Part 8. The Golden Rule of Sales in 2024

The One Thing You Absolutely Need to Nail.

Hi again, dear subscribers (or soon-to-be)!

Today we’re going to talk about what I consider to be ‘the golden rule of sales’ in 2024.

You can have the best products, the best marketing, AND the best prices, but none of that matters if you don’t have one thing: trust.

That’s right, in today’s digital world, trust is the currency that drives sales.

If your customers don’t trust you, they won’t buy from you. It’s that simple.

So, how do you build trust in an era of constant information overload, fake news, & endless competition? Stick around, and I’ll show you how.

Why Trust is Everything in Sales

In 2024, consumers have more options than ever before.

With a few taps on their phone, anyone can compare products, read reviews, and make a purchase from halfway across the world on the fly. In this environment, trust is THE deciding factor.

If your customers trust your brand, they’re more likely to buy from you, recommend you to others, and stick with you for the long haul.

Think about it: Have you ever bought something from a brand you didn’t trust? Probably not. Trust is the foundation of every successful sales relationship, whether you’re selling software, clothing, or consulting services.

At THE 9 KEYS, we have prioritized early on building trust with our customers because we know it’s the key to long-term success. Since without trust, all the blog articles, and marketing tactics in the world won’t simply matter…

Self-reflection spot #1:

Ask yourself what your customer needs to see from you before having enough trust in your brand and the products you sell or promote.

Transparency - The 1st Step to Building Trust

The first natural step to building trust with your audience is transparency.

Be upfront about who you are, what you offer, and what your customers can expect from you. If there are potential downsides to your product, don’t hide them - address them directly, or it could quickly backfire.

Transparency also means being honest about your pricing, delivery times, & customer service. If something goes wrong, own up to it and make it right. Customers appreciate brands that are open & honest, even when things don’t go as planned.

At THE 9 KEYS, we’re always upfront with our customers about what the products we proudly promote can & can’t do.

We believe that being transparent from the start is the only way to build stronger, more trusting relationships, and saves us the headaches of dealing with claims & returns…

Self-reflection spot #2:

‘‘Honesty is the highest form of intimacy’’

(Source: Unknown)

Deliver on Your Promises

It might sound obvious, but one of the easiest ways to build trust is to deliver on your promises.

If you say you’re going to do something, do it. For example, if you promise fast shipping, make sure the product arrives on time. If you guarantee results, make sure your customers see those results.

Consistency is key here. Every positive experience a customer has with your brand reinforces their trust in you making them more likely to share it happily online..

On the flip side, if you fail to meet expectations, even once, can damage that trust & hurt your reputation online significantly.

At THE 9 KEYS, we pay particular attention to any feedback received, while making sure to follow through on every commitment we make, whether it’s a delivery deadline or a promise to provide ongoing support.

Self-reflection spot #3:

‘‘Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.’’

The Power of Social Proof

One of the most powerful tools for building trust in 2024 is through social proof.

Social proofing refers to the idea that people are more likely to trust a product or service if they see others using & endorsing it.

Think reviews, testimonials, case studies, and even influencer partnerships if you can.

When potential customers see that other people have had positive experiences with your brand or brands you promote, they’re more likely to trust you.

At THE 9 KEYS, we make sure to showcase customer testimonials from the brands we promote through their respective affiliate programs, as well as from those who have purchased other products through our marketing platform.

It’s one thing for us to say our products are great—it’s another thing entirely when our customers say it. 😊

Never underestimate the power of customer reviews. As relevant example, the consistently excellent feedback for HighLevel only reinforces the positive experiences we’ve shared so far. (Updated in Sept. 2024)

Engagement - Build Relationships, Not Just Sales

Another key to building trust is engagement.

Don’t just sell to your audience—build relationships with them. This means interacting with your customers on social media, responding to their comments & questions promptly, and showing that you genuinely care about their needs.

When customers feel a genuine connection with your brand, they’re more likely to trust you & continue doing business with you. So don’t hesitate to invest extra time if needed, especially after launching your brand online.

Engagement also gives you valuable insights into what your customers want, which can help you improve both your products & services.

At THE 9 KEYS, we make it a point to engage with our audience regularly on social media. Whether it’s answering questions, responding to feedback, or just having a conversation, we sincerely believe that building relationships is just as important as making sales.

People are more likely to trust those they can look directly in the eye.

The more you appear on camera, the easier it will become for you to build trust & accountability.

Ethical Marketing - Build Trust, Don’t Break It

Finally, let’s talk about ethical marketing. Does this term ring any bell?

In 2024, consumers are more savvy than ever, & they can spot a scam from a mile away. That’s why it’s so important to be ethical in your marketing practices.

Harmful practices to avoid include making misleading claims, writing clickbait headlines, or using manipulative tactics. Instead, as we’ve emphasized before, focus on providing genuine value to your audience. When you’re honest & transparent in your marketing & communication, you build trust with your customers, & that trust often leads to sales.

At THE 9 KEYS, we always prioritize ethical marketing. We believe that honesty & integrity will be the foundation of our long-term success - as they will be yours as well.

Self-reflection spot #4:

Which side of the scale do you want to be on?

Case Study - Building Trust at THE 9 KEYS

Let me share a quick story.

When we first started THE 9 KEYS, one of our biggest challenges was convincing potential customers to trust us - a common hurdle for any new business launching online.

After all, we were a new brand in a relatively competitive market. So, we decided right from the beginning to focus on transparency & social proof while sharing our very own experience that we knew would naturally resonate with other business owners.

For example, we shared our own testimonials alongside others, published many value-adding blog articles like this one, created free tutorials & personal reviews (all accessible on our website as on our YouTube channel), & ensured we provided hands-on support to anyone who trusted us enough to try the core products we promote.

The result?

Over time and relatively quickly, we managed to build a loyal customer base that trusts us & recommends us to others.

Today, a large portion of our business comes from word-of-mouth referrals, along with the positive impact of running low-cost ad campaigns on social media, none of which would be possible without the trust we’ve worked hard to build…

TAKE-AWAY

So, what’s the golden rule of sales in 2024?

Build trust.

Be transparent, deliver on your promises, engage with your audience, & always prioritize ethical marketing. Trust is the foundation of any successful business, and without it, even the best products & marketing strategies won’t get you far.

Apply all those effective strategies starting today, & you’ll very soon see the impact it has on your sales & customer loyalty.

Trust me on this one - it works.