Have you ever wanted to make money online, but the thought of selling yourself or your product makes you feel like you need a good, long shower? You don’t have to feel that way. You shouldn’t have to compromise your integrity to make money. Here’s why!
It’s Hip to be Square!
These days, scrolling through social media sites like Instagram is aimed at giving followers glimpses into the perfect lives of its users. But these perfect lives are always too perfect.
Just how many times a year do these people go off to Bali for a vacation, or spend time on a yacht off the Amalfi coast? Their photos are beautiful, and we’re all a tad bit envious, but more often than not, it’s not realistic, or true. We don’t see their bad hair days, trips gone wrong, or fights with friends. We are deliberately shown only the good. Not the bad or the ugly.
But who wants to see curated perfection at all times? That’s no way to sell. Be real. Share your struggles, to the extent you’re comfortable. Maybe you had a tough time in high school, maybe you never graduated. Maybe you have anxiety, or elderly parents to care for. All of that is relatable - it’s true and happens to all of us. Lifting the veil and being honest can build immense amounts of trust and loyalty.
If you’re selling a product, it’s unlikely that the demo or prototype was a complete success. Talk about the trial runs, the bad ideas. That will only endear you to your audience. It’s easier to trust someone when they are transparent.
According to one study , it’s proven that trust generates sales.“Businesses that fail to establish trust — the foundation of any relationship — will lose to businesses who can,” said SurveyMonkey CEO Zander Lurie
On the flip side, a loss of trust can affect a company’s growth and profit . In a bad way.
Once you earn trust, be sure to keep it. It’s not hard to be open, real, and honest.
Everyone Wins
When selling digital goods, it would be so easy to keep all the profits for yourself. After all, you worked hard and finally made it big time! But should you?
Why not donate to a charity close to your heart? Or a Gofundme for a deserving family facing financial hardships?
According to Fortune Magazine, younger buyers, namely, millennials and Gen Z, are more likely to purchase from companies that give to charities. Heck, they’re more likely to work for companies that are involved with or give to charitable organizations. They are also more likely to recommend the company or product to a friend. So much for the selfish millennial stereotype!
Business Insider even put together a list of products for purchase that give back to a worthy cause - Toms immediately comes to mind, as they were one of the first companies to give away a free pair of shoes to people in need, with each purchase. Since 2006, they’ve given away 100 million pairs of shoes, and in 2009 created the Giving Team.
Toms’ customers can feel good that they are helping impoverished communities by doing something as simple as buying a pair of shoes.
Now, companies like Patagonia are committed to donating 1% of their revenue to environmental causes.
Toms never had to resort to skeevy or unethical practices to make money, and you don’t either. You can sell, and feel good about it.
As cliche as it sounds, be yourself and don’t compromise your integrity.
If something makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it.
How many times have you seen flashing, gaudy headlines that tell you you could learn absolutely everything you ever wanted to know about marketing, for the low low price of $1999? How many times has it left you feeling unsettled? Is this the only way to learn how to sell things?
Quite simply - no.
Never resort to any tactics you find uncomfortable, or that aren’t true to you or your personality. The best strategy is to be yourself. You’re the only you there is, after all.
You don’t need to stand in front of a Ferrari and brag about how much money you made, and condescendingly tell people how you did it. Be a friend, be conversational. You’ll get more sincere interaction when people don’t feel like you’re being flashy, and let’s face it, scammy.Once you win your audience’s trust with your originality and integrity, you’ll easily sell, without feeling icky.