Trust is important; more than ever before in today’s world, customers are choosy and prefer businesses that are reliable, honest, and share their values. One of the most powerful means to build brand trust is through a well-crafted PR strategy. Being sincere in communication is important for IMEQ COMMUNICATIONS, a company that is famous for its creative PR strategies. Below are five genuine PR strategies that IMEQ COMMUNICATIONS can implement to build brand trust and long-term credibility.
1. Share Real Stories and Customer Testimonials
When it comes to building trust, there is nothing better than telling real stories of real people. A good way of doing this is through the use of customer testimonials. By sharing genuine customer stories of how they’ve benefited from using the services of IMEQ COMMUNICATIONS, the company will see that it is loyal to its customers and they can trust that the company takes their needs seriously.
It could be a short text piece, a social media shoutout, or even a video interview with a client or customer. Telling clients the problems they’re experiencing and how IMEQ COMMUNICATIONS helped them solve them makes the brand more relatable and human. The message isn’t just about how well they did it, but also about how they solved real-world problems.
Tip: Be sure to check with your customers first before posting their story and to describe it as truthfully as possible… authenticity is key.
2. Promote Ethical Practices and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
The world today is a place where a consumer doesn’t just care about the products/services he buys; he also wants to know how the brands he/she supports are doing towards the betterment of the world. Corporate social responsibility is an excellent way that can show his concern for the social, environmental, and ethical issues that are related to his business.
Whether that means encouraging sustainability, supporting local business, or exposing the details of how the company operates in terms of how it is run—showing these things up front in PR campaigns will go a long way toward creating trust. When consumers know a brand will do something to improve the world, they’re more likely to feel connected to the brand.
Tip: Be sure your CSR efforts are genuine and not an afterthought. Consumers can spot ‘greenwashing’ a mile away, so be upfront about what you’re doing.
3. Engage in Open and Transparent Communication
Transparency is the foundation of trust. If you want your customers to know you’re willing to share your honesty and flaws with them and will not hide under layers of flawless marketing messages, then you’ll need to deal with these issues head-on.
Being honest with what went wrong and how the company is working on rectifying it lets people know that a company is responsible. Whether it’s a customer issue or an issue related to public relations, the way a brand responds when something goes wrong shows credibility. Brands that are clear in their approach in these situations tend to come out on top because consumers know that they can trust brands that are honest with them.
Tip: Never use jargon or evasive language. Be direct, honest, and timely with everyone you talk to to establish credibility.
4. Position Your Brand as an Industry Expert
Trust is also built on expertise. Consumers are more likely to trust a brand that knows what it’s talking about. Brands can build on that reputation by positioning themselves as a thought leader in the public relations and communications industry.
PR campaigns that use industry research, include expert commentary, or take part in relevant debates aid in building authority. Brands that share enlightening knowledge also develop trust with their customers by maintaining competence and leadership in their field.
Tip: Make sure the content you share is considered, well-researched, and of real value. Thought leadership is more about knowing things and having real insight, not self-promotion.
5. Build Meaningful Influencer Partnerships
Influencer marketing can be incredibly successful when done right. But it’s imperative that these partnerships also feel authentic. Brands can work with influencers whose values align with them. Instead of trying to reach out to one-time influencers, the goal should be to get to know influencers over time to create a long-term relationship.
When influencers passionately advocate for a product or service that they believe in and value, their audience is more likely to listen and engage with them. As such, it’s important these partnerships do not feel forced or transactional in nature; instead, they should feel like a natural fit, as opposed to a need or transactional commitment.
Tip: Only partner with influencers who are really aligned with your brand’s mission. Involvement builds trust and leads to more loyal customers.
Conclusion
Trust in a brand is a long-term process that requires being consistent and truthful. For IMEQ COMMUNICATIONS, when creating its PR campaigns, staying true to who it is is one of the key factors that will help build long-term relationships with customers. Through social media, brands can share real stories, reinforce ethical practices, stay open to communication, present their knowledge, and work with influencers who align well with their values.
Because trust is built on action rather than words, through being aligned to values and carrying out genuine PR activities, IMEQ COMMUNICATIONS can help you build a solid brand and foster deeper connection with your audience.
