Written by Trevor Mauch Any marketing you do creates online demand. How?
Let’s say you send out a postcard or do a cold call. Most people are curious and skeptical when they hear from someone they don’t know.
What do we, as humans, do?
Well, often, people pick up their cell phones and search Google for anything identifiable in the marketing. Your name, the phone number you called from, etc.
What they find online will make or break them working with you.
One lost deal could cost you $10k-$20k or more.
How many leads and deals are you losing because your online credibility and authority aren’t up to snuff? Probably more than you think.
1️⃣ First, you’ll want to make sure your Carrot Authority Hub has the right credibility elements on it.
Your bio on the About Page should be designed to sell YOU.
Here’s a summary of elements to maximize that page:
→ Click here to learn how to create the Ideal “About” Page.
2️⃣ Second, you’ll want to add testimonials, making sure to format them so they’ll help your website sell YOU.
Have you ever bought or not bought a product on Amazon because of 1 single review?
Of course. We all have! Your house buyers and sellers do that too.
→ Click here to learn how to format your testimonials.
3️⃣ Third, if you’re doing offline marketing and you use tracking phone numbers, those could be a leaky bucket for you right now, costing you thousands.
Add all your tracking phone numbers to the bottom of your contact page to start to rank for and control the credibility around your brand.
This way, if people search your phone number, your contact page will come up when your potential leads are researching you.
This alone could save you tens of thousands in lost revenue.
Keep honing it as you go, continually publishing content that amplifies your credibility, adding stronger testimonials and other credibility elements to help you stand out as an expert in your market.
How can I keep improving my website credibility?
Check out this video and blog post to learn 10 more ways to beef up the credibility of your Carrot site:
As you continue to build your online credibility, you’ll want to make sure you add unique content that is localized, credible and personalized to your target market.
→ Click here to learn about writing unique content.
ℹ️ Blog Post: Learn more about building online credibility in this post from the Carrot blog →
How can I build credibility if I’m starting a new business and haven’t done a deal yet?
Building credibility as a new real estate investor without any completed deals can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can employ to build credibility, gather testimonials and establish trust:
- Character Based Traits: Focusing on your positive personal character traits is a good way to start. Ask your existing contacts to write a testimonial about any character trait that your potential clients may be looking for. For example: Honest, thorough, prompt, friendly, knowledgeable, etc.
- Leverage Social Proof: If you have relevant skills (like marketing, negotiation, or finance), ask old co-workers, professional contacts, or friends to provide testimonials about your professionalism and expertise in those areas. Highlighting related experience can enhance your credibility as you expand into a new industry or new business.
- Network with Industry Professionals: Connect with real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and other investors. Attend industry events, seminars, or workshops and build relationships with other attendees and speakers. Participate in local or online real estate investment groups. Offer to help other people with their projects or seek mentorship. Ask for their feedback on your knowledge and approach, and request testimonials based on your interactions.
- Educate and Inform: Start a blog, YouTube channel, or social media presence focused on real estate topics. Share valuable insights, tips, and market trends. Encourage followers to engage with your content, and they may leave positive comments or endorsements.
- Offer Pro Bono Value: Consider providing free consultations or valuable resources in exchange for honest feedback. This can be especially effective if you’re helping someone with their real estate needs.
- Share Your Vision: Create a compelling narrative about your investment philosophy, goals, and the value you plan to bring to your clients. Share this on your website and social media. While it’s not a direct testimonial, it builds a personal brand and invites trust.
By actively engaging with others and showcasing your expertise, you’ll start to build a positive reputation in the real estate community, which can eventually lead to testimonials as you close your first deals.
Note: While sharing stories and testimonials from colleagues and professional contacts can be a great way to boost credibility on your website, you should take caution not to solicit fake reviews from people who don’t have direct experience with the services or products you provide. This is especially important when dealing with online review sites such as your Google Business Profile or Yelp, as fake or false reviews are prohibited by the FTC.