5 Steps to a Positive First Impression

5 Steps to a Positive First Impression
First impressions are a strong factor in whether or not you lease an apartment. We sometimes forget that this crucial moment happens every time a prospect walks through our door. So shape up with these easy and important steps.

1- Take A Look In The Mirror!
First impressions are all about appearances. Is your appearance neat, clean and approachable? How about your breath and perfume or cologne? You want to look and smell good without overdoing it, so easy on the heavy makeup or scents.

2- Be Prompt & Present
There's no worse impression than simply not being there. If a prospect shows up and you're running late and haven't opened up the leasing office yet, your prospect is gone and you just lost a potential resident. It's equally important to have someone answering the phone during business hours. You'd be amazed at how often a call to any given leasing office during standard business hours results in an answering machine, or worse, no answer at all! Dont be that office, someone must be answering phones all day!

3- Get That Name Right!
So many first and last names these days are unusual, or difficult to pronounce. Butchering someone's name makes them feel self-conscious and put-off. If you don't know how to pronounce a name, ask! Listen carefully and say something like, "that's a really beautiful name, how exactly do you pronounce it?" It's simple and the person will feel that you've really taken an interest in them personally.

4- Don't Forget The Handshake
You've heard it a million times but it really is vital to a good first impression. A limp, soggy-fish handshake makes most people want to run for the door. Don't forget full palm contact, one or two pumps and a firm but gentle grip. Have your office practice with each other and give critiques. It's fun and really helpful for perfecting technique without using residents and prospects as guinea pigs!

5- Give Out Only High Quality Materials
Prospects aren't just seeing you, they're judging your community on the basis of the materials you give them. Don't forget that your marketing material keeps giving impressions long after they've left, when they're sorting through all their information at home. Reference our September-October, 2003 issue for a guide to improving your marketing materials.

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