Building Trust with Social Media and Social Networking Sites

Social Media and Social Networking websites are the big thing on the internet at the moment. Websites like Twitter and Facebook are becoming more and more popular especially with business owners who see them as another marketing tool in their arsenal.

While these social networking sites can be effective when it comes to marketing you'll only succeed if you approach them in the right way. This is a relatively new medium and marketing methods that work in other more traditional mediums aren't as effective here if you don’t adapt them first.

Be Sociable

Since we’re talking about ‘social’ media remember - it's the social aspect rather than the business aspect is what these sites are all about.

Most people use these websites for socialising rather than business so if you want to use them for marketing you need to do so in a more subtle manner rather than for conventional advertising media. If you just rush straight in there and start pitching your wares to people you won’t get very far – other users need to get to know you and get to trust you first.

3 Things to Do to Build Trust

Below are three ways you can build trust on social networking and media sites.

• Provide useful content. Offering content that is helpful to other users is one of the best ways to begin to build trust. If you continue to do this over time you will develop a relationship with people who will begin to regard you as an authority in your field. Once you have developed such a relationship, as well as this level of trust and authority, you will find people much more receptive to your recommendations or marketing messages.

• Be a real person. Social networking and media websites are all about people and making personal connections. You’ll build more trust and do it faster and easier if you use your name and a real photo of yourself in your profile than if you use a company name and a logo. Let others get to know you as the human being you are and don’t make everything you post business oriented. You may be uncomfortable with getting personal at first but if you want to use social websites that’s what it’s all about and remember that trust is a two way street and, like smiles, a good way to get some is to first give some.

• Interact. Get involved in conversations with people. Respond to messages and offer people helpful advice when you get an opportunity and, where possible, try to use any occasional criticism as a chance for you to show your integrity, repair trust and build even more.

It’s important to remember that building trust takes some time. It won’t happen overnight but if you stick at it and are mindful of the points mentioned above then you will gradually build trust as well as a following. And, when you have it, don’t abuse it. The relationships and trust you build on social media sites can be a very valuable asset to your business and should be carefully nurtured.

What do do next:

Get started with social media and networking sites now as it takes some time to flesh out your profile and form relationships. Implement the above ideas as you go and if you’d like to find out about more advanced ways to use social websites in your marketing then contact us today.