🤝 How to Win Your Customers' Trust in 2023

Imagine walking into a store with no cashiers or employees in sight…

You browse the shelves, choose your items, and then, instead of waiting in line to pay, you simply drop the exact amount of money you owe in a jar and walk out.

Sounds like a scene from a utopian movie, right?

Well, I’m here to tell you that in some parts of the world, this "utopian" concept actually EXISTS!

Take the village of Inakadate in northern Japan, for example. Here, you'll find unmanned shops, known as "mujin hanbai," where locals and visitors alike can purchase produce, snacks, and other goods on the honor system.

They simply pick up what they need, and leave their money in a jar or box. No supervision required.

At the heart of this unconventional system is trust: The belief that people will do the right thing and uphold their end of the bargain.

This level of trust fosters a strong sense of community and cooperation, which can help maintain a thriving and harmonious society.

But trust isn't just important in idyllic Japanese villages; it also plays a vital role in the world of Entrepreneurship as well.

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful business, and building it with your clients and team members should be one of your TOP priorities.

In fact, I want to share with you a personal story that highlights just how important trust really is.

It was around 14 years ago, and I was getting ready to speak at my first-ever live event…When I suddenly realized that my credit card processing system wasn’t properly set up.

My heart raced as I tried to remain calm, but inside, I was panicking.

I knew I couldn't afford any hiccups at this crucial moment. My reputation and the success of the event were on the line.

I needed help…And I needed help FAST.

That's when Mr. X, the leader of an outside sales team we hired to help manage the event, graciously offered to use his credit card processing and promised to transfer the money to us when he got it (minus a small cut for the inconvenience).

Feeling a sense of relief, I agreed, believing that we had found a solution in the nick of time.

The event went on, and I poured my heart and soul into my presentation (and even covered for the main headline that no-showed at the last minute).

…But I was completely unaware of the trouble that was brewing behind the scenes.

As the two-day event came to a close, I felt a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, knowing that I had given my all... But my world came crashing down when I learned that Mr. X had betrayed my trust about 30 days later.

He had told me that he needed 90 days to make sure there were no chargebacks. This seemed reasonable, so I didn’t think much of it at the time.

To make a long story short, it’s now been 14 years later and I still never ended up getting paid from the event collections.

Mr. X kept every single cent we made that weekend for himself.

The sting of his deception left me feeling betrayed, but it taught me a valuable lesson that I will NEVER forget:

Trust is a lot like a delicate spider web — it takes time to build, yet it can be broken within a split second.

So now the question becomes…

How can you build this oh-so-important trust factor with your clients?

Let's break it down in 3 easy steps…👇

1. Authenticity: Be Genuine, Be YOU

People can smell a fake from a mile away. It's like trying to pass off a knockoff designer bag as the real deal — It just isn't the same.

To establish trust, you must present your true, authentic self to your audience. Share your story, your passions, and your "why."

By doing so, you'll connect with people on a deeper level and encourage long-lasting, meaningful relationships.

1. Reliability: Be Someone Others Can Count On

Ever heard the phrase: "Actions speak louder than words?"

Our core values include the phrase, “DO WHAT YOU SAY.” This timeless saying rings especially true when it comes to building trust in the Entrepreneurial world.

To establish yourself as a reliable and trustworthy figure, you need to consistently over-deliver on your promises, meet deadlines, and provide top-notch customer service.

Your audience should feel confident that they can depend on you, no matter the circumstance.

Here are a few ways to showcase your reliability:

• Set realistic expectations: Be upfront with your customers about what they can expect from your product or service — This way, you're less likely to disappoint and more likely to exceed their needs.
• Communicate proactively: Keep your clients in the loop about project updates or any changes that may affect them. This level of transparency goes a LONG way in building trust and creating lifelong relationships.
• Address issues promptly: When problems arise (and they will), tackle them head-on and find solutions quickly. Showing that you're committed to resolving issues demonstrates your dedication to their satisfaction.

1. Expertise: Know Your Stuff and Show It

Let's face it: We live in a world where not everyone lives up to what they advertise. This is what inspired me to start my company (another story for a different day…)

(How often have you opened YouTube and heard someone claim that they can teach you to make a million dollars in just 48 hours?)

That’s why it's now more crucial than ever to stand out from the crowd and prove your worth as an Entrepreneur in order to gain your customers’ trust.

There are many ways to do this, but the one I love doing the most is through NETWORKING.

Networking offers a unique opportunity to showcase our authenticity and dedication to our craft.

Because as we engage in meaningful conversations, exchange ideas, and add value while collaborating with fellow Entrepreneurs, we naturally build rapport with others who can attest to our expertise and the integrity of our businesses.

So, as you continue on your week, remember to focus on building trust in your Entrepreneurial journey… Just like the mujin hanbai shops in Japan.

Because by making it our cornerstone, we can create thriving businesses and a much more interconnected world.

To your success,

David

P.S. Imagine reaching your BEST Buyers using ONE

proven strategy that has been averaging an over 30%

open rate… WE’VE GOT IT.  Reply back with “Best

Buyer” and we’ll get you details.