One of problems that I've seen with Internet business is isolation it can create. Of course, some people may see this as a positive. In fact, I've even read articles that claim that one of biggest advantages of running a business over Net is fact that you don't have to deal with anyone face-to-face. These articles make it sound like personal communication is something to be avoided or feared.All I have to say to this is "Nuts." EVERY BUSINESS, whether it is a roadside apple stand or an Internet Solutions Center run from a cave in Tibet, can benefit from simple human contact and communication. In my opinion, one of biggest ways you can benefit from "the human touch" is when you begin to market yourself.
Now, when I say, "market yourself," I mean just that; I don't mean marketing your business, your product, or your opportunity. I mean marketing YOU.
Think about it: What do successful Internet businesses have that losers don't? In many cases, answer is simple: a person behind business who has a reputation for being a trusted expert.
Someone who knows what they are talking about, and is seen as trustworthy, has a definite edge over a nameless, faceless person lurking behind a business front. People want to deal with PEOPLE, not with corporations, and definitely not with just a web site.
So, how do you create kind of image that will make customers feel comfortable and secure dealing with you? I've found that there are many different ways of doing this, but here are three tried-and-true techniques:
1) Share your expertise: You can help build a reputation by simply offering your knowledge to others. If you have a lot of experience on Internet, share your stories. If you have knowledge of marketing, teach people how to be better marketers. How? Well, you can offer this information on your web site. Or, you could go onto discussion boards and share your knowledge with other participants. You could even write an article sharing your experiences and opinions!