Building Trust

This post was most recently updated on July 28th, 2016

Building trust underlies everything you do online.

You could be a blogger, a biz-op team leader or an affiliate marketer.

In every instance, if you are not actively building trust among your followers, then you are bypassing the opportunity to build your business.

So what is the best way to build trust?

In a recent article, I wrote about a concept I called “awesome authority.”

Many people showed  interest in learning more about the actual process of developing awesome authority in their business, as I point out in this little 1 minute video.

The Process of Building Trust

Here’s a quick glimpse of how to use “awesome authority” for building trust.

Let’s say your business revolves around offering products and services for writers of fiction.

So, you develop a 6-week course called “How To Be A Published Author.”

The Authority Approach

Here’s a promotional method that you might use to assert your authority, so that budding writers will be interested in enrolling in your course.

You create a sales page that looks something like this…

Join me in this course so you can learn how to become a published author.

I’ll show you how to

…develop plots on multiple, parallel levels
…employ open loops that will compel your readers to read further
…create characters that connects to your readers’ deepest emotions

I have written 13 published books, over 40 articles and 6 television scripts.

So I know this business inside-out and I’ll teach you all the secrets in this course.

Okay.

That’s a standard “I’m an authority and so you should learn from me” kind of promotion.

It’s a very common way to use your authority to persuade people to do business with you.

Awesome Authority

Now using this same example, here’s an alternate method to start building trust with your prospects using an “awesome authority” approach.

Hi, I know you’re here to find out how to get published as a writer of fiction.  You may think it requires months, even years of training and preparation.

Well, how’d you like to short cut the process and publish your first work right now.

This may not be what you want to write, but a real author has to learn to write first… write the perfect story, article or novel later.

So, complete this opening right now:

He staggered over to his bedroom curtain, and parted it ever so slightly.  The sun streamed in, assaulting his sleep-worn eyes with the reality he had to face.  He knew this day would come, and finally, it had.

I want you to write less than 500 words.  It’s Chapter 1 of your first publication.

Submit it here, and I will publish it on my “new authors… works in progress” blog site.

See yourself in print for the first time and let’s see how it looks.

I don’t want you to think too deeply into this process.  Consider it more of a stream of conscious effort, not a well thought out storyline.  I want you to feel the process more than think through it.

As soon as you’ve made your submission, I’ll send you the details of the 6-week course I’m putting together to help you build on this process to become a real author, polished and published.

Now this may not be an example that you can resonate with, but I think you can see the difference in methods.

In the first  “authority” case, I’m establishing myself as an authority figure.  I’m hoping that you will want to learn writing from me because I’ve stated what you’ll learn, and why I’m the person to teach it.

In the second “awesome authority” case, I’m showing you how I can help you become a published author by… helping your become a published author.  Instantly.  You don’t have to take a leap of faith.  You just saw, with your own eyes, how I can help you achieve your goal. 

Now, that’s all about building trust.

And we’ve already struck up a relationship, so you don’t need me to start rambling about how great I am… which will usually lead you to wonder if you could ever reach that level of authority.  I’ve set the bar too high, and you may feel intimidated and defeated before even giving it a try.  

This is just one little example of how the process of awesome authority works toward building trust.

If you’re interested in applying this approach to your online business, check out my upcoming “Awesome Authority Webinar.”

What approach do you use to build a sincere relationship with your prospects, clients and customers? 

How do position yourself as an authority in your niche? 

What steps do you take, as a matter of course, toward building trust with your readers and followers?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

• Bio
• Blogging Magic

Donna Merrill

Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.