Professional Image Counts!

-Make your one chance to make a first impression count!

By Dwan Bent-Twyford & Sharon Restrepo
The "Dynamic Duo" of Foreclosures!

Most of the investors we know work from home. If you do, ask yourself this question; "When I make a new contact do they get the impression I have a home office or that I am part of a larger corporation?" There are several ways to give off the appearance of a larger company when in reality it is just you, your back bedroom, and a few good pieces of equipment.

First of all, get a decent computer and printer. You can prepare awesome flyers, newsletters, brochures, business cards and more. At every meeting or event you attend you will have the opportunity to promote your business. Be ready! Prepare some nice flyers stating what your business does and how it can help others. A computer can change your entire appearance.

Do you have a cell phone or pager? It is a "must-have" these days. Do you have an email address? Does it reflect a professional business. You may want to drop the addresses like bigjohn.com or bettieboop.com and opt for a more professional address like foreclosures.com or homesforsale.com. It should reflect your business.

Let's talk about my personal pet peeve next, fax lines. Do you have a designated fax line? Why not? It makes you appear sooooo amateur to have to tell people "give me a minute to turn on the fax". Or worse yet, someone tries to fax you something and you answer the fax line. Then they have to explain what they are doing and fax again.

What about business cards. Do you have them? At our meetings each month we ask people to take out five business cards and exchange them with five new people. You'd be surprised how many people are at a networking meeting and have no cards! Nothing says I'm not a professional like having no cards.

Last and certainly not least, let's discuss, attitude, dress, and overall appearance. When people meet you, do you come across friendly and helpful? Do you always have a positive attitude? You never know what important role someone may play in your career at a later date.

How are you dressed right now? If you are looking at houses, don't drip in gold and diamonds. If you are attending a meeting or event, wear a suit or business attire. Always dress for the occasion. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression! Make it count!