Would You Hand Out a Business Card With a Fake Name?

Back in what seemed like the caveman days of the Internet, people were very reluctant to give out their personal details. Today in the realms of online business, it’s ridiculous not to and in fact, if you don’t, you could be losing business!

In the World Wide Web’s infancy, anonymity was of utmost importance because no one really understood the Internet or its charms. It all seemed too easy for all our identifying information to be ‘out there’ in an unknown location, and frankly, no one even understood the definition of ‘out there’. Fake names, chat names, screen names, nicks ... they were must-haves if you were going to dabble in the online world. Fast forward to 2011 and it’s an entirely different world ‘out there’. We communicate in real time in social media instead of in chat rooms. We upload our credit card details with barely a thought for the security of our identity. We also conduct business online in a way that dictates how much information we reveal and how much we keep close to our chests.

Identity theft is a growing concern, sure, but it’s just as common for your credit card details to be found in your wheelie bin or stored on the hard drive of an on-sold photocopier. Vigilance is required offline just as much as online. But what really matters today in terms of showing who you are is how you portray and project yourself online, for the benefit of your business.

A timeline of identity revelation

A little beyond fake screen names, Internet users started to realise that the World Wide Web was no better or worse than the real world. Gradually, businesses established websites and at first, postal addresses were provided on the Contact page. As time passed, it was considered fair enough to post street addresses. About Us pages used to contain veiled information about the business itself and scant detail about the owners, for fear of losing that all-important anonymity. Eventually, consumers who were visiting these websites demanded to know more about the people behind the businesses and the About Us page became more about the human side. Photographs were added for extra approachability and today, video is the latest element to show business owners in their most revealing light ever.

Why less is not more

Your potential customers demand to know who they’re dealing with when they choose a business. They want to know where you’re based, what you care about, how you’ll serve them and, depending on the product or service, whether your core philosophies match theirs. The more information you make available to your website visitors, the less they have to Google you to learn what they need to know. Plus, when you provide this information yourself, you remain more in control.

Video as the virtual handshake

Providing video of yourself on your website is a simple, effective and meaningful way to introduce yourself to your website visitors, who are also your potential or current customers. Think of it as the difference between a real handshake or handing a brochure through a slot in a wall. Video is transparent, honest and authentic. It assists with Search Engine Optimisation, it demonstrates a willingness to be seen and heard and removes any air of secrecy.

Be the front person for your business with confidence and authenticity. A video of you could be just the edge you need to win a new customer who might otherwise choose your competitor.