Personal branding is more than your logo and attitude, it’s what you wear. Let’s take a look at what your clothes say to your prospective clients about you?

A well groomed business consultant portrays a level of trust and reassurance that the client is in good hands. The biggest mistake business professionals make is failing to realise that the way you look reflects directly on how people treat you and whether or not they will buy from you. If you’re making any of the following cardinal sins you may be leaving prospects wondering if they should be dealing with one of your competitors.

Here are the most common mistakes business consultants and professionals make when dressing for their prospective clients.

1. Faded Clothes – This screams out of touch. Regularly update your wardrobe so you have a fresh look that states “yes” you are current with current market trends.

2. Dated Clothes – Hmmmm, Still out of touch! At least try and dress like you know what year it is! If you’re a life coach, in marketing or are a business consultant, your clients will expect that you are up to date with any changes in the market place. Dress to reflect this. Guy’s, update your ties regularly and keep them interesting, girls, a change of jewellery and even scarfs can give new life to an old outfit.

3. Dirty shoes – Don’t even get me started on this one, most women won’t date men with dirty shoes, so why do you think they would even buy your services? Take a look in a full length mirror before you leave your home in the morning. Here you’re looking for creased clothes, untidy shoes, undone fly and even hair coming out of the nose for guys (or maybe women!). Make this a daily ritual, it’s not about being vein, it’s about being professional and presentable.

4. Untidy hair – This presents carelessness and an inability to take care of the little things. If you’re trying to sell a large project to a corporate client, forget it! It’s already over. If you can’t keep your hair tidy then why would they think that you’re able to handle the big stuff?

5. Hairy Ears/Chin – Need I say anything on this one? Just because you can’t see it guy’s doesn’t mean it’s not there! Women, watch out for hair on your upper lip and around the chin area. We can each become complacent and forget to look, as we get older the likelihood increases of this occurring. This is not only unsightly, no one well tell you if it’s there either! Oh, and ladies, dyeing your top lip hair blonde doesn’t always work especially if it’s long. Look into depilatory methods instead.

6. Ill Fitting Clothes – Ensure all of your clothes suit your body shape, loose ill-fitting clothes portray unprofessionalism and a lack of care. If you have recently lost a lot of weight or even put it on, make sure you make the necessary adjustments to your wardrobe to ensure you still look smart and tidy.

Any business consultant or professional looking to move through their career successfully will do so much easier by grooming themselves for the role they want to be in. If you want to attract media for your business, are you groomed in such a way that they’d want to plaster your picture in the paper? If not, start taking note of your wardrobe now.

Ben Angel is a personal branding specialist and image consultant. If you are looking at developing a particular look to attract new clients and media exposure, Ben is available for one on one consultations. Contact Ben today on 03 9645 4114 or email him at ben@nationwidenetworking.com

Ben Angel was featured in the Herald Sun June 26th 2008 with his article entitled "Look sharp, clothes maketh the brand."