Why you should be letting your audience get to know, like & trust you.
We now live in a world where there is an abundance of opportunity especially for those of us that are in the creative industries. We are able to reach huge numbers of people for very little cost and being visible has never been easier. However, there is a downside to this: More and more small businesses are popping up everywhere and people want so much more than just a product.
So competition is fierce but with the right tools you can stand out to the people you want to work with. First things first you need to stop talking to everybody and focus in on your niche. Or in other words your ideal client. These are the people who your product or service gives the highest possible value to and by knowing exactly who they are means you can get your message across to them and they will hear you over the chatter!
Generally and more often than not you will have common ground with your ideal client which gives you an endless amount of marketing content that you can authentically talk about (remember people can see through bullshit so authenticity is paramount) and this where the letting them get to know, like & trust you comes in.
You should look at your marketing and content in those exact categories. When someone comes across your website/social media if something catches their eye that they connect to or gives them value that will trigger the process of them getting to know you. They may choose to follow you or subscribe to your blog at this point as they connected with you on that basic level.
As your audience gets to know you over time they will start to like you. Remember this is your ideal client you are creating content specifically for them and the more value and connection you give them the more they will get to like you. The more personality you put in to your marketing the better. Have you ever done online dating and been disappointed that the person you finally met in real life seems totally different to the person you were getting to know online? You do not want this to happen in your business. If you are not authentically communicating your message to your audience you will fall on your face when it comes to interacting with them as clients, so be warned.
Once your audience (now potential clients) like you the next step is trust. This is the dealbreaker if you can gain trust through your content, brand and influence then sales become education and will be easy because the potential client is at the stage where they trust you and believe in what you offer. The key to this is consistently showing up, so long breaks in your social media feed, blog, newsletter will ring alarm bells for people, they are now expecting to hear from you.
This doesn't mean you should never go on holiday or have a break this just means you need to be organised. There is a huge selection of apps and software out there that can help you plan and schedule your content so if you are going for a break with your family... no problem just schedule your content and automate!
The other thing is (and it's that word again) being consistent with your brand and message. Again this goes back to being authentic and creating a brand that you LOVE and sticking with it. If you are confused and chopping and changing all the time then that is only going to lose trust with your audience and potential clients.
I will finish with a perfect example from one of my brides last year. This will also get help you realise that you are playing the long game here.... nothing is ever overnight!
Emily rang me early last year and booked me as her wedding photographer over the phone. I didn't need to sell or justify my prices to her. She had come across me nearly 2yrs before she even got engaged when she saw some photos I took at a friends wedding and started to follow me. Over that 2yrs she got to know me through my social media platforms and started to like me, by the time she got engaged she trusted me and well the rest is history. From my side, I got to work with my absolute perfect clients and had the best time working with them.
So that's why you should be letting your audience get to know, like and trust you!
Have a great week!
Ami xx
HELLO!
My name is Ami and I am primarily a photographer based in London who specialises in personal brand and commercial imagery for women in business.
I offer a range of service from full branding to mini headshot sessions that I hold 4 times a year. I really believe that the best way to connect with your clients is on an emotional and personal level that be done through beautiful imagery.
I will also be offering empowering boudoir for women who want to be brave and show a side of themselves they have never let out before later in 2018.
I am also a wedding photographer at Rubie Love Photography so emotion and authenticity is something I am not only an expert in but I also thrive on.
If you want to know more about how I can help you just click on the button.
Another way you can connect with me is to join my Facebook group The Wolves a community I am building for amazing women in business who want to have a place they can find support and advice.
I have also got my amazing mini branding/headshot sessions happening in the next few days and I have some spaces left. These are perfect for those of you who need images for your website and social media that authentically show who you are but maybe don't have the budget yet for full branding. Just click on the button to find out more and get booked in!