Building Trustworthiness: Elevating Your Company's Brand with Personal Brand Trust Values
The concept of personal brand trust can extend beyond individuals to also influence the trustworthiness of a company. A company's brand is essentially the sum of the perceptions and experiences people have with it, and trust is a fundamental element of a strong and positive brand.
What are the components that create trust for a personal brand which leads to an increase in a company’s brand?
Be authentic
One of the best ways to build brand trust is to be authentic and consistent in your marketing. Don't try to be something you're not, or copy what others are doing. Instead, focus on your unique qualities and your target audience's needs and preferences. Show your personality, your passion, and your purpose through your content, your design, and your interactions. Authenticity builds credibility, loyalty, and emotional connection.
Be transparent
Another key factor for building brand trust is to be transparent and honest. This means being open and clear about your products, services, prices, policies, and processes. Don't hide or exaggerate any information, or make false or misleading claims. Instead, provide accurate and complete details, disclose any risks or limitations, and admit any mistakes or failures. Transparency builds confidence, respect, and trustworthiness.
Be responsive
A third way to build brand trust is to be responsive and attentive. This means being available and accessible to your network which is full of customers, prospects, and partners. Don't ignore or delay any feedback, questions, or complaints. Instead, acknowledge and address them promptly, professionally, and politely. Use multiple channels and platforms to communicate and engage with your audience, and provide helpful and relevant information and solutions. Responsiveness builds satisfaction, retention, and advocacy.
Be valuable
A fourth way to build brand trust is to be valuable and useful. This means providing value and benefit to your audience, not just selling or promoting your products or services. Don't spam or annoy your audience with irrelevant or intrusive content. Instead, create and share content that educates, entertains, inspires, or solves their problems.
Be ethical
A fifth way to build brand trust is to be ethical and responsible. This means respecting and protecting your audience's privacy, data, and rights. Don't collect or use any personal or sensitive information without their consent, or share it with third parties without their knowledge.. Ethics builds security, reliability, and reputation.
Be adaptable
A sixth way to build brand trust is to be adaptable and flexible. This means being able to adjust and improve according to the changing needs, preferences, and behaviors of your audience, as well as the evolving trends, technologies, and opportunities in the digital landscape. Instead, monitor and measure your performance, and use data and feedback to optimize and innovate your digital marketing tactics. Adaptability builds relevance, differentiation, and growth.
If you have an employee who has built a personal brand, the work the employee is doing is also connecting the dots to the company in so many ways. I couldn’t just choose a few, so bear with me as there are 10 benefits to an employee who has built their personal brand and how it can have a positive effect on a company.
1. Enhanced Company Reputation: When employees build strong personal brands, it reflects positively on the company. A credible, knowledgeable, and influential employee can elevate the company's reputation within their industry.
2. Increased Credibility and Trust: Employees with strong personal brands often have a dedicated following or network. Their endorsements or recommendations for the company's products or services carry weight, increasing credibility and trust among potential customers.
3. Better Customer Engagement: Employees with well-established personal brands often have a direct line of communication with their followers or network. Engaging with these individuals can improve customer relations and enhance the customer experience.
4. Attracting Talent: A company associated with employees known for their expertise, thought leadership, or innovation becomes an attractive place to work. This can lead to a more talented pool of potential employees wanting to join the company.
5. Content and Thought Leadership: Employees with strong personal brands often create valuable content that positions them as thought leaders. When they share insights related to the company's industry or products, it indirectly benefits the business.
6. Networking and Partnerships: Employees with strong personal brands can open doors to new partnerships, collaborations, or networking opportunities that benefit the company. Their connections can introduce the company to potential clients, vendors, or industry leaders.
7. Amplified Marketing Reach: Employees who actively promote the company through their personal brand can significantly expand the company's marketing reach. Their social media presence, speaking engagements, or contributions to industry publications can all bring positive attention to the business.
8. Increased Sales and Revenue: Engaged and influential employees can influence purchase decisions by recommending the company's products or services. Their endorsements often lead to increased sales and revenue.
9. Brand Advocacy: Employees with strong personal brands are more likely to advocate for the company both online and offline. They can positively represent the brand and its values in various contexts.
10. Employee Retention and Motivation: When employees are encouraged to build their personal brands, they often feel more valued and empowered. This can lead to higher job satisfaction, improved morale, and increased loyalty to the company.
The one thing to remember regarding building brand trust, is it takes time. It is the long game, one may not see the ROI within 3 months, so patience and consistency is really key to seeing the benefits. Encouraging and supporting employees in developing their personal brands can be a strategic move for companies to leverage the collective influence and expertise of their workforce, ultimately benefiting the business as a whole.