The 7 Things To Do To Be Trusted Online…

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You’ve heard it before…it takes a long time to build, but can be destroyed in seconds.

Trust.

I came across a great article at The E-Commerce Guide about seven things you can do in your online business to help build trust. Let’s face it, if you land on a site and feel the least bit “at risk”, you’re going to move on.

What’s worse, you’ve spent money, time and energy getting visitors (and potential customers) to your site. Then, if you overlook one simple thing… see ya!

So, a quick summary of the 7 things you can do to build and establish trust online are as follows:

• Tell the customer where they are and what you do in an easy to understand fashion.
• Provide testimonials and reviews.
• Tell the customer when they’re buying something and what they’re buying.
• Show the customer you care.
• State your policies for privacy up front.
• Make your return policy clear and understandable.
• Provide a way to talk to a person.

All pretty obvious points, but easy to forget with the countless other things you have filling your mind.

Check out the full article at The E-Commerce Guide.

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Blogging Your Voice…

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Sorry about dropping the “F” bomb…

Actually, no… I’m not sorry.

I wanted to talk about the importance of finding, defining, and refining your voice. And, the Brooklyn blog Fucked In Park Slope does an great job at demonstrating voice! Check it out…

Take a look at Fucked’s advertising page.
Want to write for FIPS?

The point is that this blog is congruent in all ways. FIPS doesn’t just use profanity, they are profane! The way the blog is written represents the blog, it’s writers, and defines the blogs voice.

What’s your voice?

• The tone of your writing.
• The syntax of your writing.
• Your vocabulary.
• Your use of punctuation.

Voice differentiates you… Voice conveys your personality… Voice makes you interesting.

In a world filled with way too much information, readers need to be entertained. Words on a computer screen without any personality (without voice) are torture to the reader. And, who the hell in their right mind is going to submit themselves to your written torture?

So here are a few tips for writing in your voice.

• Write as you speak. Same words, same slang, same shity grammer.
• Don’t worry about incorrect punctuation.
• Avoid editing your content while you write.
• Don’t use buzz words or jargon without reason.
• Tell personal stories in your writing.

There you have it. It isn’t difficult. But, way too many bloggers feel they have to write in a professional manner.

Do yourself a favor… no, do your poor readers a favor, and write in your own voice.

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