8 proven ways to build trust on social media [2021 edition]

If you have been engaged in work for your company for quite some time, your competitors are familiar with you, and your customers know you, do you think that’s enough? The answer is no, unfortunately. Many brands come and go. Consumer trust is essential to staying alive in the long run.

According to a recent global survey carried out by PwC, it has been shown that brand trust has a significant impact on consumers’ shopping decisions. It was reported by 35% of respondents that brand trust was one of the top three factors that motivated them to shop at a specific store, and 14% said that brand trust was their primary influence.

Moreover, the findings of the same study also indicate that opinions expressed on social media whether they were from friends or strangers, influence purchases more than retailer-controlled factors – for instance, pricing and advertising.

Simply put, social media is a place where trust can be built. If you are looking for ways to build a brand that stands up successfully, take note of these 8 social media trust-building tips.

●     Keep Your Brand Voice Consistent When Communicating.

A minimalist, robotic message lacks personality and is likely to repel interested parties. Your message must be delivered in a manner that engages with your listeners on a personal level.

Consider the fundamental traits your company wants to convey through the tone of your writing, and then practice communicating these traits through a writing tone if your business has not yet established a brand voice. The consistency of your brand voice is essential when you have established your brand voice.

●     Make Time For Humour And Pleasure.

Posts about your business or your content marketing plan should be the focus of your majority of postings. Nevertheless, finding time for pleasure and humor is essential.

Share a Monday morning video clip that makes you laugh (if it is appropriate for your company). It gives your brand a trustworthy and friendly persona and communicates that your main purpose is to share with your audience, not to sell to them.

●     Share One-Of-A-Kind, Innovative Thoughts.

It is easy and popular to share posts on social media. The ability to share or retweet popular content can help you grow an Instagram audience, and you become a glorified news feed creator. In this situation, your brand is virtually indistinguishable from all the other businesses. Brands that are trusted must demonstrate thought leadership.

By sharing innovative, creative ideas, you can gain confidence and trust from your audience. However, it does not mean that you should not share other people’s content with your audience. Simply do so sparingly and stick to your own.

●     Respond to Comments And Inquiries.

Undoubtedly, it may be difficult for your business to respond to every inquiry. In some cases, responding to inquiries is usually a simple process for most brands.

It is an indication of the interest a person has in your brand when they comment on one of your posts on social media or ask a question about what you do in your business. To demonstrate that you care about your customers and have listened to their concerns, you should respond promptly to their comments and queries.

Don’t use an auto-response when responding to a topic or comment. Address the topic completely. Make sure your responses are not robotic to gain the trust of your audience.

●     Be Forthright.

A transparent person communicates that he or she does not have anything to hide. The most beneficial thing you can do for your audience is to be transparent and honest in your business dealings

Furthermore, you should refrain from erasing posts. It is possible to erase a negative comment a fan has posted about your business on Facebook, but don’t do it. Your response to the message demonstrates that you listen to your customers and do not conceal any aspect of your business.

●     Be Accountable To Yourself.

There will always be horrible things that happen to a business, no matter what type it is. Many things can go wrong, including missed deadlines, shipment errors, and even felony charges against board members. If you’re serious about developing trust, social media should be used to publicly apologize for unpleasant news.

The best way to resolve the problem is to directly address its core causes while also providing any relevant information about the circumstances. Whether individually or collectively, make amends to your followers, in any way you can. Taking this step demonstrates your capacity to recognize your mistakes and your willingness to make them right.

●     Avoid Advertising your customers.

Social media marketing is a false metaphor, as a big part of your audience will be lost. If you use social media for marketing purposes only, Be careful not to engage in direct marketing to your audience. If your followers feel that they are being advertised, they will begin to lose confidence in your willingness to consider their interests before your interest.

Your audience should receive value from your marketing efforts when marketing on social media. By offering value to your clients rather than simply selling them your products and services, you will automatically gain their trust. Promoting a product through a free giveaway or responding to inquiries with relevant product links are all ways to capture attention.

●     Commit to a higher purpose.

Your brand’s perceived worth and ethical values can be boosted through social responsibility, and social media can be used for effective communication.

It is better to remain humble about your accomplishments than to brag about them as this could turn off your clients. If you’ve done any kind of volunteer work or philanthropy, don’t be shy about highlighting that, particularly in your local area. By doing so, you not only foster trust but also encourage charitable giving and volunteering.

Conclusion

Trust does not develop overnight in followers. Commitment is necessary to see results. Imagine, however, that you can develop a relationship of mutual trust with your audience. As a result, your articles will be more impactful, and you will have a greater chance to hold on to your followers.  You will undoubtedly grow your business by converting those fans into regular, paying customers.