As a business owner you’ve probably heard about three criteria people use when deciding to do business with you.  Consciously, or subconsciously, people do business with people they know, like, and trust. 

Of course you must deliver a quality product or service but that’s not enough.  Options are abundant so when it comes down to making a choice, how a person feels about you can make the difference between choosing your company and choosing someone else.

So how do you become known, liked, and trusted?  It’s all about being authentic and sincere.  You can’t fake this stuff so don’t even try. Make it a habit to keep these three factors in mind as you work in, and on, your business.

If you’re a solopreneur then it’s all about you and who you are.  If your business has employees then they are included as well and each employee can directly impact whether or not people know, like, and trust the company. 

In addition to people, it is possible to know, like, and trust a brand.  It isn’t always about an individual relationship.  So whether it’s all about you, a group of employees, or a brand, this concept applies to all businesses. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of the three reasons people choose your business.

KNOW

The way you get to know someone is to build a relationship over time.  You exchange ideas and information and develop a connection.  There are many ways your prospective clients can get to know you better.  Here are few:

- Spend time together with you in person

- Talk with you on the phone

- Read your e-mails

- Read your articles or books

- Listen to an audio recording you created

LIKE

People have a choice of who they do business with, and it’s logical that they gravitate toward people they like.  Think about it, when is the last time you invested in something from someone you didn’t like?

Find out how likable you are by taking the L-Factor Self Assessment from Tim Sander’s book, The Likability Factor.  Download your free assessment and find out how likable you are here. 

TRUST

Trust is built between people when you are open, honest, and keep your promises.  It’s about doing what you say you are going to do.  So it’s quite simple.  It’s about being impeccable with your word (which is the first agreement in the book The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz).  This is about showing up on time, delivering when you promise, and keeping your commitments just to name a few.  Make the choice to be true to your word you will create trust. 

You can’t make people know, like, and trust you.  They either will or they won’t.  What you can control is who you are and how you act as the owner of your business. 

Are you starting to see how building the ‘know, like, and trust’ factor can help you attract more clients and increase profits?  Ask yourself often if you are creating a business that invites people to get to know you, see what you stand for, and builds trust.  Do this and you will ignite your business!

© Stephanie Ward, 2008

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

It’s one of the first things parents teach their children to say.  You were probably taught this as well, I know I was.  So why do we, as adults, forget to do it so often in business?  Simply saying these two words: thank you. 

You may be thinking that as a business owner you have so many other important things to do that saying thank isn’t a top priority.

Possible reasons you don’t say thank you often enough:

- You’re too busy

- You believe it isn’t necessary

- You don’t think to do it (or you forget)

- You think saying thank you is only for the big things

- People rarely thank you, so why should you bother

There is actually no down side to saying thank you.  Think about it, can you remember a time when someone thanked you for something and you didn’t like it?  We humans crave acknowledgment and feel validated when we receive it.

Benefits of saying thank you:

> People feel appreciated, respected, and valued

> People get to share in the success they helped you achieve

> People feel acknowledged for what they do for you

> People may help again knowing that it is appreciated

> People remember who thanks them (and who doesn’t)

One tip, please don’t say thank you as a ploy or strategy to gain something, only do it if you really mean it.  Sincerity is an integral part of being thankful and if your thank you isn’t sincere, it will show.

Say thank you because you want to and don’t hope, or expect, to be thanked in return.  It’s not about keeping score.

Here are some ideas about who you can thank:

* Clients

* Prospects

* Colleagues

* Partners

* Anyone who helps you with your business

So what is a good reason to say thank you?  This is up to you and varies for each person.  You can thank someone who:

- Buys something from your business

- Gives you an interesting introduction

- Refers you to a client

- Gives you new ideas

- Shares valuable information with you (articles, websites, books)

Saying thank you doesn’t have to cost a thing and it’s easy to do.  If you want to, you can spend a little money and give a small present. 

Ways to say thank you:

* Simply say the words, thank you, on the phone or in person

* Send an e-mail

* Send an ecard

* Send a text/sms message

* Send a brief note by post

* Give (or send) a small gift

The most important thing is that you do it so don’t let the method get in the way.

Of course it is always nice to thank people in a timely way and it is never too late.  Do you know the expression, “better late than never”?  If you are thinking about someone who helped you with your business and you wish you would have thanked them for it, do it now. 

When you thank people you are showing your gratitude.  This is an indirect bonus for you because feeling grateful feels good.  Saying thank you acknowledges the person you thank, benefits your business, and is rewarding for you personally.

It may be difficult to measure exactly how saying thank you affects your business and I promise you, it does make a difference.  The results may not be immediate and remember don’t expect anything.  Just trust that ‘what comes around goes around’ and what you give out comes back to you in some way.    

Saying thank you is a habit and simply requires you to notice, and then acknowledge, the nice things people do for you and your business.  Who can you thank today? 

© Stephanie Ward

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.