Can your brand be trusted?

Trust is everything in business. But, you already know that, don’t you? Competition is so fierce out there these days that there really is no more room for error anymore. Getting people to like you and your company means that they will trust you. No longer do people, especially the Gen Xers and Millennials, want a simple exchange of money for goods and services, a simple business transaction.  That is no longer enough for them. They want to be seen and valued as people and customers. This means businesses and companies have had to constantly adapt and those that thrive in this environment are those that establish, and keep, trust.

• Everyone knows that the retention of a customer takes less resources than going out and finding a new one. The brands out there that are gaining and keeping trust are those companies that keep abreast of their customers. That means being on top of your social media and email campaigns. That means offering discounts or special prizes for those who have demonstrated their loyalty. Stay loyal to your story and what your company is and what it stands for. Just remember that’s pretty much why your customers came to you in the first place.
• It’s all about getting personal and about the extended social networks of your customers. If your customers like you and trust you, they must be encouraged to spread the word to their social networks. The most effective way to reach out and gather in lifelong loyal customers is to keep sharing your story and letting people in. Keep telling the story of your brand through your content and create images and videos that take people into the heart of you company. Let everyone meet those who are important to the success of your company. Take them behind the scenes so they can see the operations and the people that support their efforts. The more you let them in, the more they will get to know you and your company. The more they get to know you, the more they will like you. The more they like you, the more they will trust you. And, isn’t that what you really want and need for your company to thrive?

-Written by Kevin Sawyer