The experts say that it takes an average of 7 seconds to make your first impression. So how is yours? Whether you are connecting with customers over the phone or in person, your first impressions speaks volumes about your professionalism, your business acumen, and your ability to conduct business the way your customers expect.

First, lets take a look at your first impressions over the telephone. Many salespeople begin their phone conversations with the unimaginative old line, "How are you?", thinking that this is a good opener. Salespeople who begin with this line are  are either reading from a script, are in a dated habit, or are stymied by having to actually engage a prospect over the phone! Every customer knows that receiving a phone call, particularly from a stranger, beginning with this line, is going to be a sales call. Already the first impression has been tarnished. So, first piece of advice to make a good impression? Avoid, "How are you?"

What do you say? Start off with who you are and what you do. It may sound something like this: "Hello, Eric. This is Renee Walkup with SalesPEAK. I'm calling to ask you a couple of quick questions about your sales organization." If the call is a referral, you may want to try this: "Hello, Eric. This is Renee Walkup with SalesPEAK. Margaret Hines said we need to talk about your sales organization and how we may be able to work together in increasing their performance."

Here are your second tips in making an impressive first impression. Manage your tone, cadence and voice inflection. Do you sound energetic, upbeat, and focued? Are you sitting up in your chair, at your desk, with a clear desk and computer turned off?

Or do you sound distracted because you are checking email, working on a proposal, or flipping through the latest business magazine? Your customers can tell. How? Your posture and distracted tone provide the message of disinterest. Keep your head up, your voice strong, and your words very specific. That way, you are making the first impression you want.

Does a voice mail first impression count? You bet. The customer hears your voice (upbeat and in control) and makes an immediate decision. Either a) I'm going to delete this message,  b) I'm going to listen to this message and may call the person back.

Keep in mind that even if you don't get a returned call right away, when you leave subsequent messages, your prospect will hear your voice and think to themselves, "Oh yeah. Renee is the person who called me last week. She sounded pretty good. I'll call her back this time."

Before you get too excited (and as a professional salesperson, I hope you do get easily encouraged; it's a tough world out there), keep in mind that the average customer has to hear your name SIX times before returning your call. So don't just hang up because Ms. Dream Prospect didn't answer. Leave her a message. Then another message, etc. Everytime you call her, leave a different type of message to encourage a call back. Avoid making a "claim". You know the old, "Lose weight while you sleep" method. That never works. However, providing a message that has legs will be a step in the right direction. Here's an example: "Hello, Bob.This is Renee Walkup with SalesPEAK. I noticed that your firm just won the 'top best companies to work for' award. I'd like to talk with you about that. Call me back at 678 587-9911."

Want to make a memorable first impression? Try these tips above and happy selling!

(c)Renee Walkup, All rights reserved, 678 587-9911, www.salespeak.com