7 Rules for Making a Great First Impression

Making a good first impression is priceless, says communication coach Carmine Gallo, who writes a weekly column for BusinessWeek Online. Here are seven steps Gallo says will ensure you are remembered positively:

Respond within 24 hours. Answering an e-mail or phone call within 24 hours shows you care.
Greet people with enthusiasm, in person or on the phone. Sounding too busy to talk is a turn off.
Make eye contact. People feel like you value them when you give them your fullest attention.
Leave smart voice messages. Repeat your phone number, and don’t leave long rambling messages on voicemail. The listener may never get to the end.
Respect your contacts. If someone gives you a business card, it’s an invitation to open a dialog, not permission to bombard him with sales material.
Keep e-mail concise. Use a short subject line and keep correspondence to two or three short paragraphs.
Small things count. A handwritten note or other personal message that isn’t focused on sales makes the recipient feel valued as a person.