After you’ve finished your tech training and looked around at the top tech jobs, you might find yourself opting to start your own tech business. Way to go, you hard-charging business animal, you! You’re the sort of person who makes this country great. Knowing how to impress a client in first meeting scenarios is crucial to succeeding in the tech world, though. Are you ready for the all-important first impression?
Hold off before you answer that question, Sparky. We’re here to make sure the answer is “yes,” and we won’t take “no” for an answer. Which, I suppose, should go without saying. Ahem. In this guide, we give you some fantastic tips that you can use to impress your new customers and make them happy that they selected you. We give you pointers on how to prepare and carry yourself, and you’ll also get suggestions on how to make the client feel valued and appreciated. Ready? Let’s make it happen.
How to Impress a Client in First Meeting Situations
- Be Professional
Yeah, yeah. First impressions are the most important ones and all that. Blah, blah, blah. There’s a reason you hear variations on that notion all the time in the business world, though. When’s the last time you changed your mind on the way you regarded a person? I bet it doesn’t happen too often. You won’t get a second chance if you don’t nail the first impression, so make your short time with the client count as much as possible.
- Be Prepared
Make sure to prepare thoroughly for the meeting. Bone up on the client, and be ready to break out information about them as required. The top tech businesses have some standard tools that you’ll need to keep close for your interviews, too; always bring a laptop and writing supplies with you. Present yourself as relaxed and comfortable in your surroundings, too, as clients like to feel as if their business is in safe hands.
- Listen to Your Client
The tech industry attracts top minds from all walks of life, and many of them can be insufferable jerkheads to everyone they regard as less knowledgeable about tech matters. Clients don’t respond well to this sort of treatment, so you need to dial it back and listen to what they have to say. Once you’ve stimulated conversation on a subject, just sit back and let the client do the lion’s share of the talking.
- Be Responsive
Just listening and nodding isn’t enough to keep your clients happy, of course. You also need to respond with appropriate clarifying questions. Asking probing and constructive questions is one of the top soft skills for tech business reps and will ensure your client stays confident that you have their best interests at heart at all times. Your attitude throughout the meeting is essential, too. Don’t walk into a meeting expecting to sign a contract; be open and friendly. It’s the best way to land the client’s business.
And that’s the whole shootin’ match, pardners. Starting a tech company is a fantastic way to put your new skills to great use. You’ll need to learn how to navigate client meetings to succeed, though. Our guide shows you how to impress a client in first meeting scenarios and can give you the assist you need to make your business soar.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
