This is part three of a seven part series diving deep into the "7C's of Marketing" and what they mean for your business and ours.
Read parts 1 and 2 here: Part 1-Clients Part 2-Cost
The "7C's of Marketing" are guides of sorts. A baseline for what your business should focus on when thinking about your marketing strategy and attracting and keeping clients. When followed and learned from, the "7C's of Marketing" can help keep you and your business focused on what really matters.
The 3rd "C": Credibility
Have you ever stopped just short of buying something because you weren't familiar with the brand? Maybe you searched for information on the internet but couldn't find a website, or maybe there were just one to many poor reviews on Amazon. In these instances, why didn't you follow through with the purchase? There are probably a few different answers you can give to that question, but they all come down to the same thing: a lack of credibility.
Oxford Languages defines credibility as: "The quality of being trusted and believed in." In marketing words it can be defined as: the amount of trust you have cultivated with your clients and protentional clients. Without credibility, without trust, there is very little hope of connecting with people. As a business and as an individual, it should be your goal to build that credibility as best you can with as many people as you can. Before people work with you, they want to know what kind of person you are and what kind of business you own/work with. Nobody wants to hire somebody who will take their money and leave the job half done.
So, show them your credibility.
How to Cultivate Credibility
Credibility takes time. It does not happen overnight, and it most certainly doesn't happen just because you feel as if you are a great person. Credibility comes from actions and fulfilment. Remember, you aren't trying to convince yourself, you are trying to convince everyone else.
So, what can you do? Here are a few things:
1. Get a Website
When is the last time you bought a product or service from a small business WITHOUT checking out their website first? If you didn't, well, you are actually in the minority. In fact, "90% of consumers used the internet to find local businesses last year" Source.
Today a website isn't just about making sales, and its not just about getting reach, its about credibility. You may not agree with that fact, you may not like it, but its the truth!
Many people think that websites are expensive and time consuming. Well, its 2020, and that simply isn't the case anymore. Click HERE to get started on one! Gone are the days of overpaying for websites!
2. Ask for Reviews
It may seem a bit awkward at first, asking for reviews, but why? You are proud of your work, you did a great job, and your clients love working with you. You earned it. Assuming that your clients feel the same, reviews are a VALUABLE source of real credibility.
Did you know that, "82% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, with 52% of 18-54-year-olds saying they ‘always’ read reviews"? Source
Let your work speak for itself.
3. Ask for Referrals
Again, asking your clients for referrals may seem awkward, but old fashioned word of mouth is still the way many people get the majority of their clientele.
The fact is, someone is much more likely to work with you if you can tell them that their great friend already does and vouches for you. That rare element of trust will get you 99% of the way.
4. Write a Blog
It doesn't even need to be a blog! Write informative social media posts!
Point is, write something that shows your clients and people who are interested in you what you are all about and where your specialties lie. Keeping up with a blog shows dedication, knowledge, and a certain level of professionalism. It can go a long way to establishing credibility.
What its all About
Credibility is incredibly important in the world of business. Without it, you will find it much more difficult to get that big breakthrough you are looking for. People want to feel safe and sure of where they are putting their money and what they are going to get from it. So, get that credibility, make people feel more comfortable with your agency, and make sales!
The End
Read Part 1 Here: Part 1: Clients Read Part 2 Here: Part 2-Cost
Still not sure about credibility and how to better establish yours? Give 7C's Marketing a call! We would be happy to discuss with you strategies and options based on your specific needs.
Give us a call or shoot us a text: 210-954-9953
Check out our website: www.7csmarketing.com
Or simply send an email!: t_corey@7csmarketing.com
We look forward to hearing from you!