Making a great impression online and offline is a crucial skill for building relationships, whether it's for personal or professional purposes. You want to convey your personality, value, and interest in a positive and authentic way, without being too pushy or boring. Here are some tips to help you achieve that goal in different settings and platforms.
Depending on your purpose and audience, you might use different online channels to communicate and connect with others. For example, email, social media, video calls, or messaging apps. Each channel has its own norms, expectations, and etiquette, so you need to be aware of them and adapt accordingly. For instance, you might use a more formal tone and structure in an email than in a text message, or you might use emojis and gifs to add some humor and personality to a social media post.
Your online profile is like your digital resume and portfolio. It showcases your skills, achievements, interests, and values to potential employers, clients, or partners. You want to make sure your profile is clear, concise, and consistent across different platforms, and that it reflects your personal brand and goals. You also want to include some elements that make you stand out and show your human side, such as a catchy headline, a friendly photo, or a relevant hobby.
One of the best ways to make a great impression online is to engage with others in a respectful and genuine way. This means that you should comment, like, share, or follow content that you find valuable, relevant, or interesting, and that you should acknowledge and respond to feedback or questions that you receive. You should also avoid spamming, trolling, or ghosting others, as these behaviors can damage your reputation and trust. Instead, you should aim to provide value, support, or insight to your online network.
Both online and offline, the key to successfully building relationships is to be respectful, open-minded and genuine. Transactional messages or direct requests (refer me / buy my product / etc.) from strangers creates an automatic discomfort. Building trust and relationships takes time, efforts and genuine two-way interest. Take the time to get to know the person you are contacting by reading their profile, and finding areas of interest. Then if possible, invite them for a chat about some of those common interests without any expectation, except that of having a very interesting conversation. If the relationship is genuine and the interaction is positive, both parties will want to find ways to help each other naturally.
Before you meet someone offline, whether it's for a job interview, a networking event, or a social occasion, you should prepare and practice some aspects of your interaction. For example, you should research the person or the organization, have some questions or topics ready, and rehearse your elevator pitch or introduction. You should also dress appropriately, check your hygiene and grooming, and pack any materials or items that you might need.
When you meet someone offline, you want to project confidence and courtesy through your body language, voice, and behavior. You should smile, make eye contact, shake hands firmly, and use positive gestures and expressions. You should also speak clearly, confidently, and politely, and avoid interrupting, dominating, or contradicting the conversation. You should also show interest and appreciation for the other person, by listening actively, asking open-ended questions, and giving compliments or feedback.
After you meet someone offline, you want to follow up and stay in touch with them, to maintain and strengthen the relationship. You should send a thank-you note or message within 24 hours, expressing your gratitude and highlighting the key points or outcomes of the meeting. You should also suggest or agree on the next steps or actions, and set a deadline or a reminder for them. You should also keep in touch periodically, by sharing relevant information, updates, or opportunities, or by celebrating achievements or milestones.
Some specific examples of how you can make a great impression online and offline Online: Respond to comments and questions promptly and thoughtfully. Share interesting and informative content that is relevant to your audience. Be active on social media and participate in relevant discussions. Use your website or blog to showcase your expertise and share your knowledge. Offline: Be a good listener and show that you're interested in what others have to say. Be mindful of your body language and make eye contact. Be generous with your compliments and praise. Be willing to help out others, even if it's just a small task. Be someone that people can rely on and trust.