Customers are less enthusiastic and more doubtful when it comes to trying out new businesses. It’s not that they distance themselves from you out of spite, but rather out of lack of information regarding your brand. They don’t know who you are and thus are left reluctant to even grab a brochure from you, much less try out your products and services. As a business owner, it’s your duty to give them a reason to trust you.
Be Honest
The phrase “fake it ‘til you make it” doesn’t really apply when it comes to running a business. Honesty is crucial, and trying to impress your customer base with false or misleading information can actually have the opposite effect in the long run. No matter how well you rehearse lies, the truth will eventually find its way to the surface, and when it does, you lose the trust of your customers permanently.
Show Interest
Be interested in your audience, the way you’d want them to be interested in you. Show interest in what they find interesting and what products/services they need. Show your interest by actually listening to them and making yourself available to their feedback, be it positive or negative.
Avoid Scripts
Reserve the scripts for public speeches and such. When talking with your customers, talk from the heart. Speak what you really want to say and not something you’d read from a script handed to you by your secretary. Again, it comes down to being honest and being human when you’re facing customers.
Continue to Learn Your Business
A business owner who is well-versed in his/her industry is easier to trust, especially once you’ve proven your credentials. Never assume that you know everything about your business. Instead, try and fill your downtime with courses including an online masters in data analytics. These courses are relevant and empower you with a new skill set you can access when needed.
Offer Free Samples
Complimentary product samples and service trials help attract new customers to your brand. New customers are more likely to try out your brand if there is no risk involved. When providing free samples and trials, do not collect personal information that would otherwise lead customers to think of your “free trial” as a scam.
Getting your target market‘s trust is an important precursor to a consistently growing business. Without brand trust and loyalty, you’ll find your sales and profit numbers to fluctuate wildly since people come and go.
About Kara Masterson:
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max
