Trust is something that is crucial if you want to build a blog that has influence. As a result I think it’s something that we as bloggers should be working hard to build but also be willing to invest a little into learning about.
As a result I want to recommend Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust to you. It’s a book that has just been released by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith and today it has skyrocketed up the Amazon best seller list (as I write this it is sitting at #34).
Why has it sold so many copies so quickly? The answer is simple – Chris Brogan is one of the most Trusted guys in social media that I know. He’s worked his butt off over the last couple of years building a presence (and more importantly building relationships) around the web. He doesn’t just build connections with the ‘A-list’ but with as many people as he can.
He injects himself into his blogging and other social media activities and as a result he’s widely regarded as a trusted source of information – the perfect guy to co-author this book.
I’ve started reading it and it’s great – please grab a copy today – Amazon currently have it at 34% off.
Interesting concept. Building trust with your readers is very important. I may have to check this one out.
Looks like a great book. I think that you have to have trust in YOURSELF when you blog. You need to think positive in order to succeed.
Being a trust agent is very important as I have experienced in the last few months. Unless people trust they dont spend the time on your blog or website….Lemme grab my copy, thanks
Yes, w00t for Trustbait! Buying that.
Thank your post!
I am doing the same: Trust in myself.
Building trust is one of the most difficult and most important parts of being online, blogger or not. The internet is shady enough as it is, and getting people to value your knowledge, opinion, and personal brand is important for survival.
Well they are good role models of how you should deal with this kind of business. They did it perfectly that even they ask something, you wouldn’t mind the price cause the value of what they are giving surpasses the amount. I’ve been visiting blogs this day and I can’t deny how influential these two people are. They are all over the blogsphere. Indeed they have established their reputation through something that is difficult to gain,, trust.
Added the book to my Amazon shopping list. Will probably pick it up with my next order. :-)
Nice thing to hear in the morning from problogger to a problogger
Trust is Important, in every Field.
It’s very important that your readers trust you if you plan on selling or promoting anything on your blog. My blog is gaining the reputation of being painfully honest in it’s posts. Sometimes I think I’m being too honest. I’ll often throw a movie or website review in with my blog posts and if the movie is bad, I’ll often use certain expletives to describe it. I can’t help it, I’m just honest that way and I feel very strongly about things. It often presents in my writing. My point is that your readers will know you are not just trying to sell them something when you give a good review. The more they trust you, the better the chance that they will purchase a product you recommend.
I agree that trust is very important. I will check the book out. Thanks for the tip!
Trust is something you build over time. It is no reward to be trusted. An added responsibility, though.
It is just the sheen on years of commitment and morale with which one is rewarded in running a blog. Taken with the right head, trust could be a augmentor of success.
I would give this book a try. Thanks for the recommendation.
It’s a SETH GODIN recommended book! That said and I already got a copy :)
Really, trust is everything
For bloggers, building trust is very important. This provides them with loyal readers.
Another great ebook are reviewed by another great blogger.
Darren trust is the first thing to win the people.
In blogging this is the basic thing.If blogger can build the trust on the readers then blog can go on heights.
ChrisBrogan is smart guy with social media background he spends lot time to build the trust in social media field.
I’ll suggest to all the bloggers to read his book to learn trust building skills to improve their brand value and presence in the social network.
being a trust agent is not an easy task, they really need more extra effort in order to be successful with their works.This is much more important with the bloggers, that they really need loyal readers that is why it is important to build trust.
Looking forward to read the book. Not only is it important for bloggers but it is important for everyone in general. Found another great article tweeted by Chris about “Trust” – http://www.thinkingoutloud.com/eg_ventures/2009/07/this-year-its-all-about-trust.html
great thanks and creative post
http://teratips.com
Hi
i love the idea of trust in business without it i doubt many businesses would be making the profits that they do. I get many contracts from offline customers and they all come via word of mouth which is fantastic.
kind regards
sam
X
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m definitely going to look into getting this book. I’ve already purchased both of your books and if you recommend this one, then I will definitely take your advice and seal the deal on another one. Thanks!
I was fortunate enough to share the stage with Chris on a panel “Your Media Your Way” exploring applications and discovery of online video back in 2007. Not knowing Chris at that point in time, I was immediately struck by the ease with which he interacted with the audience and was able to convey his ideas in an extremely humerous, conversational and engaging fashion.
Based on that one interaction with Chris, I immediately purchased his book after seeing it available yesterday, and am eagerly waiting to be able to learn more of his perspective on social media and its applications in building your identity on the web.
Great article – trust is important in any relationship and one of the anchors for creating long term connections.
Trust Agent, i like is a great book from the review. I will check it at amazon.
Great blog.
You had me at Chris Brogan. . .
Trust is everything. It goes a long way to improve alot of stuff.
If you need ot buy a book to learn how to develop a type of trust relationship with your readers then maybe you should just give up blogging.
Trust is important in every segment of life whether this one is of trade or relationship.
This one is a good investment of time so if through this book we able to learn and earn trust in short duration than this will be really good worth to buy.
I think building trust with other bloggers in the social media scene is the number 1 ways to keep your blog alive. I think people need to consider that first and not fuss about why their blog is not making enough money. You got to work hard on the basics first, and things will flow from there. :)
Short and sweet…
Thank goodness Brogan tell all the herd to kiss a rattlesnake.
I am a trusting person and whenever I purchase something or establish a new friendship, the key, looking back at it, has always been based on trust. You can trust someone the moment you meet them and usually, in more cases than not, your instincts will tell you whether you should trust them or not. The book sounds like a good read.
Very interesting book, as for me.
Great article – thanks! You can learn more about web design and the pros and cons of different Websites through our website.
thanks for sharing, building trust is indeed useful, but seems it is not easy to gain reputation online.
Based on recommendations from Problogger and Seth Godin I bought and red the book.
I’m not saying it’s bad or not worth the money, but it’s not a masterpiece neither and if I was the publisher (eh, eh) I wouldn’t accept the book as it is now. It’s like a handful of blog posts thrown together in the late hours. Writing a good book is different than being a good blogger.
The storyline wanders from life design (Ferriss stuff) to technology but it doesn’t dig deep on anything. Moreover, you quickly learn that famous persons recommending the book are writer’s friends.
However, I learned a bit more from the book so it wasn’t waste of money and I still can recommend it as easy reading to someone not at all familiar with the issue.
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I’m reading #TrustAgents this week. Really enjoying it.
I love the fact that it’s all about people. Treating people well, caring for others, helping others, supporting others and building up your community/network. That’s definitely a mindset that is not pervasive in the corporate world and it can be hard to bring online. A lot of people are out for their own good. Let’s hope Trust Agents helps make a dent and that people really begin to think about how business is better done by treating people like people and not just an “opportunity”.
Hey,
Just another fan of the book- I thought it was such an interesting perspective into the world of social media. You should all check out Matt Kain’s article http://www.thesearchagents.com/2009/09/trust-agents-book-review/ – he provide some very humorous insight as well.
Cheers,
Camille
Hi, loved the post but quick question…I had a little difficulty loading your page – I use firefox, do you think this was the problem…Bookmarked :-)
Nice work, your awsome content have forced me to to leave some positive feedback
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work Look forward to reading more from you in the future.