INTRODUCTION

We have all heard the phrases about first impressions, “you only get one chance to create a great first impression,” and “you don’t get a second chance to create a first impression,” the list goes on and on. These quotes all make sense, but what is a first impression?

According to yourdictionary.com, a first impression is what a person thinks of you when they first meet you. It is the feeling that they get or the initial evaluation that a person does of you when they first meet you. It can be done during a glance, a conversation or even from a distance when someone is looking at your body language. Eye contact or lack thereof can also have an impact on a first impression.

Have you ever heard the saying "It's not what you say but rather how you say it?" This statement alone speaks volumes and can make or break a first impression. Sometimes the way in which a person delivers the sentence or statements that they are saying is a complete deal breaker regarding the first impressionthat they give. So, you should definitely be mindful of how you deliver your statements.

Merriam-Webster defines the legal definition of first impression as a noun first im·pres·sion: first consideration or judgment; while the Urban Dictionary says it is “how you present yourself in the meeting of a new person.”

Whatever definition you use, there are several areas you may want to pay particular attention to when thinking about your first impression. How do we ensure we are doing our best to create that first impression? A good start would be to take a close look at the following areas (in no particular order):

• Your Headshot
• The Handshake
• Your Attire
• Your Hygiene
• Punctuality
• Be Yourself
• Be Present
• Be a Connector
• Provide Value
• Confidence
• Be Responsive
• Be Prepared
• Be Different

It is my hope that you will uncover some valuable tips and techniques to incorporate into your routine that will enhance your chances to make a great first (and lasting) impression. I would love to hear your feedback on the areas discussed in this book and as such offer you my email address to contact me directly: barry@visibledigitalsolutions.com.

Let’s get started, shall we?

Wishing you great success in all your endeavors,

Barry C. Donovan

P.S.  If you prefer the audio version of this ebook, click here to access and download it for FREE.

The Headshot

According to Rise Above Research, in 2023 nearly 85% of the 1.6 trillion photos taken were captured using a mobile phone.

So, what does this have to do with professional headshots? As the availability of digital cameras / mobile phone cameras has increased, it seems that many professionals and organizations have moved to a DIY direction when capturing traditional headshots and
environmental portraits for their websites and other online mediums. While at first glance it might make sense to just snap off a few images and post them, but as mentioned earlier, “you only get one chance to make a good first impression.”

A cell phone photo taken by a friend might be “cute”, but chances are it doesn’t convey the right message about you and your organization. Don’t leave making a good first impression to chance. When crafting a professional headshot consider what message/image you are trying to convey by answering the following questions:

Where will your image be used?

Depending on where you plan to use your image, you may want to opt for a few different looks to convey a formal look and a more casual look. After all, a formal headshot with business attire works great for your website’s About page, LinkedIn profile and digital
business card, but may be too formal for a dating site or other social media sites. Real estate professionals have been placing their images on business cards for decades and rightly so, as experts have recently noted that placing your headshot on your business card allows the recipient to better recall you and the conversation had with greater ease. If you plan to use your image in print format, make sure to let your photographer know ahead of time so he/she can plan to provide the proper sized images to you.

How will what I wear convey this message?

This is pretty straight forward – If you wish to convey a message that you are a traditional businessperson froman industry one would expect a more formal look, then more often than not – jacket, collared shirt and tie for men, blouse and perhaps jacket for women. If your business is more on the creative side like an artist, then a less formal look may be more appropriate. Don’t leave this to chance, consult with your photographer and ask them for their dos and don’ts information on what to wear for your shoot. They will help you with color selections, patterns etc.

How will my pose, expression and lighting of the image convey this message?

In addition to what you wear, three keys to a good professional headshot are pose, expression and lighting. The marriage of all three in an image is what makes the image work. Forget one and the overall image suffers.

Posing includes posture, head tilt, head positioning, shoulder tilt and positioning, angle in relationship to the camera, arms positioning (crossed or not) to name a few items.

Expression relates to your smile, no smile, your eyes (smiling with your eyes) – do you want to convey a stern appearance or a warm and friendly one? It depends on your profession and the message you wish to convey.

How your headshot is lit (the lighting) creates the mood. Professional photographers know how to best capture the mood you are going for through strategic placement of their lights. This is something that is learned over a period time through practice and
experience. You are not likely to get the lighting you need through a cell phone image or even a friend’s digital camera.

How will the location/background help convey this message?

What you wear and what background you are photographed in front of can have a huge effect on the final outcome of your image. Combining inappropriate color palettes or distracting backgrounds can take away from the main subject of the image –YOU. Again, your photographer can help determine the background setting/color to present you in the best “light”.

Will my image help me stand out from the crowd?

Your career is not something you take lightly. A professional headshot will help you stand out from the crowd. Making a small

investment in your headshot shows clients, prospects, employers, recruiters and important contacts that you are serious about your
career. With all the unprofessional headshots out there, your high-quality and visually pleasing image will allow people to put a professional face to a name and you will be much more likely to stay top-of-mind to those who view your profile.

To summarize, while at first glance taking a headshot seems like a pretty simple exercise, you can now see that some planning and an investment in a professional photographer may be to your advantage. After all you only get one shot at making a good first impression!

P.S. Put down that cell phone :)

The Handshake

Your initial in-person first impression usually involves a handshake. When I was growing up, my dad was a politician and everywhere we went people would want to stop and talk to him and shake his hand. He taught me at an early age that a good handshake is important and there are some key elements to be particularly aware of when shaking someone’s hand. These tips include:

● A firm grip - nothing is worse than shaking hands with someone whose hands are as limp as a “dead fish.”
● Look the other person directly in the eyes. Show them you are focused on them.
● Use a friendly greeting - perhaps “It’s great to meet you,” or “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
● Repeat the person’s name to help you remember it - “George, it’s George, correct? It’s nice meeting you, George.”
● Provide your name in a clear, audible and slow manner so the person gets it right away.
● Smile naturally to show the person you are upbeat and positive.
● Listen attentively to what the other person is saying. Show that you are listening by repeating something that they have told you.

Your Attire

Before the handshake, people are sizing you up based on your attire. While we were told at an early age, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” it happens every day! So, what is the proper attire for your networking or business activities? There is no simple answer, however a good rule of thumb is to dress to your audience. At most events or meetings, you can get away with dressing somewhere between overly formal and overly casual. Steve Jobs could get away with blue jeans and a black turtleneck, however most of us probably can’t unless the activity is “billed” as a casual event.

Don’t let your clothes draw attention away from you. You are the main attraction and as such your clothes should complement you, not compete with you.

Use color to direct eyes toward your face. The brightest piece of clothing should be closest to your face. For example, a light-colored shirt or blouse and bright tie or scarf will draw attention toward your face.

Be sure your clothing is wrinkle-free and clean. Shine your shoes and men, make sure your socks are pulled up. If you wear eye glasses make sure they are clean. Dress for Success as the book says!

BONUS TIP: Check out 14 Dressing Rules That Everyone Should Learn at https://goo.gl/DsdM8T

Your Hygiene

Personal Hygiene or grooming is the next area to look at in our quest to create a great first impression. From your head to your toes, there are many things to consider. From the top:

Hair - make sure your hair is neatly cut and combed. Your hair should be out of your eyes and off your face. Men, please trim those nose and ear hairs and any facial hair.

Face - Women, make-up should look fairly natural and appropriate to the circumstance (avoid dramatic eyeshadow and thick eyeliner). Men and women use a moisturizer prior to heading out to your activity to soften your skin. Trim the eyebrows as well.

Mouth – brush your teeth and use a mouthwash prior to the activity. Women use your lipstick conservatively.

Do not chew gum and avoid cigarettes after cleansing your mouth.

Deodorant | Antiperspirant – be sure to apply deodorant or antiperspirant the day of the event/activity. If you have challenges with sweating and the event is at a warm (indoor or outdoor location), perhaps apply again just prior to the activity.

Hands | Fingernails – apply a moisturizer to your hands prior to entering the meeting/event. Also make sure your fingernails are neatly trimmed and clean.

Be Punctual

Punctuality is one thing I pride myself on and many of my friends actually make fun of me for it (nice friends, eh?), but this is another thing my dad taught me growing up . . . that being late is disrespectful to the other person and we don’t want to disrespect others, do
we?

What does be punctual mean to you and your business? And what doesn’t be punctual mean?

When you are punctual, you appear considerate, reliable, trustworthy, organized and professional. Being late all the time reflects poorly on you. I know some people who think it’s “cute” that they are always late and wear it as their badge of honor. Nothing could be
further from the truth. As I mentioned earlier it is disrespectful to those you are meeting with. . . period! You would think being consistently on-time would be the professional standard, but in my experience a large percentage of people I interface with fail to meet the standard.

Being punctual is not just something that relates to you personally it also applies to hitting or missing project deadlines. Missing deadlines can reflect poorly on you.

When someone is late, what is the first thing they offer? An apology or as I like to think, an excuse for being late. The old phrase “excuses are like a$%holes and everyone has one” is fitting here. While most excuses are garbage, there are a few that are legitimate. Let’s say you become ill or someone you care for becomes ill; or you have an actual accident (and not just stuck in traffic); or you’re using public transportation and it is delayed due to no fault of your own. These are acceptable excuses in my mind.

Whatever the case may be, if you are late for a meeting or know that you aren’t going to meet that project deadline, be sure to communicate to those involved. This shows some consideration at the very least.

So, what can you do to increase your chances of being on-time? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Plan to arrive early. I usually plan to be somewhere 15 minutes before I am supposed to be there (yes, my friends make fun of me).

2. Plan for delays. Depending on the time of day and where you are traveling to, you might have to take into consideration traffic could be bad or the parking situation at your location might be a nightmare. If you can scope it out before you leave, you will save yourself a ton of time.

3. On project deadlines, build in some wiggle room so if you hit some snags, you have extra time to get things done. Remember, under promise and over deliver.

4. Gather the items you need for your meeting ahead of time and have them ready to go before you are...being organized is key.

5. We all have smartphones with timers and alarms. Use them! Set an alarm giving yourself plenty of time to get to your meeting.

Being punctual is very important. Pick a couple of these tips and try them next time you have to be somewhere.

Be Yourself

We all have a unique story to tell. So, when you meet someone at a networking event or meeting and it is your turn to share who you are and what you do, be yourself and tell your story; not a story you think they want to hear. Whether you use your canned :30 Elevator Intro or something else, it is important to come across as genuine and passionate about what you do. Remember to be upbeat and
enthusiastic!

After all, enthusiasm is contagious. Be upbeat and passionate about both your business and what the person you are talking to does. Be positive and avoid negatives as they turn off people and reflect poorly upon you. Also, avoid talking negatively about others. . . don’t get caught up in gossip!

Storytelling Resources

• Crafting An Elevator Pitch
• Elevator Speech Examples and Tips
• Key Components of a Perfect Elevator Pitch
• The Story Selling Method - Master The Art of Storytelling to Build Trust, Stand Out, and Boost Sales (This is an affiliate link)

Be Present and Make Them Feel Special

Being present means focusing on the person you are engaged with and avoiding all other distractions such as looking away to find your next target or checking your phone. Speaking of your phone, put it away and switch it to vibrate or silent mode. Body language is also important. The best way to naturally maintain good body language is by listening. Smile, stand up tall, nod your head to show you are listening and maintain eye contact at all times.

Be A Connector/Giver and Find Mutual Benefits

Be open-minded and curious about the mutual benefits of helping each other out. Think outside the box to find ways to connect the person you are talking with to someone you may know or someone you know who knows someone (wow say that three times fast). This just happened to me recently. I told my networking group I was looking for some graphic designers to help beta test some new software. One of the members referred me to a friend who was glad to help. In turn, she sent me two other graphic designers who offered to help. You never know who can help you and who you can help.

Be a giver first. Don’t chase connections, let them come to you. Remember that the person you are talking to has their own network of contacts. These are the people you could potentially do business with, but first you need to establish trust with your new contact before they will open up their network to you. One of the best ways to establish trust is to offer them something and then FOLLOW THROUGH on that offer. It can be as simple as sending them a link to an article on a topic you discussed and promised to forward to them. Another way is to introduce the person to someone you know while at the current event/meeting.

What You Don’t Want to Do is Pitch Someone when your first meet them. Don’t be that person who shows up at a networking event and tries to sell their product or service to everyone and anyone who will listen. This is the fastest way to turn-off people and get a reputation that will have people avoiding you like the plague. You want people to be attracted to you and not running away. Networking events are the first step in getting someone to know, like and trust you so a long-term mutually beneficial relationship can develop.

To recap, if you believe in yourself and appear confident, enthusiastic and are present showing genuine interest in the other person, then you will make a great first impression. By being a connector or giver first and not “pitching your wares”, you will score even more
points towards making that great first impression. Again, be positive and upbeat. If you have negative “energy” or speak negatively about others it will reflect poorly upon you. By being yourself in a calm and confident manner and following these tips you are sure
to create a great first impression.

Provide Value

Are you overwhelmed with all the tactics and tools that are available via social and traditional media sources? Everyone seems to be a “guru” on this platform or that platform. They push their “secret recipe” for building relationships and making money by investing your
valuable time their platform of the day. This week it could be Instagram or Facebook or LinkedIN or SnapChat, just to name a few. What do all of these platforms have in common? Clutter for one thing. . . post after post of meaningless gobbly gook or the politics of the day that all serve as distractions and compete with the message you are trying to convey to your audience.

So how do you spend your precious time differentiating yourself from the masses and do it in such a way that you have a chance at building a long-term relationship with current and prospective clients? Simple . . . provide VALUE and show you care!

What constitutes value? Anything that your target audience will deem interesting, informative and insightful. It can take the form of tips and tricks; “how to” advice; “best practices”; tools to make their life or job easier; the list goes on and on. Some more common value delivery methods include eBooks, Videos, Podcasts, PDFs, Blogs, gifts (more on this later) and so on.

To be successful and stand out from your competition, you need to be committed to doing the hard work and providing value at all three stages of the sales process - before, during and after the sale.

Before the Sale - while prospecting, you should identify something of value that you can provide to your prospects that will get you noticed and solves a problem or creates an opportunity. For example, if you are engaging in direct prospecting (reaching out to
someone that knows little to nothing about you - COLD prospecting), and you own a photography business, perhaps you offer to do a small shoot for your prospect at no cost to them - zero strings attached. If you use lead generation tactics on your website and social
media, offer a lead magnet (eBook, PDF, Video - like I did with this guide) that provides value to your prospective client.

During the Sale – this is the stage that we most often associate adding value or using “Value-add” selling techniques. The Urban Dictionary defines “Value Add” as “a term used in service and retail industries, meaning to connect a service or additional product to a product at no immediate cost to the buyer.” This cost is often included (read: hidden) in the base price but is called out to make the customer feel as though they are getting more than they paid for.

For example, a local IT shop sells Dell computers and offers 24/7 service, telephone support and installation as value-add items. What products or services do you offer and what can you add to the sale that provides real value to your clients? Wendy Connick in her article “Learn How to Add Value to Your Sales” provides some thoughts on this topic. You can view her article at
https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-add-value-to-your-sales-2917448 .

After the Sale - your work doesn’t stop once the sale is made. You put a tremendous amount of time and effort into getting your clients, now is not the time to relax and slack off. We all know the numbers on the cost of acquiring a new client vs retaining an existing one. So it behooves us to find ways to keep clients happy. I am not talking about providing outstanding customer service, that should be a given. What I am talking about is what Gary Vaynerchuk calls “The Thank You Economy.”

Gary shared how his family’s wine company, Wine Library, once spent $350 on a gift for a first-time client that purchased a $117 case of wine that netted them $11profit on the case. His Thank You Department discovered through the client’s Twitter feed that this client loved the Chicago Bears and was a huge Jay Cutler fan. Knowing this they sent him a framed autographed Jay Cutler jersey. Several weeks went by and no word of thanks from the client, however one day they received an order for $6,000 worth of wine. You see here is where word of mouth comes into play. The person ordering the wine was a friend of the man who received the Jay Cutler jersey!

Now you don’t have to spend $350 on each client to show your appreciation but finding what they love or are passionate about (through data mining their public social media accounts) and providing them something that reflects their interests may go a long way towards retaining your client and growing their lifetime value with your company.

Most companies will not do what I just talked about because it takes tremendous effort, however if you are one of the companies that does incorporate a Thank You Department in your business you will surely separate yourself from the competition.

So, to recap, one primary key to creating a great first and lasting impression, growing your business and maintaining clients is what? Providing genuine VALUE and showing you care every chance you can by putting forth effort to out-work your competition!

Confidence

Confidence can be described as a belief in yourself and your ability to succeed. The trick is to present yourself so you come across somewhere between extremely confident or cocky and not confident at all.

What does confidence have to do with First Impressions? Well, according to Amy Cuddy, Harvard Business School social psychologist, who has extensively studied first impressions, her research shows that two traits alone account for 80 to 90 percent of first impressions. . . take a guess what those traits are. . . yep. . . trustworthiness and confidence!

Self-confidence is extremely important in both our personal and business lives, yet so many people struggle to find it. Unfortunately, people who lack self-confidence can find it difficult to become successful.

What can we do to appear more self-confident? (You will recognize some of these tips from earlier in this guide). In no particular order:

1. Maintain eye contact – look the person you are talking to in the eye. This does two things; one it shows you are listening and attentive; two it conveys confidence!

2. Have good posture – body language is important. . .lean in toward the person you are meeting to convey you are warm and caring. Also, stand upright and don’t slouch. Nod your head in agreement when the person speaks and don’t interrupt them . . . LISTEN first and foremost.

3. A firm grip – when shaking hands make a firm, but not to firm handshake. Don’t give them the “cold fish” handshake and don’t use two hands either.

4. Dress for Success – dress appropriately for the occasion.

5. Hygiene – be groomed nicely – shower, use deodorant and generally speaking look your best.

6. Smile – show those pearly whites! Everyone feels better when they smile, and it is contagious!

7. Be upbeat and positive – have a high energy level, don’t talk about others in a negative manner and genuinely be interested in what the person has to say.

8. Know your subject matter COLD – if you know your business and the ins and outs of your products or services, you will have nothing to be nervous about – thus you will come across as confident!

Remember, confident people inspire confidence in others: their audience, peers, bosses, clients, and friends. And gaining the confidence of others is one of the key ways in which a self-confident person finds success.

Thankfully, self-confidence can be learned and built on. Use the 8 suggestions I discussed and build that confident appearance you need to succeed, it’s well-worth the effort!

Be Prepared

As the Boy Scouts motto states, “be prepared”.

Whether you are attending a national conference or a local meetup networking luncheon, being prepared can go a long way toward not only making a great first impression, but also making your attendance at these events much more productive.

What do I mean when I say be prepared and why bother? Chances are your competition is not preparing for these meetings, so right of out the gate you are getting a leg up on your competition. Step one is to identify who will be attending the event. Most conferences provide attendees a roster of people who will be attending. Also, if you attend a meetup group function the attendees are listed right on the event’s meetup page. If neither of these options exist, why not reach out to the meeting organizer and see who will be in attendance.

Once you have identified a handful of people you would like to connect with, do some research on them. LinkedIn and Google are great resources for gathering background information. Don’t just look at their professional activities and position, also look forhobbies and interests that you may have in common andcan talk about.

Earlier, I referred to the importance of being on time and getting a lay of the land so to speak. If the event is fairly small, by arriving early you may have a chance to meet the organizer of the event. He/she is a great person to know and may connect you with some of the folks you have on your list!

Being prepared gives you great confidence and confidence leads to a great first impression.

Be Responsive

When I was doing some background research for this guide, I typed into Google “first impressions be responsive” and over 90% of the results talked about web site responsiveness. While that is important and does affect your businesses’ first impression, what I am
referring to here is your responsiveness as an individual.

The dictionary says responsiveness is “the quality of reacting quickly and positively.” In business, a lack of responsiveness can mean the difference between thriving and closing the doors. In today’s hyper-paced society of immediate satisfaction and unreal expectations on response to communication, it is critical that we are aware of what I call response expectation.

Response expectation is the predetermined response time your clients, prospects or new business connections have in-mind when you have promised to deliver something to them. This can often be dictated by forces outside of your control. For example, when you receive an email request for something, the person sending that request has been influenced (by our current environment) to expect an almost immediate response. It is as if you are sitting there waiting for their email, so you can drop everything you are doing and respond. Now throw in the immediacy of “texting” and you have all but no chance to meet expectations (if you don’t respond immediately). You and I know this is unrealistic, but there is some truth to it.

So, what can we do to help set realistic expectations in the area of response? Here are three quick tips for you:

1. Be proactive in letting people know the time frame in which you plan to respond to them. Your voicemail message could say something like “. . . I will get back to you within 24 hours . . . or by the end of the business day. . .”. Setting an autoresponder with your email program that sends an email back to the person emailing you and stating your email response time will help as well.

2. Remember the old “in box” rule of only handle something one time. If you can respond to something that requires little time or preparation....do it. This helps your image and keeps you productive. Some people will say that being too quick to respond will create expectations that you will always be that quick. Perhaps, but simply waiting to respond for the sake of waiting is frankly ridiculous.

3. When you promise someone, you will do something for them, do it. For example, you meet someone at a networking event and promise that you will send them a document or contact information (it doesn’t matter what it is) for a mutual colleague. Providing that information within the next 24 hours will build trust, show that you value their time and create a great first impression. Not getting back to the person in a timely manner or at all will kill their trust in you. Now if you agreed in your conversation that a different time frame is more realistic, great, just make sure you deliver prior to the “deadline” you agreed on.

BONUS TIP: Lately I have seen an increase in “email referrals or introductions.” When someone refers you or introduces you to someone else via email, be sure to reach out to the person he/she referred you to in a timely manner. Also, let the referring person know you have received their email and keep them abreast of your connection with person they referred. I have heard from several people that they have tried to connect two people by doing an email introduction, which includes a note to both parties and neither party acknowledged the referral. This reflects poorly upon you if you don’t thank the referring party.

Please, please, please proofread everything you send out in writing. Typos and poor grammar will reflect poorly you.

Remember deliver on your promises and manage your client or prospect’s response expectation and this will go a long way toward delivering a great and lasting first impression.

Be Different - Use A Digital Business Card

According to marketing expert, Mitch Joel, former President at Mirum Agency, a global advertising/marketing agency (www.mirumagency.com) "the most coveted piece of real estate in business today is the home screen of a smartphone."

The challenge for freelancers, businesses and organizations is getting your company and contact information on the home screen where clients and prospects can view it, share it and always have ready access to your information.

What if there was a way to take the standard information presented on a business card, enhance it and make it available in an electronic format? Actually, there is a way using a digital business card. Now digital cards have been around for a while; however, all digital cards are not created equal. There are what I call “cookie cutter” template-based cards that have the user upload their headshot and logo; select a background color or photo and the card is then created for them automatically. There is also another version that allows graphic designers to create custom-designed cards using the branding elements of their client’s companies and present a great first impression. Currently these are only offered by my company. . . they are branded as Visness Cards. They offer all the features of a traditional business card combined with the technology advantages provided by a smartphone. Because the card resides on the home screen, cardholders can easily share their card with others via text, QR code, email and social media.

How many times have you met someone at a function and asked him or her for their business card only to hear "I left them at the office" or "I left them in my car" or "I am out of cards?" Perhaps it wasn't someone else, but you who was in this situation. With the digital card this will never happen again.

Picture this, you are at a function and someone asks you "What do you do?” This eventually leads to a conversation about what each of you do and then the question "can I get your business card?" With a digital card you simply reach for your phone, tap your icon, bring up your card and hit the "Share" icon. Next, text your card to the person and instantly they receive a text with a link to your card. If the person has an iPhone or a QR reader all they do is scan your code and BAM your card begins to load on their phone. Either way your
information is now on their phone's home screen ready to be viewed when needed and shared when a potential referral opportunity presents itself.

It would appear that digital cards would be a valuable tool for real estate professionals, design professionals, non-profit executives, mortgage brokers, catering companies, financial professionals, sales professionals, service and repair technicians, politicians, hair care
professionals and whoever else needs to have their contact information and business profile in the hands of clients and prospects.

Think of a digital business card as a micro-site, a mini-website that sites a smartphone and is easy to share with others. Because it’s a micro-site, there is temptation to put all sorts of information and tools on the “site”, but that would be a mistake. Simple and clean are the two key elements you must look for when seeking a card.

Want to create a great first impression and wow your clients/prospects? Get yourself a custom-designed digital business card. When digital business cards are done right, they are a valuable part of your marketing toolbox.

For more information on digital cards visit https://visnesscard.com.

Final Thoughts

Through books, videos, and conferences we gain new information or are reminded of things we have learned in the past and have just plain forgotten. My challenge to you is to select just three items from the 13 areas that were feature in this guide and put them into practice today! You will be worlds ahead of your colleagues and competition if you do so. Most people don’t implement a fraction of what they learn through these educational resources. That’s it for the time being, now go forth and put to good use what you have learned.

Barry C. Donovan is a First Impression Warrior whose company's products and services help business professionals create great first and lasting impressions (think headshots, digital business cards and ebrochures) as well as assists victim advocates at law enforcement agencies, DA's offices and service organizations with providing required Victim Rights information to victims of crime via a browser-based app. 

He has been in the marketing profession since 1985 serving clients in a wide range of industries as well as the non-profit sector. He has served on the Dominican Foundation Board of Directors since 1992 and is a former board member and current Advisor for Go Play of Colorado. 

Barry is the author of the the book "Make More Money With Your Graphic Design Business - Offer Custom-Designed Digital Business Cards" and the guides, “Best Practices In Business Networking” and “Ultimate Guide to Creating A Great First Impression.” He also hosts three business networking groups in the Denver area. He has a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Central Florida.

More on his company's products can be found at the web site:  Visible Digital Solutions LLC.  You can reach Barry via email at barry @ visibledigitalsolutions.com