Stop Hiding Out on the Internet and Show yourself
Earlier today I finished a post on my business blog entitled “Stop hiding out on the internet and show yourself” in which I advise people to stop hiding behind their computers and screen names and let the people they are talking to in blogs and forums who they are in order to build trust and credibility. Unfortunately, I think that there is more to the story than just the business side.
Many people look to blogs and message boards for advice: financial, spiritual, business, love, whatever the subject may be. The problem is, that while the idea of being anonymous and hiding behind a screen name may be good for the seeker, it is not the way the advisor should approach this, specifically if they are holding themselves out as an “expert” on the subject matter. There are a few things that should always send up red flags:
* calling themselves an expert but hiding behind a screen name
* any business using a free e-mail address (AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc)
* anyone selling “answers” as part of a purchase (ie: membership)
7 Insider Secrets You Must Know About Building Visitor Trust
If there is one glaring – all encompassing – smack you in the face- you better get this right - thing that is more important now than ever before it is this: Trust. If trust is the new money, then your reputation is the bank account. In the new world, your customers have the same information overload you do, but they also have limitless options from countless competitors, honest (sometimes) yet conflicting sources, and access to other customers opinions. Their choice is tough. If you have their trust, you have their business. Period.
There are several things you can do to build and maintain the trust of your customers. The most obvious is to build a good product and deliver on your promises. Assuming you already have that covered (and you better) we have found some hidden gems that are a little less obvious, but no less powerful.