Making a good first impression is vital to any entrepreneur, but working from home can leave your business greetings a little rusty. Do you have trouble knowing whether your professional salutations are up to par? If not, it’s time for a refresher course. Heed these do’s and don’ts to make sure you’re memorable for all the right reasons when making business introductions.
Don’t greet everyone with a hug. It’s true that Americans are huggers: According to research from The Creative Group, more than half (54 percent) of U.S. executives surveyed said hugging colleagues is at least somewhat common, up from 30 percent five years ago. When you work from home, you may be overjoyed to see business contacts in the flesh, but hugs should be reserved for those you are certain would like to receive them.
Do greet clients with a firm handshake. Clients are a whole different ball game when it comes to hugs. More than three-quarters (77 percent) of executives said business embraces are rarely, if ever, appropriate when greeting these individuals. When meeting clients, handshakes are definitely the gold standard.
Don’t send unsolicited texts to business contacts. It’s fine if you’ve established that your manager is open to receiving texts from you, say, when you’re going to be out sick for the day. But texting professional contacts is generally considered quite informal and not recommended. It’s better to stick to traditional modes of communication, like phone calls and email.
Do keep your voice messages and greetings short and sweet. When you’re leaving a voicemail message, appreciate that the other person’s time is valuable. Keep your business greetings in voicemail to the basics: Your name, the purpose of your call and how to reach you. Likewise, your outgoing voicemail message should be personalized but succinct.
Don’t stray away from Ms. In the past, using Mrs. Smith for a married woman or Miss Smith for a single woman was the standard in business introductions. But unless you have a personal relationship with the person, it’s better not to make assumptions about marital status. It’s much safer to use the standard Ms. for all women in formal business greetings.
Do be aware of cultural differences. In creative industries in the United States, immediately going to a first-name basis when conducting business introductions is quite common. When working with professional contacts from other countries, it’s more respectful to use formal titles with last names until advised otherwise.
Don’t assume everyone knows everyone. When joining coworkers or clients in person or on a conference call, make a point to introduce everyone. The traditional etiquette of business greetings states you should name the most important people first – often your clients or the highest-ranking individuals in your organization.
Do have an elevator pitch prepared. When introducing yourself, have a one-sentence elevator pitch at the ready so you don’t hesitate when someone asks, “What do you do?” Practice it in front of a mirror or with a friend to work out the kinks. Here are some great examples:
- “I run a marketing agency that supports mid-sized businesses in the Bay Area.”
- “I’m a financial planner, mainly focusing on estate planning and money management for individuals.”
- “I’m a communications professional specializing in content marketing and social media in the tech industry.”
Don’t draw a blank. Repeating names when meeting people for the first time (“It’s nice to meet you, Jane …”) enables you to quickly establish rapport and commit their names to memory.
Do mention specifics about why you’re introducing two contacts. In person or in an email, be sure to note what the two individuals you’re introducing have in common or what they are likely to talk about. Did they attend the same school? Perhaps they work in the same field or live in the same neighborhood. Or maybe their experience dovetails perfectly for a planned project.
Don’t forget to use spell-check on your business introductions. Just because email can feel less formal than an in-person introduction doesn’t mean you should cut corners or rush when writing. Always double-check your spelling – especially of the names of the people you’re emailing – before shooting off business introductions via email.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make the most of it. Thoughtful business introductions are sure to pay dividends for you as well as for the people you connect.
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