There are times in life when even though you’re the absolute best, you still don’t succeed. When it comes to landing a big social media marketing contract, or any contract for that matter, it’s not only about what you know, but how you present yourself.

Looking presentable tells a lot about a person, and ultimately shows clients a level of respect. If you’re a man, the first thing that probably comes to mind is having a nice suit, dress shirt and tie, however shoes tell much more about a person.

When you go into a meeting and look at someone’s shoes you can paint a picture of who they are. What style of dress shoes do they wear? Are they shined? Do they match their belt? All of these little nuances may seem irrelevant, but trust me they’re not.

For example, if a businessman matches his belt with his shoes, it shows attention to detail, which will likely carry over to his work. Or, if he has very gaudy shoes that stand out, there’s a chance he’s most concerned with what’s on the surface and may be putting up a facade. These are just two basic examples of why shoes are important for landing big contracts.

Keep in mind that cost isn’t everything, and it’s more about the choices you as a person make. However, I do suggest having at least two pairs of good dress shoes: one brown and one black. The way I look at it: I would rather have two pairs of high-end dress shoes than 10 pairs of run-of-the-mill shoes.

The next time you’re preparing for a meeting, get your pitch together then get yourself together. It will pay off in the long run.

Aaron Schoenberger
The Brainchild Group