Daman Jeet is the Co-founder of FunnelKit, a suite of sales tools that helps 18,000+ businesses streamline their checkout process.
One of the critical challenges aspiring entrepreneurs face is earning the trust of the intended audience.
When you tap into a particular industry, don’t expect people to start considering the products or services you promote immediately.
They don’t know you. So, it’s less likely for them to consider what you offer. They will always prefer their tried-and-tested solutions.
This is one of the reasons why many startups fail to make it to the other side, as they struggle to keep up with the industry giants.
However, there’s a way to turn the odds in your favor and win the hearts of the intended audience. And that is honest marketing.
Transparency breeds trust and helps you establish a strong bond with your target audience. Not only does it help you generate traction when getting started, but it also ensures lasting relationships with your customers.
Here’s why honest marketing is essential for aspiring entrepreneurs:
1. Attract the right audience.
People purchase products or services that align with their needs or interests. They seek solutions that can help them solve their respective problems.
A common mistake entrepreneurs make is that they overpromise. In order to cast a wider net, they claim to offer features or capabilities that their products or services may not have.
Such deceptive tactics may help you get a lot of traction at the start. However, they may lead to trouble in the long run.
As a matter of fact, if you overpromise, you may end up attracting the wrong audience and miss the opportunity to engage the right people.
Your website may start getting a lot of traffic. But what’s the benefit of that if your visitors don’t end up converting?
So, the best course of action here is to be transparent when promoting the solutions you offer to your target audience.
Generating fewer quality leads is better than prospects who don’t end up converting or having customers who are difficult to retain.
2. Build your brand.
Transparent marketing helps you to build a reputable brand and earn the respect of your target audience.
When you are transparent, you proudly showcase your strengths and openly accept your flaws.
You are not pretending or resorting to cheap tactics to amplify your revenue. You say how things are and help your audience explore solutions to their problems.
It’s a people-focused philosophy that fosters empathy and enables you to form a strong connection with your audience.
As a result, people relate to your brand and take pride in representing you. Not only are they more likely to consider the solutions you offer, but they also recommend them to their friends or family.
Transparent marketing shows that you’re true to your word, and that paves the way for you to build authority in your respective industry.
3. Improve over time.
Another benefit of honest marketing that you may want to consider is that it facilitates continuous improvement.
The needs and preferences of people keep changing over time. It calls for you to consistently improve the solutions you offer and be better than you were yesterday.
Since you are honest when promoting your solutions, the only way to keep up with the expectations of your target audience is to become what they seek.
Your honesty pushes you to go the extra mile and give your best. You leverage available resources to their fullest and try to keep up with the changing demands of the intended audience.
Continuous improvement sets you apart from other alternatives in your respective industry and helps you stay a preferred choice for your current and potential customers.
4. Become a Lead Magnet
Just because you’re honest when promoting your solutions doesn’t mean everyone in your industry will choose to do the same.
Your competitors may resort to deceptive tactics when promoting their solutions, and you can’t do anything about it.
Initially, they may get away with it, and it may seem like you’re losing. However, if you are patient, you will see that their success is short-lived.
They may be able to attract more leads than you at the start. However, as time passes and their customers don’t get what they were promised, what do you think they’ll do?
They will start looking for other alternatives in the industry and likely never return to solution providers that lied to them.
This is where you come in. Remember, it was deceptive marketing that led these people to seek other solution providers. So, it’s a no-brainer that they’d prefer an honest brand now.
5. Build lasting relationships.
When you’re honest in promoting the solutions you offer, you not only attract the right audience but also increase your chances of retaining them.
Honesty builds trust and makes it possible for you to form a deep connection with your target audience.
When people see that you don’t lie to them, they will likely stay with you through thick and thin. They won’t be easily swayed by lucrative offers by your competitors.
Not only will they continue using the solutions you offer, but also recommend them to others and help you get more eyeballs.
Final thoughts.
Honest marketing plays a significant role in helping you build trust and cultivate loyalty. It helps you form an unbreakable bond with your target audience and transform your customers into brand ambassadors.
Your honesty helps you generate leads on autopilot and acknowledge high retention. You maintain a positive reputation in your respective industry and consistently build authority over time.
You also increase your chances of succeeding as an aspiring entrepreneur and are able to stand out from other brands in the industry.