5 Ways to Instantly Make a Better First Impression

Connection Advice

Jun 26

Let’s be honest: meeting someone for the first time can feel awkward, uncomfortable, or even borderline cringe. But first impressions are a critical piece of building new friendships and connections—which means they’re worth learning how to navigate with confidence.

Here are five ways you can instantly make a better first impression, no matter how anxious or unsure you may feel.

1. Start with a Compliment

One of the fastest ways to break the ice is to genuinely compliment someone. Whether it’s their sneakers, their laugh, or their energy—notice something and say it out loud. Everyone wants to feel seen, and a well-placed compliment does just that. It also puts you in a mindset of positivity and curiosity right from the beginning.

2. Break the Script

Most first interactions sound exactly the same.
“What do you do?” “Where are you from?” “How’s your day?”
And while there’s nothing wrong with those, they don’t leave much of an impression.
Instead, try asking something unexpected:

“What’s been the best part of your week?”
“What would you rate this day, 1–10?”
These off-script questions signal that you're curious, thoughtful, and genuinely interested—not just going through the motions.

3. Use the “Triple Threat”

According to Vanessa Van Edwards from Science of People, there are three nonverbal cues that build instant trust:
Eye contact. Hands. Posture.

Look people in the eye (about 60% of the time—no staring contests).
Show your hands. Exposed palms signal openness and trust.
Stand tall. Pull your shoulders away from your ears to appear confident—even if you don’t feel it (yet).

These three cues work together to say: “You can trust me.”

4. Be a Positive Person

You don’t need to fake joy, but you do need to avoid negativity. Being upbeat, enthusiastic, and responsive makes people want to be around you. Compliment their story. Laugh at their joke. Smile when you talk.

And if positivity doesn’t come naturally to you? That’s okay. It’s something you can work on.
Because if you’re looking for friends who bring light and joy…chances are, so is everyone else.

5. Smile and Laugh Generously

It’s simple, but it matters. Smiling is contagious and disarming. Laughing at someone’s story (even a little!) helps them feel heard, affirmed, and appreciated.
You don’t need to fake it—but don’t suppress it either. A warm, responsive tone makes people feel good about themselves and, by extension, about you.

You don’t need to do all five. Just start with one.

Pick one strategy from this list and commit to trying it the next time you meet someone new. Little shifts like these make a big difference over time—because people may not remember your name, but they will remember how you made them feel.

👇 Want Help Starting These Kinds of Conversations?

If you're ready to go deeper in your friendships but don’t know how to start, I've got you. Grab my free guide below:
15 of the Best Questions to Ask Someone to Build Real Connection

If this blog resonated, you'll love the full video I recorded on this topic.