The Critical First Impression

Getting your account opened is easy and fast enough. However, now it’s time to step back and consider who you want to present yourself or your company as. You must consider how you can showcase yourself in the best light to reflect your professional qualities. The idea is not to be someone you aren’t, but to clearly reveal the best that you are.

When we’re face to face with people, most of the messages we send are through nonverbal communication. Our words eventually lodge themselves in the minds of those around us, but not until these same people have already received and processed boatloads of impressions and formed opinions. There’s no right and wrong about this, it’s simply the way the human mind is wired.

The online world is much the same. What we actually type out matters, but so does how we present ourselves and the care we take in each detail. First impressions become so firmly ensconced in the mind that it can take an enormous effort to change them. In other words, first impressions stick.

TOP TIPS

Your information is safe online within the Elance system. Potential clients cannot see any information you don’t want them to, like financial or personal details. Because of this, you can place extensive prior work experience data in your profile.

The key in the online world is to take this need for a positive first impression and turn it into an advantage. In this new way of doing business, you can study how you will present yourself as a client and freelancer. With Elance, you can slow the process and design your own first impression. Your unique personality will come across in your Elance presence.