[Dale King]

Personalized advertising has made fortunes for many, in all media. Anyone with even a basic concept of marketing knows that.

No, you don't have to plaster your face all over the front page of a newspaper - but it wouldn't hurt.

Associating your face with your business has proven to be very effective. That's why whenever you see infomercials on television, they're not only selling the product or service, they're selling the person behind the product or service as well.

Look at the television commercials of your local car dealerships. They put their faces front and center, because they understand that people buy from people they trust. And the more they see your face, the more they begin to trust you.

It's not about ego. It's about human psychology.

Can you imagine how uncomfortable you would feel, if your next door neighbors wore masks all the time, and you didn't know their names?

Wouldn't that freak you out? Would you trust them? Of course, you wouldn't.

Well the same premise applies in marketing.

You'll sell more, if people trust you.

That's the entire crux of my post.

This is hardly a revelation. This is a basic marketing concept taught in Marketing 101.

Dale King

[buynick]

I completely agree. I even put my name in my business name!

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by buynick

I completely agree. I even put my name in my business name!

If you agree with me, where's your pic?

Dale King

[Nick S]

Depends on your business but for the most part I agree with you.

[ADVERTISE HERE!]

I have never been one to hide my name, location, website, etc.

However, I still wouldn't mind being called a phantom.

Maybe even "THE Phantom."

I know I'D listen to anything someone called "The Phantom" had to say!

[Hooman]

Good idea, Dale, and good point.

I was a phantom, but not any more.

[faint]

Good points you make Dale. I think a lot of people are concerned about ID theft and feel reluctant to post a lot of info about their personal life. such as address, phone.. and such. I myself have never cared about posting information. Most of the time when I put my email up i use (at) instead of @ and (dot) com instead of .com to avoid spam bots. I have a bunch of myspace, facebook and such profiles with my pics and info and I really dont care as I am a very contact/friendly person but as I said.. a lot of people feel safer when they work in a little bit of a discretion.

[ComeGetCash]

Great points Dale!

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by NorKal

Good idea, Dale, and good point.

I was a phantom, but not any more.

Thanks, NorKal! Good for you.

Dale King

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by Nick S

Depends on your business but for the most part I agree with you.

Unless you're a spy or government agent, it really doesn't matter what type of business you're in. Even porn stars put their faces out there for the whole world to see. Look, I personally don't care whether you choose to expose yourself or not. I'm just giving you some advice that will definitely help you make more money - if that's what you want to do. Just don't kid yourself, the "trust" factor is huge on the Internet.

Dale King

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by faint

Good points you make Dale. I think a lot of people are concerned about ID theft and feel reluctant to post a lot of info about their personal life. such as address, phone.. and such. A lot of people feel safer when they work in a little bit of a discretion.

Thanks, faint! Regarding ID theft, I'm not suggesting people publicize their date of birth and social security number or any other type of identifying information. Don't ever do that. All I'm suggesting is expose more of yourself to your potential customers. Let them see that you're a real, live breathing person. Not just some silly avatar and fake screen name.

If you prefer not to publish your real phone number and address, use voicemail and a mailing address from the UPS store. I know of many small businesses that take that approach.

Dale King

[Nick S]