Your Costliest Brand-trust Campaign Is FREE!
A while back, I ordered from a company that looked legit—great reviews, a clean website, tons of ads following me around. They had just enough going on to make me trust them. Finally, I bought something.
Then … silence.
No tracking updates. No response to my emails. I even left a polite voice message—nothing. Ghosted by a brand. A few weeks later, my package arrived, but it wasn’t even close to what I ordered. I requested a refund and—surprise!—they ignored me. After a fight with my credit card company, I got my money back. But the damage was done.
Here’s the funny part: that company probably spent thousands trying to convince people like me to trust them. They could’ve saved all that money by simply being trustworthy.
Trust Is a Product
Many brands think trust is something they have to convince people of—so they pour money into ads that say, “We’re trustworthy! Look at our testimonials! Check out our awards!” But real trust isn’t a marketing expense. It’s a reputation expense.
The truth? The most effective trust-building strategy is free. Just be the brand people don’t have to question.
How to Be a Trustworthy Brand
You don’t need a massive budget to build trust. You just need consistent, reliable actions.
1. Tell the Truth—Honesty Beats Spin
People can smell BS. Whether it’s product quality, shipping times, or refunds—just be honest.
- Instead of saying “Fast shipping!” when it takes 10 days, say, “Ships in 10 days, and we’ll keep you updated.”
2. Deliver What You Promise
Nothing kills trust faster than overpromising and underdelivering.
- If you say “100% satisfaction guaranteed,” mean it.
- If you promise hassle-free returns, make them hassle-free.
3. Treat Customer Service Like an Asset
Many brands treat support as a defense mechanism. The best ones use it as a trust-builder.
- A company that quickly replaces a defective product earns lifelong fans.
- A no-hassle refund policy says, “We’re confident in what we sell.”
4. Let Customers Build Trust for You
The best trust campaign? Happy customers Communicreate℠ by telling others about your products and services. No ad can compete with word-of-mouth.
- A coffee shop that serves great coffee doesn’t need billboards saying, “We make great coffee!” People already know.
Trust Pays for Itself
Shady companies spend fortunes trying to appear trustworthy, while great companies save money by simply being trustworthy. The best marketing move you can make? Do what you say you’ll do, treat customers like humans, and fix problems before people have to fight you.
The most expensive brand-trust campaign isn’t the one you run—it’s the one you never ran by ignoring the FREE benefits of integrity. The cost? Lost customers, bad reviews, and a reputation you can’t buy back.
Let’s chat. I’m free.