Written by: Nikole Haumont, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Are your consumers aware of who you are and what you offer? Do they like you and talk about your products or services? Do they trust you enough to refer or buy from your business? If your marketing efforts can accomplish that for you, then you’re on the ideal path to more targeted leads and clients.
Keep in mind that people buy from those they know, like, and trust. Therefore, if your answer to the above questions is no, then you have some work to do.
The know, like, and trust principle represents the journey your potential clients make when they’re getting to know who you are, the things you have to offer, and what your brand signifies. You need all three to become successful in business.
Is the Know, Like, and Trust Factor Important in Business?
Absolutely. When your customers feel like they actually know you, they can trust, like, and are more likely to support your business. However, how do you get them to feel that way? The answer lies in connection.
Helping your customers feel connected to you and your business will help you increase your know, like, and trust factor.
We live in a period where being a faceless business is not enough anymore. More and more consumers like to know more about a business and who is behind it before buying something from them.
Also, it is unlikely someone will buy from you after simply seeing a few posts or visiting your physical store. In reality, they may follow you for a long time before they are encouraged to buy something.
The key here is to establish a deeper connection with your audience. Do that by sharing more about your business and engaging with those interacting with your posts.
Read further for nine easy ways to grow and nurture a real connection with your audience.
9 Ways to Increase Your Know, Like, and Trust Factor in Business
1. Attend local business networking events
The initial step to increasing your KLT factor is knowing where to go to make connections. Nearly any event or activity can serve as a networking opportunity, but business owners and professionals with local businesses can benefit from attending local business events.
For instance, your town’s chamber of commerce might host events for people within your industry. It’s worth hitting up meetings for professional associations related to your field.
2. Show up more consistently
That will look different for everybody but choose a schedule and stick to that. Always be consistent in your business and how you show up for your target audience. Do you have a weekly newsletter? Do your best to stick to an email each week.
Do you perform a bi-weekly live stream? Ensure you consistently do it. Consistency has been associated with reliability.
If your customers perceive you and your business as reliable and consistent, they’ll likely trust you.
3. Get social in your off-hours
Only because you are off the clock does not suggest it is time to stop networking. If you like to expand your know, like, and trust factor, try to chat with attendees at your pilates class or health club.
You can even make business connections at your kid’s sports events and school activities. After all, parents often seek something to chat about apart from what is happening on the soccer field.
4. Participate in community events
Studies show that most people want to support independent, local businesses. Increase your profile in the community by participating in organizations and charity events. Organize a holiday “toys for kids” drive, sponsor a local fun run, or supply a Little League team in your town with equipment. This will also help to build your social capital.
All that helps increase your reach, helping you attract new customers.
5. Start a group
If you love to read books, run, drink coffee, eat pancakes, or talk philosophy, you can start a group devoted to your passion. If you often do business from home, having a regular group event will break the monotony you are experiencing.
6. Talk about your company values at events
Are you attending a networking event? Why don’t you talk about something that aligns with your company values? That will attract audiences who relate to your company values and are likelier to buy from your business.
7. Share BTS snippets
Why don’t you share behind-the-scenes snippets of you and your crew at work? Anything from product making, packaging videos, or simply a day in life could help your target audience feel more familiar and comfortable with your process and work in general.
Showing how much time and work goes into making what you do helps showcase and validate the price of your services and products.
8. Speak at university or college lectures
If you’re fortunate enough to live in a university or college town, keep an eye on their events schedule, particularly in areas linked to your niche.
Colleges often bring in industry leaders or experts in the field, and such events are often affordable or even free.
9. Share your knowledge
Have you been in business for a while? You’ve probably gained a lot of knowledge that can be useful to others. Building yourself as an industry expert is appealing to potential customers too. People love doing business with people who know what they’re doing.
Consider doing talks at local venues or industry conferences. You can also create a mentoring program that connects upcoming experts with people in your business. Also sharing your knowledge on Facebook can help create the KLT Factor too.
Networking is certainly an excellent way to increase your Know, Trust, and Like factors. But it’s also essential to keep that going on social media.
However, it can be overwhelming and confusing if you are a busy business owner. That’s why we have something for you. Building trust, sharing value, and attracting people who like to work with you is simple if you know strategies that work.
If you want to know more tips, Advantage Alliance can help you. We are a referral networking group for business owners and professionals like you. You’re invited to join us to meet owners and professionals (like you!) who are helping one another to grow their respective businesses.
Apply for membership today!
Nikole Haumont, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nikole Haumont founded Shield Bar Marketing in 2013 after selling her equine magazine and working for GoDaddy. Nikole and her team of highly skilled contractors, combine their expertise to provide the best possible resources for the micro businesses and solopreneurs they choose to serve. The Shield Bar crew works on websites, SEO, social media, logo & graphic design and email marketing. Providing consistency and professionalism for their clients, online and offline, is at the core of what they do. Nikole also co-founded the Advantage Alliance Referral Networking group; and is the marketing subject matter expert for both the Town of Sahuarita, Arizona, U.S. and the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce.
