Quick Guide:

Fantastic
First Impressions
The Four Steps That Will Help You
Stand Out, Be Memorable, And Create
Fantastic First Impressions

Jeff Callahan

Become More Compelling

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In this guide, you will be able to quickly scan the components of a
fantastic first impression. This guide will help you dominate that first
1/10th of a second and make a good first impression every time.

1. Smile
Smiling is crucial when you’re meeting someone for a few reasons:

• Smiling shows that you aren’t a threat, humans are basically

walking talking threat detectors. Don’t take it personally, think of it
as an outdated operating system on a computer, great for keeping
us alive for thousands of years, maybe not so good when we’re
being introduced to the new boss at work.

• Smiling also shows that you are happy to be where you are,
meeting that new person.

• Fake vs. Real. A real smile involves tiny muscles around your
eyes. The edges of your eyelids and temples crinkle up. A fake
smile ignores the muscles around your eyes. Subconsciously,
people can tell if you’re faking it.

• How do I get a real smile going?! Simple. Do the work

beforehand of finding things that make you smile. So, when
you’re in the moment you can think back to that thing that make
you genuinely smile. Easy-peasy.
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 2. Eye Contact
Eye contact is one of the most basic ways we connect as a
species. Here’s my personal rule of thumb for eye contact:

• Look at that person’s eyes until they look away. Full

disclosure, THIS IS UNCOMFORTABLE if you’ve never done it
before. It took me a while to become comfortable with this. You
can do this, the world will NOT explode.

• After they look away, you look away. Very simple. After they
break eye contact, you do too. I typically focus on something in
the distance behind their shoulder.

• Wait for THEM to re-engage eye contact. While I’m focused

on that object in the distance, I can keep track of their eyes in
my periphery. When I sense that they are ready to make eye
contact again I will meet their gaze. Rinse and repeat.

• How much is too much? If you’re following the above steps,

you should be doing fine. If you’re concerned about making
TOO much eye contact, gauge your reactions from people. Are
they breaking eye contact constantly? Is this a trend that you’ve
noticed with five or more people?

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 3. Firm Handshake
Have you ever met someone, reached to shake their hand, and
promptly give them a dead fish handshake?

Me too. Let’s try to not do that anymore. Here are key components
of a dynamite handshake:

• Keep cold, wet drinks out of your right hand. Olivia Fox
recommended this in her book The Charisma Myth. You don’t want
to give or receive a wet, cold handshake.

• Web-to-web. Fox also recommends opening your thumb/index

finger area for an optimal landing zone for the shake to occur.

• Shake it like a polaroid picture! Shake from your elbow, not

your wrist. I typically shake up and down twice.

• Should I try to crush their soul through their hand to assert

dominance?! Um, no. Simply squeeze as much as your partner
does. Forget all the weird shit you’ve read online about angling
your hand 27 degrees to the left to subtly declare superiority.
Just be a human.

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 4. Spontaneous Compliments
Here’s a little bit of social magic for your utility belt. Compliments
are one of the best ways to connect and begin a conversation with
anyone. Here are the key points to remember:

• Pay attention. When you meet someone new, pay attention to

what they’re wearing and compliment them on it.

• Shoes • Shirt • Glasses • Belt

• Purse • Pants • Socks • Hat
• Watch • Scarf • Sweater • Tie
• Jewelry • Glasses • Hair • Rings

• People generally put thought into what they leave the house in.
The fact that you noticed will instantly set you apart and make you
memorable. It’s a great way to break the ice.

• Bonus points: Ask them about the item you just complimented
them on. “I like that shirt, where’d you get it?” Fox recommends this in
her book, and I think it’s a fantastic natural segue into small talk.

Next: Putting It All Together…

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 Putting It All Together

Scenario time: You’re walking into a restaurant meeting some

friends for dinner. You know that there will be one person at dinner
that you’ve never met. How does that initial greeting look?

• You walk up to the table. “Hey guys, good to see you.” You shake
hands with your friends.

• You turn to face the new person, you flash a smile as you make
eye contact. “Hi, I’m Jeff.” You extend your hand, thumb and index
finger spread wide. “Hi, I’m Sam.” You firmly grasp Sam’s hand and
shake.

• You notice Sam’s watch. “Oh, That’s a really cool watch, is it a

heirloom, or did you pick it out yourself?”

BOOM. First impression made. Knowing what you know now, I think
you’ll be able to make killer first impressions from this moment on.
With that said, keep in mind that like anything else, you’ll get better
the more you practice. Now get out there and be awesome.

PS. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I read every email.
©BMC