Trust is a big word right now in the internet. Everyone is talking about being open and honest, transparency and a willingness to lay it all on the table. You’ve got to be seen as trustworthy before you can expect anyone to listen to you.

Earning trust isn’t as simple as just telling people they can trust you. You’ve got to earn it. You have to know exactly what people need before they can start trusting you.

• Show them your expertise. People will trust other people who know what they are talking about. Make an effort to learn more about your niche every day, and then pass on that information to your subscribers. If they can see you as a knowledgeable source they will be more likely to trust you.
• Admit it when you don’t know something. Just as showing them that you are an expert wil earn trust, being honest about hat you don’t know shows that you are trustworthy. It also gives you a chance to open up for a guest blogger, which can be a huge benefit for both of you.
• Tell it like it is. It’s temping to hype up every product you get if the chance to make money from it is there. But think about it, is that small affiliate check worth losing the trust of your readers? If the product sucks, tell your subscribers that it sucks. It only takes a few bad sales for you to become the blogger who cries wolf.
• When you’re wrong, say you’re wrong. It sounds so simple, yet you’d be amazed at how many people just can’t do it. No excuses, no buts, no pointing the finger. Just say you were wrong, apologize, and try to do better. When your subscribers know you will admit it when you are wrong they will become a loyal following that can take you to the top.

Remember that when you get the trust of your subscribers, you don’t want to lose it. If you start playing hard and fast with your subscribers’ trust you will see them unsubscribing as fast as they can.

photo credit: notsogoodphotography

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