Of course you would want to do that. Here's why!
Everyone likes to be stroked. We all enjoy the praises of others and the acknowledgement or validation of our own talents and worth.
Even celebrities gush over fans that sing their praises and idolize their image.
You can use this knowledge to your advantage in the online business world.
Here's how you do it and why it's a good idea.
Whenever you have the chance, leave a kind word of flattery for an author, a business owner, a product creator, a web master, etc. But don't fake it if you really don't mean what you say.
People will appreciate your kind words and they will recognize that you went out of your way to leave a personal message for them even though it was not required or mandated.
Experts that are willing to give good information become trusted authorities.
They are seen as advisers and teachers that can relate to the student.
They aren't after just a sale - they're genuinely interested in the welfare and value that they can give to the student.
I found many of my fly fishing customers coming into the store simply for the latest information on where to go fishing, what flies to use, etc. even though they weren't coming to buy something besides.
All I had to do to make a sale was to recommend a particular product as being "right" or an excellent purchase that would fit the needs of the specific customer.
If I personalized the recommendation, the sale was a snap.
I learned that customers who rely on you for information in a particular niche can be lead by the hand to make purchases that they feel will help them in some way.
The lesson I take from these selling experiences I had when I was considered an expert is this: customers like to be told by an expert what is best for them in their progression in any given niche.
They will buy a steady stream of products that the mentor suggests as long as they trust the mentor and feel that he/she has their best interests in mind.
So many web site owners I visit don't seem to understand this principle.
They toss up a site, fill it with products, and invite prospects to browse, but never take the opportunity to lead them around and very specifically tell them what to buy.
It doesn't matter if your instructions are meant to get a web site registration, get the customer to fill out a survey, or purchase a product.
You should tell them in your narrative copy exactly what you want them to do next.
"Go here," "fill out this online form," "register today for a free prize," "click here to receive a 25% discount," or "purchase this product now," . . . well you get the point.
Lead the customer by the hand around your business and be sure to give him lots of valuable and personal attention in the process.
You will gain a loyal customer, a new friend, and one more source of recurring income.
