we get remembered and how we build our credibility. Like it or not, first impressions count.
How you look when attending business networking meetings can make a big difference. I know several photographers through business networking and only one of them always takes their camera to events. Guess which one gets the most work?
I have also met a couple of people doing pest control – one goes in a suit and the other goes in his branded work wear. Which do you think you are likely to remember when you think of pest control?
Some professionals have typical associations and you stand a better chance of being remembered for the right reasons if you look the part. For example, without knowing anything else….
- Who would you rather trust your tax affairs with?
Someone dressed in a smart pin stripe suit, or someone dressed in scruffy jeans?
I know a marketer who gets remembered for the wrong reason. He does not take much care of his own appearance. He does not seem to get the irony that he is in marketing and yet does not realise his personal appearance is letting him down. It’s a bit like a slimming coach who is excessively overweight – people just don’t take you seriously.
You can get a little creative with looking the part. I remember a clever lady who sold office furniture and took along a bright orange mini office chair with her to networking meetings. A person selling office furniture does not have any particular look but add a chair and it gets noticed and remembered!
How we look is an important aspect of marketing and especially applies to business networking. People make judgements, good or bad, based on what they see. When your appearance matches what you are offering then you will not only seem more credible but you are more likely to get remembered.
