The Power of a Smile

I'm meeting a new client in my office on Monday. We've never met, but connected over LinkedIn and spoke on the phone for the first time last week.

It's amazing the connection you can feel with a person without actually meeting them. Especially over the phone - to hear a person's voice tells you a lot about them - little details you wouldn't necessarily pick up in a short email.

This conversation was like that. We seemed to connect, and I felt energized after speaking with him.

I've been thinking about what exactly it was that made this new client so appealing over the phone, and I've narrowed it down to one thing - his smile.

Communication Etiquette: Top Ten Telephone Tips

I can't stress it enough - the image you present over the phone is just as important as the image you present when you stand in front of someone. Here are my top ten telephoning tips for clear and considerate communication.

T alk slowly (see my earlier post: Slow Down!)
E nunciate (speak clearly, articulate)
L isten actively to the caller
E mpathize with the caller
P ick up the phone quickly (2-3 rings is appropriate)
H ave a good attitude
O ffer your services or help
N ote down important information
E nd on a positive note
S mile!