When meeting with a new or prospective client for the first time for the first time, you always want to leave a good, lasting impression.  Here are some tips for making sure you start off on the right foot.  These may seem like common sense, but when you watch for these, you’ll notice how often people DON’T do these:

1.  Speak clearly and annunciate.  This isn’t just so they understand you better.  It is so you sound confident and knowledgable.  Mumbling and fidgeting through your words is a sign of nervousness and uncertainty.  Pay attention to how you speak.
2. Listen.  You may be excited to tell them all about you and what you’re offering them, but first, find out what they need.  Ask them questions about their current situation and company, take a moment to pause and think, and then respond.  Never interrupt.  Always let them finish and take that as a moment to observe them and find out what they are like.  You show that youcare about them, want to know more, and genuinely want to help them.
3. Did they understand your offer?  Make sure that whatever you are offering your client is clear and understandable in just a few sentences.  Some things may seem complex, but try to break it down enough so the client sees a clear benefit.  You want them drawn in early before you lose their attention, so make sure you aren’t losing them!
4. Follow up.  Make sure to let them know that you will be in contact with them.  Thank them for the chance to meet them and throw in a tidbit of knowledge or something extra to make them feel special, and to show that you are valuable.
5. Don’t be too salesy.  People hate a pushy sales guy, but they love a guy who can help them.  You aren’t there to sell your product/service, you are there to HELP them with your product/service.  It is all about what you can do for them, not you making a buck.  Going after them like a shark after its meal is a sure way of scaring them out of your ocean.

These seem like normal things you should always do, but surprisingly, I see people NOT doing these.  It is one thing to know these things, but another to practice them.  Be sure to really keep these in mind when meeting someone new.  These steps will help put you on the inside with them.