So you’ve been on social media for a while now. You have a large group of friends that you engage with frequently and enjoy those conversations. But do you have social confidence? Many of us forget that being on social media is different from being successful on social media. To gain true ROI from your time on social media, you need to build social trust. What is it and why is it so important? We invited content conversion strategist Deb Coman to help us understand. Here is a summary of our conversation.
Invited: I don’t know
Subject: Building social trust on Twitter
Format: Eight questions to the guests. All are welcome to share.
Question 1: What is social trust?
When you engage with other people’s content on social media, you gain social trust. Think of it as currency that you can use to further grow your brand. The more you focus on building relationships with others and genuinely engaging with their content, the more social trust you will gain.
A1 Social trust is a currency we earn by building relationships through engaging in content.
We cultivate it faster and more effectively when we shift our focus from posting our own content to engaging with other people’s content in a meaningful way.#TwitterSmarter
— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) September 1, 2022
like Kristine emphasis, knowledge, and trust are the three pillars of building a brand on social media. When people who know and like you start talking about you because you add value to them, then you gain social trust.
A1.
It comes down to my three favorite words:
Know, like, believe
Social trust is when you get to the last of these three: people who know and like you also trust that you know what you’re talking about, and they can rely on that information.
❤️#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/T664LiTDJA— Christine Gritmon ❤️ (@cgritmon) September 1, 2022
Question 2: Why is it important to build trust on Twitter?
It’s important because people buy from and refer people they trust. That’s why every time you open Twitter, you have a chance to gain people’s trust.
A2 With over 237 million daily active users, our ideal customers, referral sources and collaborative partners are on Twitter.
They need to trust us before they buy, refer or partner.
Every time we open the platform, we have an opportunity to gain trust.#TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/4la6KYR7E0
— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) September 1, 2022
like Richard added, without social trust, you will only add to the white noise that is already prevalent on Twitter.
A2: Without trust and respect, you’re just making noise that doesn’t help you or those who follow you. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/d0RLwBIhT8
— Richard Dedor ☕️ (@RichardDedor) September 1, 2022
Question 3: What are some common misconceptions about trusting people on Twitter?
Most people naturally think that someone with a high number of followers has a lot of confidence. Not true. Neither is the idea that trust is about how much time you spend on social media or how many new articles you share each week. It’s about the quality of your commitments – not the quantity.
A3 Some common misconceptions about people’s trust on Twitter are that trust is relative to:
✅ Number of followers
✅ Time on the platform
✅ Amount of original content sharedThe best strategy on Twitter is to engage! #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/Jp6ol15yQz
— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) September 1, 2022
Our friends from GiveWP shared some of the most common misconceptions about trust people have on Twitter. The biggest one is also the most prevalent among those new to social media: they think they can build trust overnight. It won’t happen. It’s also a bad idea to ignore negative comments or engagement thinking they will automatically disappear. Another common misconception is that trust is a one-way street. Its not. If you want your audience to trust you, you have to be confident too.
A3) From a branding perspective, I think there is a misconception that:
💚 You can build confidence overnight
💚 Ignoring the negative feeling is okay
💚 Trust goes one way (brand to customer) #TwitterSmarter— GiveWP 🌻 (@GiveWP) September 1, 2022
Question 4: What are some ways to build trust on Twitter?
Our guest shared some great ways to prepare before posting. Use the TRUST model: Consider your current Twitter feed to find relevant ideas and people,
Reflect on what you have read and collect your thoughts, Unleash your creative element, make a plan to make connections and take action and start engaging with people.
A4 Build trust on Twitter before posting with TRUST:
T – Consider supply to find significance
R – Reflect to collect thoughts
U – Unleash your creativity and be yourself
S – Set connection target
T – Take action and commit#TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/9rMdZbMWwD— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) September 1, 2022
Madalyn shared her best ways to build trust: engage often and engage sincerely.
A4. If you want to build trust, regularly share high-quality, valuable content that your community will love. Also, take the time to engage in real conversations with others on the platform. Let them get to know you better. #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar Digital Marketing Since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) September 1, 2022
Q5: What should you avoid doing when trying to build trust on Twitter?
The usual suspects are all on the list of things not to do when trying to build trust. Don’t just post your content, don’t schedule or disappear often, and don’t try to be someone else.
A5 So many pitfalls to avoid when trying to build trust on Twitter. Here are some:
🚫 Only post your own content
🚫 Posting and ghosting
🚫 Inconsistent attendance
🚫 Overautomation
🚫 Don’t share what makes you YOU!#TwitterSmarter— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) September 1, 2022
Another thing to avoid, like Laura pointed out, is to jump into conversations when you have nothing valuable to add. That and being overly self-promoting.
A5: Avoid engaging in conversations when you have nothing of value to add.
Avoid focusing too much on yourself or your products/services.#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/r7TSrKTwTo
— Laura Denny (@ldcreativemedia) September 1, 2022
Q6: Are collaborations and partnerships effective tools for building trust on Twitter?
They sure are! As our guest explained, when you collaborate with others, you share the trust you’ve both built. However, to get the most out of the collaboration, make sure you both share the same values and find something that is mutually beneficial.
A6 Collaborations and partnerships are trust builders!
When you join a trusted person or brand, some of their earned trust is organically transferred to you, as is your earned trust in them.
Make sure:
✅ Alignment
✅ Shared values
✅ Mutual benefit#TwitterSmarter— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) September 1, 2022
like Natalie pointed out, collaboration is also a great way for you to rally your community to support you and the brand you partner with. It actively engages your audience and it helps them like and trust you more.
A6: #collaborations & #strategic #partnership allow you to “collect your #ally!” They provide credibility as well as leverage! #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/uM2IxKW14Z
— Nathalie Gregg #LeadLoudly (@NathalieGregg) September 1, 2022
Question 7: How can you rebuild trust on Twitter after a negative incident?
If there has been any form of conflict, always be willing to listen to what the other person has to say. Ask questions and try to understand their point of view. Don’t react instinctively.
A7 When someone disagrees with my idea or opinion, my hope is to stop and listen, ask more questions, really understand their point of view first, so I can respond rather than react.#TwitterSmarter
— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) August 25, 2022
To begin rebuilding trust, first, admit your mistake and take responsibility for any damage caused. Then, actively try to make changes when communicating with your audience—look for the opportunity to make things right.
A7 Rebuild trust after a negative incident by:
✅ Maintaining responsibility
✅ Acceptance of consequences and impact
✅ Making changes
✅ LOOK for the opportunity to regain trust#TwitterSmarter— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) September 1, 2022
Question 8: Name some brands that do a great job of building social trust.
Our guest called out many familiar names to the #TwitterSmarter community: Julia Bramble, Winnie Sun, Nathalie Gregg, Kate Bour, Madalyn Sklar and Christina Garnett. Each of them is a great example of a brand genuinely engaging with their audience and building lasting relationships – check them out.
A8 These people are the face of their brands and do a great job of building social trust because they engage in a meaningful way and advocate for others:@JuliaBramble@WinnieSun@NathalieGregg @KateBour@MadalynSklar @ThatChristinaG
Let’s make the list everyone!#TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/v8lBvR6cT2
— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) September 1, 2022
Massoma named several corporate brands. Grammarly, ClickUp, and Loom all do a great job of building social trust.
A8. @Grammarly, @clickupAND @tezgjah all do a great job of gaining the trust of their audience by taking a value-first approach. #TwitterSmarter
— Masoma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) September 1, 2022
Well folks, that’s all from me this week. Thanks for reading, and for more great insights from our chat with Deb, check it out this moment on Twitter that Joana put together for us. If you like this review, you’ll love the real-time chat. Join us next Thursday at 1pm ET for #TwitterSmarter. We also have a post-chat on Twitter Spaces at 5pm ET. See you there!
About me, Narmadhaa:
I write all the stuff – marketing stuff to pay the bills; haiku and short stories so I feel healthy. A social media enthusiast, I hang out with the #TwitterSmarter chat crew and am always happy to take writing gigs.
Say hello: Copywriter Opinionated | LinkedIn | I tweet
