First impressions count and this means online too.

Have you ever met someone for the first time and immediately decided (assumed) what kind of person they are? Then it took forever to change your own opinion because first impressions stick, don’t they?

You definitely are not alone, as most people tend to judge the person that they meet based on their first impressions about them, which only lasts about 7 seconds.

I had a legal client once who wanted to update his Linkedin profile. So I had a look at his Facebook page which from the looks of it is set to public access, anyone could see him. The first picture on his feed was of the worst kind of pic. A Female stripper, totally overmade with makeup and clothing from a bucks party. Sitting on the toilet seat drinking champagne from a shoe. He was tagged by a mate and incidentally had never attended the bucks party in question. But first impressions count and if he was my lawyer, I kind of think my case would have been lost from the start. So what will you find when you go searching for yourself?

This is the reason why it is important to make an impression that you know would showcase your best attributes in a split second. Whether it be to one person or a future company. 

This applies to businesses as well, as your audience will look for an indication on how you will interact with them, provide your services, products or experience if they become your client. Watch what you post online. If you tend to comment and engage with  posts on social media, remember others see it too. Don’t be scared of negative feedback, it is how you handle it that people look for. Everyone has a bad day at the office or coffee shop. Turn it around into positive PR and you will win more followers that way.

I know it can be quite difficult to maintain a cool head and respond positively when someone drops a bad comment on your feed, but don’t respond if you are worked up, tone of voice does come through on social media.

Sure, being yourself sounds great, too. So next time, Try to search for yourself on facebook, linkedin or any other media. Then ask yourself, do I like what I see?  Occasionally you need to audit your own social profile, log out of all your accounts, use a different browser and check yourself out. If you want to leave a good impression that would last a lifetime, then you’d have to work for it. But it does pay off, when people get to know you are the real deal.