Dressing For Success

Although you’re selling business owners on FlashBanc products and services, you’re ultimately selling them on yourself! From the first moment a potential client sees you, it’s imperative that you convey trustworthiness, respect, and stability. Believe it or not, your style of dress has a major effect on the message you send to others, so it’s important to make the most out of your fashion choices. Keep reading for some helpful tips on dressing for success!

People Like Us 

There’s a large body of research suggesting that we like people who are similar to us. While there are several theories as to why this is the case, one compelling idea is that when a person sees someone with characteristics similar to their own, they feel validated and more confident about their own beliefs. Because of this, it’s a great idea to research the prospect you’ll be meeting with and try to match their style. In some cases, such as when you do a random walk-in sales pitch, you obviously won’t be able to prepare your outfit based on the potential customer. However, for pre-planned meetings, you should conduct some research on the person you’ll be meeting with, the company culture, and the general feel of their office. You can check out their website or social media accounts to get a good idea of how their employees dress. 

Different Strokes For Different Folks 

There are some offices where everyone wears a suit and tie everyday, and in this instance, you should plan on dressing in business formal attire. Choose a tailored suit or mid-length, structured dress. Limit yourself to one or two accessories, such as a watch or necklace, and make sure your color choices aren’t too gaudy. Blacks, greys, browns, creams, and tans are always a good choice. When in doubt, go for a neutral color because these won’t distract from your pitch. For offices with a more casual feel, you can opt for khakis, polo shirts, and casual dresses. Even in casual settings, it’s important to make sure you’re clean, tidy, and well put together.

There’s one situation where mirroring your outfit to the business isn’t the best idea. In some offices, the dress code is leggings, baggy shirts, and sneakers, but you shouldn’t follow suit. Even if the entire office is in literal pajamas, it’s important to show respect to your prospect by presenting yourself professionally. This doesn’t mean you have to wear a three-piece suit to your meeting, but you should wear something slightly more polished than the outfits you see around you. Dressing up a little bit will show your prospect that you respect them and their time. 

Be Yourself 

While there are some generally accepted guidelines for professional dress, it’s not necessary to change yourself to try and fit in. Just remember that the most important part of dressing for success is remaining true to yourself. In order to land a sale, you need to feel confident in your own skin, so don’t pretend to be anyone you’re not. As long as you look presentable, feel free to embrace your unique style.