How to Make a Lasting First Impression and Build Trust

In today’s digital business world, making a strong first impression and establishing trust is essential for building successful relationships—especially when starting your business development journey in industries like automotive and telecommunications. Here’s how you can create a positive impression and maintain trust in virtual meetings.

Making a Strong First Impression in Digital Meetings

First impressions matter even more so in virtual settings where distractions are many and non-verbal cues are limited. To make a lasting impression, have your camera running all the time:

Non-Verbal Communication: Look directly at the camera to mimic eye contact, and use positive facial expressions like smiling and nodding to convey engagement and openness. Adjust your camera so that it is at eye level.
Appearance and Environment: Dress professionally and choose a clean, distraction-free background. Good lighting and a quality camera are critical to enhancing facial clarity, vital for conveying sincerity. Placing lights behind the camera improves video quality and makes it easier to work with virtual backgrounds.
Digital Communication Skills: Speak clearly and maintain a moderate pace to ensure understanding. Ensure good audio quality with a dedicated microphone, as this is crucial to being understood.

Building and Maintaining Trust in Business Relationships

Trust is the foundation of any professional relationship. Building trust requires consistency, competence, and communication in digital environments with limited non-verbal cues.

Consistent and Reliable: Always be on time, maintain a stable internet connection, and follow through on commitments. Consistent actions build trust over time.
Competence and Tech Savviness: Be proficient with digital tools and platforms. Knowing how to navigate virtual meeting software, troubleshoot issues, and use features like breakout rooms effectively can significantly enhance credibility.
Open Communication: Be clear about meeting goals and agendas. Regular check-ins and transparent discussions about potential issues help avoid misunderstandings and build strong partnerships.
Engagement and Inclusivity: Encourage participation, ask for input from quieter members, and use interactive tools like polls to create a collaborative environment. Regular, proactive communication—whether through weekly or bi-weekly check-ins—is key to maintaining trust.

How Many Contacts Are Needed to Establish a Relationship?

Research suggests that forming a solid business relationship often requires multiple contacts. The “Rule of Seven” from marketing indicates that at least seven touchpoints are needed before a person takes action or forms a strong impression. Professional networking generally takes around three meaningful contacts to move from initial awareness to deeper engagement.

The key is not just the number of contacts but their frequency and consistency. Frequent, predictable communication helps compensate for the lack of physical presence and non-verbal cues, particularly in virtual settings. However, be aware of unnecessary meetings and avoid them!

Lessons from the Automotive and Telecom Industries

Suppliers must demonstrate adaptability, transparency, and proactive engagement in the telecom industry, where product life cycles are short, and the pace is rapid. In contrast, the automotive industry requires a more structured, long-term approach to relationship-building, emphasising reliability and consistent performance. Be aware of the difference in communication.

Make Your Digital Connections Count

To succeed in today’s digital landscape, you must make a solid first impression, establish trust, and maintain it over time through consistent and open communication. By applying these principles and learning from different industries, you can build meaningful relationships that thrive in a virtual world.

To master this craft, I compiled a How-To Guide on how to make the best first impression. You can download it in the Download section. Or schedule a Free Consultation Call and discuss your casting portfolio.