I came across this article on networking in one of my favorite newsletters – Early To Rise – and thought I would pass it along.

Networking Tip: Make First Impressions Count
By Michael Masterson
According to Nicholas Boothman, author of How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less, what you do in the first few minutes of every personal encounter determines how people will respond to you later on. First impressions do count, Boothman believes, more than most people realize.

I agree. And it’s not just the very first impression. It’s the first impression you give each and every time you greet someone. So each and every time you encounter a friend, family member, or business associate, do the following:
1. Make yourself feel positive and allow that feeling to be reflected in the way you hold yourself.
2. Make eye contact. Always look the other person directly in the eye, even if only for a moment.
3. Be the first to smile. Let your smile, as well as your body language, show that you’re happy to see him.
4. Make your "Hi!" or "Hello!" sound sincerely welcoming.
5. Take the lead. Extend your hand first.
6. Shake his hand strongly. Shake it like you mean it. Remember, your handshake provides an instant message about you. Are you an important person? A friendly person? Someone who can be trusted? Answers to these questions - and more - can be conveyed by your handshake. Ask a few trusted friends or colleagues to check out your handshake. Make sure the signals you are giving are those you intend. If they aren’t, make changes.
7. Lean toward him. An almost imperceptible forward tilt will very subtly indicate your interest in and openness to the other person.

[Ed. Note: Take advantage of Michael's advice whenever you meet people who could be important to your career - when, for example, you attend events like this year's Info Marketing Bootcamp. And for more of his tips on how to present yourself in a positive way, pick up a copy of Power and Persuasion.]

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, the Internet’s most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.