First impressions are really important. When you meet someone for the first time, the way you look and act is seared into their brain, and it will undoubtedly influence any future dealings you have with that person.

First impressions matter, so remember to smile and use welcoming body language. The first thing someone sees is your face, so this is where a good first impression begins. A smile can make a big difference in whether or not you win someone over. People can spot a fake smile, so let the grin grow slowly, as this will make it appear more personal and genuine. Another tip is to avoid giving everyone in a group the same smile, as this can put people off. Try to vary your grin as you deal with different people. It’s important to recognise that just because someone’s a stranger, it doesn’t mean you have to act like he/she is one. Instead, when greeting someone for the first time, do so as if you are greeting an old friend. Along with a warm smile, turn your body fully toward them so they can see you’re giving her your undivided attention. Keep your hand gestures under control. It may sound odd, but studies show that if you touch your face when you talk, it makes you seem less credible – so keep calm, and keep your hands away from your face.

A smooth introduction is all that’s needed to get a good conversation going. The easiest way to make that introduction happen is to request it from a mutual friend or the person hosting the event you’re at. Alternatively, you can ask the host a few questions about the stranger so that you have a way to start the conversation yourself. No one wants to be stuck in a conversation where someone is droning on about some boring and seemingly endless story. So to ensure you’re not inflicting this upon other people, pay close attention to how they are speaking and responding. Try to match their mood and tone of voice, and the chances are, everyone will be attentive and engaged. When you spot your chance to enter a conversation, the best thing to do is be confident in what you say and engage with a positive attitude. Another winning tip is to focus on being a good listener, and knowing how to keep your partner talking. Build rapport through imitating, empathising and acting like a close friend. People tend to like those with whom they have traits in common. This is something you can use to your advantage by highlighting the commonalities you have with the person you’re trying to flatter. When we talk, we tend to subconsciously reply with monosyllabic mumblings such as “huh,” “ya” etc,” just to acknowledge that we’re listening. But if you want to make a good impression, use full sentences that show your partner that you’re truly listening, like, “That was the right thing to do,” or, “I see why you did that.” This will help your partner see that you really understand them. Another top-notch rapport booster that will take you from being mere acquaintances to close friends in no time, is adopting two powerful words: “we” and “us.” For the most part, people tend to use these words only when speaking of their closest friends and partners. By using these words around someone you want to bring into your inner circle, you’ll speed up the friendship-forming process. So rather than saying, “What do you think about this Russia Ukraine war?” try saying, “How do you think we’ll do with the Russia Ukraine war?“ Finally, learn to cultivate jokes. They are a cornerstone of any close relationship. If you want to quickly form a bond, remember when funny remarks and shared laughs occur, and you cleverly bring them up again later on, you’ll have a memorable, shared history between the two of you!

Many people attend parties just to have a good time. While there’s nothing wrong with that, you can also go in a bit more ambitiously. Here are some tips for how you can meet and impress all the movers and shakers in attendance.

Once again, that first impression is all-important.

The technique for a dramatic entrance is simple: Before entering, pause at the doorway and give the room a scan. Once you’ve surveyed the premises and deemed them satisfactory, you can smile and step inside. This kind of dramatic entrance is sure to impress those in attendance.

Once inside, you should take the initiative and immediately gravitate toward the most interesting person in the room. If you stand around waiting for someone to come to you, you could end up alone for long, with few opportunities to meet those movers and shakers.

When you do have someone’s undivided attention, it’s time to put all that you’ve read above to work – but here’s a bonus tip.

Be mindful of your hands; avoid gestures that might subconsciously register as threatening, like showing the back of your hand. Instead, adopt an open and inviting posture, with your palms facing outward.

Remember to listen, and take mental notes of what the other person is saying, as it will likely prove useful later. This includes personal details they may reveal and anything else that seems important to them. By bringing one of these details up in your next meeting, you’re certain to make a great impression.

One helpful trick is to jot down interesting facts on the back of a person’s business card as soon as you finish talking to them. Then, the next time you meet, you can impress them by mentioning one or two personal details.