When you’re just starting out online with a home based business, or any other endeavor for that matter, one of the first things you must consider is how to build your reputation on the web. After all, your reputation is what defines you not only as an entrepreneur but also as a person and how people perceive you will ultimately determine whether or not they want to do business with you and your enterprise.
None of us want to be viewed as being under handed or shady or untrustworthy when it comes to our business dealings online and we should keep this in mind at all times. Whenever we write an article or make a blog post or comment on a forum we should always be honest and try to help other Internet marketers who may be having problems or who may have concerns.
Here are 4 techniques you can use to help build your reputation online so people will find you trustworthy and dependable and will want to do business with you in the future:
1. The first thing you should do is make it a habit to participate on the social networks. It doesn’t help to join in once in awhile whenever the mood strikes you or whenever think you have nothing better to do. You should create a schedule of days and times when you’re going to visit your favorite social sites, forums and blogs and take part by making thoughtful comments which add to the discussion or add value to the content on the website.
Try to make it at least two or three times per week at the same time so you will be seen as someone who is reliable and who cares about adding to the commentary and who values others’ opinions.
2. Help people on these various social sites and forums every chance you can get. People have real problems and are looking for real solutions from real people and they truly appreciate any assistance you can offer.
It’s my belief that “what goes around comes around”. If you’re genuinely interested in helping someone with a business problem or an Internet marketing predicament they may be experiencing you will be rewarded somewhere down the road either by word-of-mouth advertising which will enhance your reputation on the Internet or by acquiring a new customer sometime in the future because of your past deeds.
3. When you’re participating online try to be an innovator, not a follower. People appreciate originality both in thought and action so instead of just repeating what someone else has just said or done provide your opinion on how you would have approached the situation or what you would have said or how you would have acted.
After all innovation, originality and adding value is what the World Wide Web is supposed to be all about and if you follow this credo people will begin to respect you and your opinion on any given topic you decide to broach on the Internet.
4. Finally, don’t comment just for the sake of having something to say. Try to stay within you’re area of expertise when you reply to someone else’s remark or make your own observation. However, it’s always a good idea to expand your horizons and if you do so be sure you do your research so you’ll know what you’re talking about and you won’t come across as a rank amateur.
I believe the old adage states, but please don’t quote me, “it’s better to keep quiet and appear the fool than to open your mouth and prove it” and this certainly applies when trying to enhance your reputation as a knowledgeable business person online.
Adding to your credibility and creating your personal brand on the web is very important if you’re going to achieve the success you want with your home based business. If you employ these four tactics you should be well on the way to increasing your integrity in the eyes of your potential customers as well as your current clients.