Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust

Helpful guide to gaining consumers' trust online

Archimedes, the Greek mathematician and inventor, once said, "With a lever large enough, I can move the world." Today, the internet can be that potent lever "for increasing the power of what you do," according to social media gurus Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. The most effective way to use the web to improve your brand's "influence, reputation and profits" is to become a "trust agent" online. That requires developing strong, sustaining relationships with consumers who believe in you, respect you and see you as a helpful resource, credible expert and honest person. In this illuminating, witty guide, the authors explain who trust agents are, what makes them special and - most important - how you can become one. getAbstract recommends Brogan and Smith's tales of what individual trust agents have been able to accomplish in cyberspace. You'll realize all over again that the internet is a remarkably interactive, powerful medium - a lever indeed capable of helping you move the world.

Very Useful

For the professional (whether they are a marketer or otherwise), and the student (undergraduate or graduate marketing) this book is a very good resource. It provides an in-depth look at some of the things involved in social media marketing and provides actionable information that people can use to harness the power of Web 2.0 in their workplaces.
I particularly enjoyed Chapter 4, the Archimedes Principle. The focus was on, predictably, leverage: getting the most result for the least amount of work. The focus of the bulk of the chapter is on time leverage, but the general principle holds true not only in social media marketing, but in organizational culture as well. As with the other chapters in the book, this one was peppered with useful information and specific websites/tools that one can use to enahnce their lives, work time, etc.
It's easy to see from this book why Chris Brogan has done so well. For anyone who is interested in this sphere, and has a basic working knowledge of Web 2.0, then it's a great resource and really enlightening.

How to become a successful blogger - the easy way

How much time have you spent trying to understand the secret behind successful bloggers? My bet is that quite a lot. Chris Brogan and Julien Smith wrote a very easy to follow "how-to" book. Although it is not a step-by-step instruction book, Trust Agents walks you from finding your niche (Make Your Own Game chapter), to becoming "One of Us", to understanding how to leverage the human networks in a digital space, and how to build people's trust in the process.

It turns out that achieving success in the Blogosphere is not as complicated as it might sound. And anybody - regardless of previous experience and knowledge - can achieve success. All that is required is passion, understanding of how online communities work, how to build their trust, and how to lead them. Easy.

Read this to find out how to be successful in social networking

Some people understand that they should listen, be helpful, and be valuable to others online. Too many people jump onto Twitter and other social networking sites to sell to everyone. This book discusses how to be human and interesting online (and why).

Ideally you should read this book before you join social networking sites, but it also has many takeaways for people who are already online and for those who are social networking professionals.

Should You Trust the Author

I cowrote this book with Julien Smith, so should you trust me? Seems like a great way to start a discussion about a book dealing with trust and how the online world has changed the equation. We've moved from asking our neighbors to believing advertising to asking people we've never met what they think about an issue.

How does this work? And if you represent a business, how can you be sure that YOU are trusted? What makes some people influential in this new online space, and how come some big names with established brands and credibility can't yet crack the code of business-meets-online-relationships?

Our book is not about social media. It's about business and how the web changed everything. Learn about how Frank Eliason changed customer service at Comcast. We think he's started something that will become the de facto standard of customer service.

Find out why we call Perez Hilton the patron saint of changing the game.

I think it's a decent book. It's not exactly scholarly. It's not a step-by-step manual, although there are tons and tons of actionable moves to take.

I'm proud of my work on it. I hope you like it, too.

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