[tentblogger-vimeo 16535551]
As I hastily share in the above video you are just as important as the content that you create and publish. If your community or readers can’t trust you then it doesn’t really matter how awesome your content and blog posts may be!
I think that’s why video posts are so critical (and helpful) of establishing that rapport and trust with your readers as well as going above and beyond in providing value for all of them.
What are you doing to constantly establish trust among your readers, both new and old? How can you take it to the next level?
*BONUS*
My wife is brilliant and has reminded me a few things that have helped me tremendously as I now think about these things all the time:
- The way you talk can impact your audience’s perception and trust.
- The images that you share, especially of yourself, can make or break you, especially on your ‘About’ page.
- The clothes that you wear in your video as well as the “cleanliness” of your appearance (and hair) can impact elements of trust.
- The environments in which you might be found in your pictures or videos.
I had never really thought about that before!
[This is part of the Developing Great Blog Content Series.]
I think it depends on the nature of your blog. Video might work well for tentblogger but not so on a tech how-to focused blog.
totally disagree. two examples come to mind…
This guy KILLS it in terms of being personal and providing amazing value: Soldier Knows Best!
and, Tinkernut!
http://tinkernut.tumblr.com/post/1004201752/boost-your-wireless-using-an-old-router
Those guys are amazing. again, strongly disagree.
That’s an awesome blog. Thanks for the link.
But I think every blog can (or should) use video is like having a hammer and seeing nails everywhere. Video is just another tool. Use it as need be but don’t feel that you must. Not having video does not mean that your blog will lack any of the things you listed.
that’s true khurt, definitely. but if had the opportunity to take it to the next level and close the gap, why not, right?
great thoughts. thanks for the convo!
Know I’m late to the party, but I just saw this.
Disclaimer: I have said hammer in the form of a video marketing company, so I see a need for video everywhere.
That said, I also see the other side of the argument. I once asked Gary Vaynerchuck how important he thought video was for startups. The guy basically took his parent’s mom and pop store to a $60,000,000 company in a few years almost completely on the back of internet video. His answer: “I don’t think it’s important at all. It’s just another tool in the bag.” Ironically, I couldn’t have asked for a better answer.
John, what would you call one of your websites that drives tons of traffic, but no conversions? Same thing you call a video that drives tons of viewers but no conversions, “A Loss.” If a tool works well for the job at hand you use it like crazy, and good video works remarkably well for a whole lot of jobs.
I do say that if you don’t have at least one targeted customer testimonial video, you’re doing it wrong (they’re just too ridiculously powerful), but that could be a flip camera. Quality is just a comment on your brand. What your customers say about you is your brand.
Video has some advantages, it’s the last place you can make a hard sell without being a jerk. It’s the only place you can have one of your customers ask for the sale for you. You can even have your customers do the hard sell for you. Videos never get tired. Videos never have a bad day. I used to say that videos were the best thing short of physically traveling to the viewer. Now I realize they’re often better than being there.
As you can tell, I’m a little passionate about this. Didn’t mean to rant this long.
i’m not so sure you need to convert anything to call it a “loss” bro.
or, … if that’s confusing (or if I said it wrong)…
a “loss” does not have to mean that one didn’t have any conversions.
ya, i think actually video lends itself more to tech how to focused blogs. I like to be able to see how you are doing it. Reading it seems to lose some of the content.
And soldier knows best is a great example of that
soldier is awesome.
I’ve been giving this some thought & think I need to invest in some professional headshots just to give a more professional look.
it does pay to have some good shots.
Word! I didn’t watch the video before when I read the post on my phone. The idea of trust is HUGE in EVERYTHING we do, every relationship we have, life in general. It has to apply to our business relationships as well…including our blogging. I agree 100%…it can’t be over emphasized.
Do you think I might have waxed passionately about that? Sorry for the rant. ;-\
BTW…I have posted a couple more video posts and am beginning to enjoy it and get comfortable even more with it. If you take a look, let me know what you think. Always open to input.
sweet!
my wife would chastise you by saying you shouldn’t vlog and drive!
I don’t have hair but I know better than to have a comb over!
hah!
Guess I need to invest in a webcam and mic, huh?
or a mac
I’m with you Kyle
haha
#WIN
OK so this is completely random but…
Having a family blog for several years now, we occasionally get random comments such as this one because people don’t know where else to post their comment comment. Do you have any thoughts about a general “wall-like” spot within blogs to increase community and allow people to post random comments like this one? We tried a guest book but that seemed to confuse people. Thanks!
BTW, here is my random comment that I don’t know where to put: “Hey, I noticed that your Twitter/Feedburner counts jumped from like 700 to 1600 almost overnight. Nice going!”
that’s a good question. some people have used some place to put their community thoughts together….. i’ll brainstorm on this a bit on how we might do that here on tentblogger…
I totally agree with these points which is why I try to always wear clothes in my videos.
One other thought on this.
I think there’s a tension to manage between worrying about your audience’s perception and being truly authentic.
I thought about buying a bunch of western-cut plaid shirts to wear when recording video blogs to try and appear more tech-geek-hip, but that’s not who I am. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t pull it off.
Who know’s though, maybe it’s what my blog needs.
… experiment, right?
i’m glad….
I’m a little shy when it comes to be behind the camera
yeah right!
totally agree with all those things sue reminded you of.
Being people who make quick assumptions all those factors go into what people think about you and can translate onto your content…like it or not.
definitely. an unfortunate consequence of being human.
Thanks for the great tips!
I think its time for me to record another video blog post…
Me too.
yes. let me know when it drops!
do it! let me know when it drops.!
It dropped a few hours ago.
I will invest in a newer camera. This was done with an older flipcam early this morning.
http://dewittrobinson.com/keep-striving/
love this! i’m looking for a new camera too… if you find a good one i’d love your recommendation!
One thing I appreciate is that you don’t have to have all the great lighting and the perfect setting to create an effective video blog post. I see the “how to do video ” posts and all the equipment that needs to be purchased to have a good looking video blog post. That can be a barrier.
Though I don’t oppose excellence, it’s refreshing to see you walk around the house, sitting at a kitchen table with Elmo in the background (not part of your plan, of course), or just being in the basement. No “studio” video blog setting but the content is consistently solid.
I think this creates a level of trust that communicates someone who is down to earth. Even though you have been blogging for years and know “what’s up”, you’re choosing to lay low and start at the ground level. I love that.
greg,
LOVE these ideas… i hope everyone reads this comment.
… i have to figure out how to “promote” a comment… … …
so that’s what you where doing upstairs..
yes.
Trust is where I think true influence resides. There are many sites I might pop into now and then for a specific article or resource but those who I follow regularly are those who I trust. People who come across authentic, servant hearted (caring about their community), knowledgeable and transparent.
You can quickly tell the difference between sites and blogs that are just pumping out content to convert into dollars versus those who are really focusing on the community and value provided to the community first.
It’s goes back to intent and motives. Truth shines through and if someone is in the game for reasons that don’t match who they say they are… we’ll spot it right away and trust will not be present.
i think you’re right. it’s fascinating to see how many people believe that their readers are idiots… not the case!
John, you’re absolutely right about video posts. They definitely build credibility. I’ve never done one though. Do you have any tips on production for that kind of thing?
hmmm……….. honestly, it’s low budget for me. good lighting and i use my macbook’s facetime camera… that’s it!
Your wife is right… the environments you are pictured in and what you “look” like in videos says a lot. If you were doing the above video from a room filled with beer cans and smoke we probably wouldn’t take you as seriously. Here you are in a wel-lit kitchen which says to me, maybe you just got done having lunch with a friend and decided to make a quick video. Thanks for the walking tour of his house by the way
You have thought about this before… I remember posts on some of your blogs about people getting fired because of facebook. They got fired because of some picture or status update or whatever that caused their employer to loose trust in them.
haha! this is jared’s house.!