Open your life up for anyone to see?

Scott Ames · 07-21-2009, 12:16 PM

A popular method of gaining trust is marketers showing pictures of children and family, telling stories about vacations, posting videos of family things, etc.
Then you have other marketers who never show their face, not a single picture, let alone any detail on their location or family life.

I can see both sides. It's really fun for readers to get to know you and your family. I'm sure it improves sales.

On the other hand I'm not sure everyone that reads about your family life has your best interest at heart. Competition and wackos come to mind.

Most marketers are savvy enough to use a postal location as their address rather than using their home address. The last thing you need is an irate customer knocking on your door.

Once I got a letter at home from someone in prison asking for help and advise. That shook me up a bit. That was years ago and certainly changed my outlook. Of course they went on to say they "didn't do what they were accused of and are really a nice person"

Michael Motley · 07-21-2009, 12:27 PM

Business and personal matters do not mix. In my opinion, business is business, personal is personal, and never the twain shall meet. There's nothing wrong with maybe mentioning wife and kids for the purpose of appearing more approachable, but you aren't trying to make BFF's here. You want to be trusted, but you also a person with your own privacy. Mentioning family is one thing, full on videos is something I personally wouldnt do. Too many wierdos surfing the net.

Michael Motley · 07-21-2009, 12:31 PM

^^ true. if you really need to be a 'family man'

Dana_W · 07-21-2009, 12:42 PM

I have my picture out there, but I'm creeped out by the idea of putting pictures of my kids on the internet. And I don't think it is necessary for sales. If I am going to trust someone as a marketing expert, i want to know what they look like, to know they're a real person - but I really don't care what their five year old looks like and it doesn't make me trust them any more or less to see pictures of their family. What makes me trust them is their reputation, what people say about them, and also what they say in their emails and sales letters and interviews.

MizzCindy · 07-21-2009, 01:26 PM

I am a very private person. I will not post pics or videos of my family or reveal too much personal information. For the most part, I'm cynical when it comes to people. I've seen too many wackos cause problems for people who over-share.

Frankly, I build trust in my niches based on the information I provide and my communication style. I would be very uncomfortable putting my family 'out there'.

Cindy

Ukspinner · 07-21-2009, 01:38 PM

I would always welcome a little openness but I can also understand the need for privacy. I once had a service issue with someone & after not getting anywhere I used the I got scammed option & posted a full account on the net. A couple of months later he came back asking me to remove it.
I wouldn't until the problem was resolved. He did pass the comment that he could always set up under another name & no one would know.

Which is true so under the current system where there is almost no policing of any kind exists we need to rely on everyones good nature & honesty.
This also allows the Scammers to prey on the unwary! But forewarned is forearmed okay?

07-21-2009, 12:16 PM	#1
Scott Ames Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West of Rockies Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 363 Thanked 665 Times in 325 Posts	Open your life up for anyone to see? A popular method of gaining trust is marketers showing pictures of children and family, telling stories about vacations, posting videos of family things, etc. Then you have other marketers who never show their face, not a single picture, let alone any detail on their location or family life. I can see both sides. It's really fun for readers to get to know you and your family. I'm sure it improves sales. On the other hand I'm not sure everyone that reads about your family life has your best interest at heart. Competition and wackos come to mind. Most marketers are savvy enough to use a postal location as their address rather than using their home address. The last thing you need is an irate customer knocking on your door. Once I got a letter at home from someone in prison asking for help and advise. That shook me up a bit. That was years ago and certainly changed my outlook. Of course they went on to say they "didn't do what they were accused of and are really a nice person"
	Action is the foundational key to all success. - Pablo Picasso

07-21-2009, 12:27 PM	#2
Michael Motley HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: U.S. Posts: 385 Thanks: 31 Thanked 256 Times in 182 Posts Social Networking	Re: Open your life up for anyone to see? Business and personal matters do not mix. In my opinion, business is business, personal is personal, and never the twain shall meet. There's nothing wrong with maybe mentioning wife and kids for the purpose of appearing more approachable, but you aren't trying to make BFF's here. You want to be trusted, but you also a person with your own privacy. Mentioning family is one thing, full on videos is something I personally wouldnt do. Too many wierdos surfing the net.

07-21-2009, 12:31 PM	#3
Michael Motley HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: U.S. Posts: 385 Thanks: 31 Thanked 256 Times in 182 Posts Social Networking	Re: Open your life up for anyone to see? ^^ true. if you really need to be a 'family man'

07-21-2009, 12:42 PM	#4
Dana_W Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florida, USA. Posts: 2,643 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 507 Thanked 549 Times in 219 Posts Social Networking	Re: Open your life up for anyone to see? I have my picture out there, but I'm creeped out by the idea of putting pictures of my kids on the internet. And I don't think it is necessary for sales. If I am going to trust someone as a marketing expert, i want to know what they look like, to know they're a real person - but I really don't care what their five year old looks like and it doesn't make me trust them any more or less to see pictures of their family. What makes me trust them is their reputation, what people say about them, and also what they say in their emails and sales letters and interviews.
	Want to learn how to write a press release? I'll show you how, for free!

07-21-2009, 01:26 PM	#5
MizzCindy Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 501 Thanks: 173 Thanked 54 Times in 34 Posts	Re: Open your life up for anyone to see? I am a very private person. I will not post pics or videos of my family or reveal too much personal information. For the most part, I'm cynical when it comes to people. I've seen too many wackos cause problems for people who over-share. Frankly, I build trust in my niches based on the information I provide and my communication style. I would be very uncomfortable putting my family 'out there'. Cindy

07-21-2009, 01:38 PM	#6
Ukspinner Marketingmethodsthatwork War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lincolnshire UK Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Social Networking	Re: Open your life up for anyone to see? I would always welcome a little openness but I can also understand the need for privacy. I once had a service issue with someone & after not getting anywhere I used the I got scammed option & posted a full account on the net. A couple of months later he came back asking me to remove it. I wouldn't until the problem was resolved. He did pass the comment that he could always set up under another name & no one would know. Which is true so under the current system where there is almost no policing of any kind exists we need to rely on everyones good nature & honesty. This also allows the Scammers to prey on the unwary! But forewarned is forearmed okay?
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