Put a Name on that About Page
Perhaps one of my biggest pet peeves is when I come across a small agency or company that either completely lacks an “About” page, or if they have one, speaks in vague terms about who is behind the company without naming names.
Why hide it? The lack of identifiable people behind an agency or company instantly makes them less credible in my mind. Are they really a one-person shop (like Social Mallard is) but are going for the “better to look big” approach? Maybe this is a side gig for them, and they don’t want their “real” employers to find out just yet? Perhaps they aren’t particularly confident that their credentials will stand up to prospective customers, so they hide behind elaborate marketing copy? Or maybe they view this project as a slightly shady effort which they don’t want to attach their personal online brands to (“make money online” niche, I’m looking at you)?
Whatever the reason, it leads to questions you simply don’t want prospective customers to have to ponder, and lays a shaky foundation for any future relationship that may develop.
Be up front, show who you are, where you blog, and what you’ve done. If you’re small or just starting out, don’t hide it, turn it into a positive. Providing profiles of the individuals behind your company provides an instant connection to prospective clients, and shows that you are proud of who you are, you believe enough in the company or products to put your name to it, and you trust your visitors to make their own informed judgment as to your qualifications.
So start off on the right foot, and proudly show off who are. Your customers and prospects will appreciate the honesty and trust.
Photo from Mick O Doesn’t Know on Flickr via CC License.
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