Whether it’s in a professional setting, or you’re just looking to get a new friend on your side, making a good first impression is not always as easy as it looks. We've got five of the best tips for helping you come across as awesome as you are!

1. Body language

Psychologists say that communication between humans is 20% verbal and 80% non-verbal. This means that people are making impressions of you long before you even speak! But, there are ways to sell yourself through your body language to gain a few points early. Open body language is a tell-tale sign of a friendly and approachable person. Try not to hunch over, put your head down, or close yourself off. Keep eye contact with the person to show that you’re engaged with them. People like to see that the person they’re speaking to is interested, so make sure they know.

2. Be positive

Everybody loves someone that they can rely on when the chips are down. These tend to be the ones who think in a positive light. In the workplace and your personal life, problems can arise, but it’s how you choose to view them that’s the key.

3. Use your hands

This means the perfect handshake! It also means keeping your hands out of your pockets and using animated gestures. When someone can see your hands, they feel at ease so it's a great place to start!

Gif source

4. Smile!

So simple and so important, smiling might be the best way to make a good impression. Yeah, it’s cliché, but a big old smile is infectious. Everyone is happier around a happy person. Wearing your grin with pride shows you’re an enthusiastic person that knows how to enjoy themselves.

5. Pretend you've met them before

This is a surefire winner. First impressions give off the same feelings as survival situations as you'll internally know how important it is. Greet this new person as if you've known them forever and you'll both feel instantly more comfortable.

Finally, always make eye contact - this is probably the most important out of everything. Good luck!

Gif source