What’s the Cost of Adding Value?
“Giving value,” “leading with value,” “providing value,” and “adding value” are all terms familiar to attraction marketers and those interested in attraction marketing. They refer to ways to attract prospects and to build relationships.
But what exactly is “value” and how do you know if you’re giving it or getting it? And, maybe more important, what’s the cost of adding value?
Last post, I gave an example of how one forum post could provide tremendous value.
Let’s take a deeper look at what value is in attraction marketing in terms of “Content” and “Commerce.” Then, I’ll provide an vivid example of both from some recent interactions I’ve had with Raymond Fong and Ferny Ceballos of SEO Networker.
Keep It Real: Your Credibility & Ways to Improve It
The first key to Attraction Marketing is establishing yourself as a believable source of information. Whether your intention is to sell your own products, refer people to affiliate products, or sign up in your MLM downline, your credibility is critical. It’s your calling card.
As an Attraction Marketer, you want people to see you as a leader, someone who can solve their problems. If people don’t think you’re believable, they won’t become or stay attracted to you. If they’re not attracted to you, they won’t trust you. And if they don’t trust you, they won’t do business with you.
Just how believable are you? And how do you improve what Ann Sieg calls in "The Attraction Marketer’s Manifesto," your "Credibility Ranking"?
Where to Start
Start by asking yourself "What do I bring to the table that is new and unique?" There are lots of marketers on the Web competing for prospects and leads, why should they go to you? Or, in business terms, What’s your value proposition?
Once you’ve figured that out, let people know, tell your story in the profiles you post on the web. And always keep in mind: be yourself. If you’re a single mom who’s balancing a job, family, and a part-time business, tell people that. If you’re a business person who’s leveraging your offline skills to develop an online business, tell people that.
The point is to keep it real. Your authenticity is what will initially attract people to you — either because they are just like you or because they can relate to you.
Your "Credibility Ranking" basically refers to how believable you are in the eyes of potential prospects. I’m not sure it can be measured objectively. It’s more like a quality that’s very obvious when it’s there and very apparent when it’s not.
Ways to Build Credibility
To build your Credibility Ranking, you’ll need to put yourself in places on the web that people can easily find you, be attracted to who you are, and view you as someone who knows what they’re talking about. Visibility builds credibility.
Here are a few free ways you can use to improve your credibility and attract potential prospects to you. You don’t even need to have your own website.
- Article Marketing: Write articles on subjects you’re passionate and knowledgeable about, include your author’s bio with your own link, and post them on a high-traffic article distributor like EzineArticles. Ezine publishers can pick up your articles and publish them in their ezines. Great exposure.
- Forum Posting: Contribute comments or questions to online forums. Be helpful or insightful. Focus on adding value to the conversation rather than selling yourself. People will be attracted to you (or not) based on how you conduct yourself. Remember: keep it real.
- Squidoo Lenses: Create lenses on Squidoo.com focusing on topics in your area of interest. This popular site offers very easy-to-follow online tools that anyone — non-technical or otherwise — can use to make their own webpages. Increases your visibility.
What It Takes
Building your Credibility Ranking will take more than just a compelling story and some well-placed web profiles. More than anything, it’ll take time. Cultivating the trust of your readers and prospects is an ongoing process and crucial to your success. Truth is, you’re never really done creating it. There will always be more to go
Find out more on establishing and improving your "Credibility Ranking," check out Ann Sieg’s free ebook "The Attraction Marketer’s Manifesto."
Wishing You the Best,
Ben Mapp
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