Building Trust Online: Tips for developing relationships with people you’ve never met
At the end of the day, all we need is someone who will be there for us, no matter what.
Trust is the foundation of any relationship, whether it’s personal or professional. When you meet someone in person, you can usually tell pretty quickly whether or not you can trust them.
But what about when you meet someone online? You can’t always judge a book by its cover, and the same goes for people. Just because someone has a great online profile doesn’t mean they’re a great person. So how can you build trust with someone you’ve never met?
Here are a few tips:
1. Be honest and transparent
When you’re communicating with someone online, be honest about who you are, what you’re looking for, and what your intentions are. Don’t try to hide your true self behind a false persona. If you’re not being honest from the start, the other person will likely see through it eventually and lose trust in you.
“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”
— Stephen R. Covey
2. Be clear and concise
When you’re communicating online, make sure your messages are clear and concise. Ambiguous or confused messages can create mistrust. If you’re not sure what the other person is trying to say, ask for clarification.
3. Don’t make promises you can’t keep
If you commit to doing something, make sure you follow through. If you don’t, the other person will start to question your reliability and trustworthiness.
“The great thing about making a promise is that it reminder you that the future is still in your hands.”
— Unknown
