5 ways to gain and retain customer trust

For business owners like you—a lack of trust may be the biggest threat to your company.

Without trust, you can lose sales, no transactions can be made, your credibility would be destroyed, and your business cannot grow.

Trust is even more important for coaches and consultants.

Why?

They handle clients who are enthusiastic to change their life, find solutions to their problems, or learn lessons that will make them better persons.

And what happens when you build a business that's based on people's desires, dreams, and pain points? You build a business that cannot significantly succeed without a high level of trust.

Here are 5 practices that will help you build and retain customer trust:

? Practice active listening

This not only builds trust; it also builds loyalty.

Make sure you understand your potential client/client.?

Ask clarifying questions or paraphrase if you need to make sure that you understand what the person is trying to communicate.

Habit 5 of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a piece of perfect advice: "Seek first to understand, then be understood."

? Avoid being pushy or too salesy

The key is to proactively create value— not reactively.

If you just push products, you will sacrifice goodwill and trust.

Focus on bringing value to the table and helping your audience—genuinely.

Do not keep your best tips to yourself, share your insights, and facilitate helpful conversations.

? Showcase your expertise

Optimize your LinkedIn Profile.

Complete all sections of it, state your relevant skills, proactively manage your endorsements, take a skills assessment, request recommendations, and show your passion for what you do.

Also, publish thought leadership content and valuable resources or information.

? Take note of the dos and don’ts of being an honest business owner

Do not post fake reviews.?

This is unethical. It will affect not only how your audience might see you but also how people inside your company will see you.

If you don't have enough reviews from your clients yet, share stories about yourself: your success stories and relevant insights.

Maintain consistency in character

You cannot be one person in your business and another in your personal life.

Be honest about what you can and can’t do. Be truthful with yourself, your employees, your audience, and your clients.

? Be relatable

It doesn't have to be all about cold calling and hard sales, or else, trust won't come naturally.??

Share personal stories that are relevant to their goals. This can create genuine connections and meaningful solutions.

As a coach or consultant, your integrity is of paramount importance. ???

Even if you have a powerful idea, a set of amazing skills, or a perfect product— if there is a lack of trust, you will eventually fall behind. ??

Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Marc Russell Benioff said it best: "Trust has to be the highest value in your company, and if it’s not, something bad is going to happen."

Just send me a message if you need assistance with lead generation or LinkedIn Marketing!

Cheers,

Royan