Are You a Trust Agent

June 24, 2009 · Comments

Are You A Trust Agent

Want to know about our book, Trust Agents? My co-author, Julien Smith, and I want to know if you are a trust agent. What defines a trust agent? Here are the six main secrets of being a trust agent. Do any of these sound like you?

Make Your Own Game

You can do what’s come before or you can take a unique swing at the world. If you’re Hugh McGuire, you’re working on Book Oven, a whole new way to look at books and reading. You’re someone like Perez Hilton, who took on People magazine and won, as far as we’re concerned.

Are you making your own game?

One of Us

Maybe you’re the person in your industry who’s come to the larger online conversation, like Leslie Carothers is to the home industry. Perhaps you’re the next Matt Cutts, who represents Google to lots of us. He’s more Google than Sergey or Larry, because he’s here. He’s one of us.

Are you one of us?

The Archimedes Effect

Understanding leverage is what separates the hobbyists from the professionals. Do you understand how to take what you’re doing in one instance and extend it out into something bigger or better elsewhere? This is what brought Madonna from just another singer into being a worldwide brand. Leverage is behind all the most powerful people in the world, but it all starts somewhere. Gary Vaynerchuk leveraged his wine store into his video project and took that into his media project and his book deal. Gary bleeds leverage.

Do you understand the Archimedes Effect?

Agent Zero

Connecting and networking and building relationships is what moves you from an individual contributor to an interdependent kingmaker. Learning how to be a core element of several networks is where we think a trust agent works best. Take Robert Scoble. He went from being a guy talking about Microsoft to a guy on a mission to be moved by what he saw around him. Robert connects with people all over, and finds himself at the core of many important networks.

Are you Agent Zero to several networks?

Human Artist

There’s a world of difference between knowing how to build relationships with people and coming off as “that guy.” You know who we mean: that person who shows up with a bullhorn to promote her projects, to blurt about her interests, and then to leave before you get a chance to say anything about you. A human artist is what we call the people who interact well in this new world, and who know how to build nurturing relationships. People like Liz Strauss and Terry Starbucker are human artists.

How do you relate to others?

Build Armies

Working solo is easy. Do you share what you know to promote larger interactions? Can you create resources to help you and then thread your efforts into theirs? Building an army, especially a loosely-joined and flexible group of people from many disciplines, is the key to being an advanced trust agent. People like Danny Brown, who started a social good movement know the value of armies. Ze Frank turned entertainment into a massively multiplayer online experience, one that has yet to be replicated successfully. The implications to business are obvious.

Are you ready to build armies?

If You Answered Yes to Any of the Above

You are definitely in the mindset of trust agents. Your examples might be different. You might not do as much of one of the six secrets as others (I’m still not very good with leverage, for instance). But at your core, you’ve caught on that these new online tools require a different type of person, and that not just anyone can get the most from the experience. You, however, are in the perfect position to be a trust agent.

If you are a trust agent, Julien and I want to meet you over the coming months. We’re traveling the US (and sometimes abroad), and we look forward to connecting with as many of you as we can. Why? Because that’s what we do.

I’m excited you’re part of the experience. We’ll appreciate your help, your input, your support, and your own experiences as part of the project. It’s how we do things. Thanks in advance. You’ve already made this all very much worth it.

If you haven’t joined the Trust Agents Community, swing by. And if you want to buy a copy of Trust Agents, you can get it here.

Thanks!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Tagged as: , , , , ,

ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Thesis Theme for WordPress

Thesis WordPress theme

Thesis is the search engine optimized WordPress theme of choice for serious online publishers. If you’re a blogger who doesn’t understand a lot of PHP, Thesis will give a ton of functionality without having to alter any code. For the advanced, Thesis has incredible customization possibilities via Thesis hooks.

With so many design options, you can use the template over and over and never have it look like the same site. The theme is robust and flexible enough not only to accommodate a site like ChrisBrogan.com, but also to enable the site to run far more efficiently than it ever has before.

  • As always Chris, you are right on the money. This post reinforces the "relationship priority" in any business. Thanks for the great insight.
  • Chris, I've gotta say that I look forward to hearing what you've got to say each morning. Your posts (and I have no intention of blowing sunshine in your face) have a way of stoking my fire each day, so I thank you for that. As someone who's just getting back into the game, I am busting my hump and *think* that I've got a solid base in at least a few areas that you've covered here and strive to strengthen that each day. Hoping to learn a lot, do right by my clients and contribute something of value. And I'm *really* looking forward to reading the book. Good morning!
  • That's the whole goal, getting you moving. I already know what I know. I share because I'm building an army of you. : )
  • lesleylambert
    The new way around business is engagement, interaction and sharing. I believe I am a Trust Agent....would love to meet you soon!
  • Thanks for a great post, Chris! You're right on the money, again. It's difficult to write a brief comment here because each of the secrets is equally important in my book. As a relatively new blogger, I've seen the importance of connecting and I'm learning to make it a priority for me.

    Fortunately, I've built upon what I've done before since I've been writing. Now, I feel like I have at least a modicum of success to leverage. Gives me hope for the projects on which I'm working and for the future.

    Thanks again,
    Alan
  • "As a relatively new blogger, I've seen the importance of connecting...."

    Blogging is a social activity. Got to visit the comments sections of other bloggers.
  • JamieLee
    Like startabuzz, I don't want to be blowing any sunshine where it shouldn't be, but I have to echo her gratitude for the thoughts and ideas you share.
    I am unapologetically excited about what I'm reading here because it is helping me to define something I've been doing (and aspiring to do) for a while, but was unable to name. Everything I've read about pirates and trust agents makes me say, "Oh! Of course." ... but in a way that is completely enlightening. ;)

    I know I'm dating myself, but scenes from that oldie-but-goodie "Working Girl" keep popping into my head. It's been a while since I've seen that "classic," but I have a sense that some the trust agent elements come into play as Real Person Melanie Griffith works insights (gleaned from careful listening) and relationships into an introduction that is ultimately a win for all parties involved (except, of course, for evil Sigourney Weaver - the fully-fledged antithesis of Griffith's authentic personality).

    Looking forward to meeting you at tonight's event.
  • Well if I'm not quite there yet, I've certainly got my sights set on it :).

    You sure know how to rally the troops. Nearly every post I read of yours makes me excited to get back to work on all of the above.
  • Hi Chris,

    I just saw @seerysm's post on Facebook about your work with Julien Smith on Trust Agents and came over to see what you had cooking.

    I enjoyed your post and how you've defined trust agents and just wanted to share my literal reaction to 'trust agent' before I read your description.

    To me building trust is about saying what you mean and doing what you say. Whether you are online or not doesn't change that but it sure does change the size of your bullhorn.

    Because we're all human there are times we fail to act in a trustworthy way. For example, as parents we find ourselves questioning our own actions when we realize we're telling our kids to do something rather than showing them with our own behavior.

    When we do things in a manner consistent with trustworthy behavior and then leverage that with communication tools like blogs or Twitter, we create entirely new fields of influence and interaction. So, yeah I know I'm preaching to the choir. :-) Just wanted to get in on what you had started here. Looking forward to the book.

    Julian
    http://www.google.com/profiles/JulianSeeryGude
  • I love your perspective there. I always like your point of view, Julian, and I'm glad you shared it here. Very different and yet it angles nicely with ours.
  • Very insightful and thought-provoking piece, Chris. Thanks so much. If this is anything like what the book has to say, sign me up! I'm a trust agent in a couple of areas, much more so than the others, so it looks like I've got some work to do. Part of the fun is learning from others, so thanks again for sharing your knowledge. I'd like to meet you if you come to Florida.
  • I'll be in Florida a few times in the coming months. Orlando next, at IzeaFest. See you there?
  • Excellent post Chris. I'm finding many more folks who fit this description, as I'm sure you are too. The trick is for these folks to find their voice inside orgs and help teach & raise awareness of why relationships are important in place of traditional practices.

    Let me know if you want to stop in Minneapolis/St. Paul during the book tour. We'll be happy to host you both and meet with the local social media community here.

    Kind Regards,
    Rick
  • Stay tuned, Rick. We came up with the perfect Trust Agents way to do it. : )
  • I believe people buy people; before they buy your product. Our income is a bi-product of that. I thought this was a great read and spot one Chris, however you already know that so I'm not saying anything out of left field here. Well done! I think I cross two of these descriptions,so it is best to ask someone who sees me differently then I see myself for verification. Look forward to the book guys. I am sure it will be a great read!
    Chanty
  • Well said, Chanty. I agree with the premise. : )
  • This is a thought provoking post, Chris. I think that Trust Agents have a Vision and act consistently on that vision with integrity and passion. For them, action is everything and self description or self applause are wasted efforts. Trust Agents don't need bullhorns - their armies do that for them.

    Thanks for the insight, I'm looking forward to reading your book!
  • Hey Chris, the book sounds very good. I like the idea behind it and I'm sure the writing is awesome. If you're ever in Dallas, it'd be fun to meet you and talk more about Trust Agents. I'd also love to interview you for The Social Nerdia Show! sometime. Best of luck with the book!
  • I'm looking forward to this book. I need to incorporate these ideas into what I'm doing with my blog. I'm also terrible at leveraging my base that I already have. I guess that's why I'll buy this book.

    Do you do advance review copies for bloggers who love your message?
  • Great post here.

    I'm just pissed because I have to wait 'til August 24th to get the book!

    Since your doing some traveling... if you feel like going way out of your way then make a visit to the great state of Maine. I'll buy you some lobster.
  • You know I'm from Maine, right Nate?

    Born in Waterville, raised in Augusta, lived in Bangor and Pittsfield, too. : )
  • No way I had absolutely no idea! I live in Winthrop that is so funny. I live 10 minutes from where you grew up and had no clue!
  • I think I aspire to be a trust agent, as I wasn't able to give a resounding 'YES!' to any of the secrets except maybe Human Artist.

    I might add that the the trick is to pick a few of these strengths and ride the hell out of them, rather than necessarily be good at all six. At least in the immediate.
  • Jesse
    Are you kidding me? Now retailers are going to start calling their managers 'Trust Agents'. What comedy!
  • "It takes all kind of people to make a menagerie." Can't remember who said it (it may even have been my old grandad!) but it kinda makes sense more and more as I get older.

    Everyone has strengths, either as a given or ones they stumble onto by mistake. The trick is in recognizing that something inherently different is about to happen, or has already happened.

    Some great examples here (and I say that modestly from your kind mention of me, Chris - I'm a voice, the 12for12k'ers are the speechmakers).

    Speaking of which, would you like to wear a nice shiny 12for12k avatar for 24 hours on Monday? Big video streaming and tweetathon event - all hands welcome :-)
  • If you plan to make it to Atlanta, be sure to let me know. We might be able to get you an audience in addition to the Atlanta Social Media Club including from the group I organize (http://atlantawebentrepreneurs.org) and maybe more.
  • Atlanta would be a great stop. Stay tuned to the Facebook group. We've got a plan there. : )
  • Look forward to it. Just give me some advance notice. ;-)
  • Trust agents, the top currency in the social media world, trust agents small and big.
  • <3's

    Awesome. As always.
  • I'm still not clear on exactly what a "Trust Agent" is, but I'm sure I'm one of them.

    I get to know a lot of people.. I get to put my personal seal of approval on both parties that I introduce to each other IRL, because I've gotten to know each one of them and feel that the two of them knowing each other or at least recognizing each other in a crowd at a party would be beneficial to all three of us... In life, not just in business.

    That's why I'm a "Trust Agent". People rely on my assessments to make valuable connections with other people.
  • I ALWAYS learn something from your posts. Thanks!
  • Great post! (my favorite so far)

    I consider myself a trust agent, defined by you as "people who use the web in a very human way to build influence, reputation, awareness, and who can translate that into some kind of business value."

    I have been pushing the social media effort at VeriSign Inc. for almost a year now - trying to establish our brand presence on social media platforms like Twitter.

    I build this presence by listening (with the help of TweetBeeps) and responding to everything VeriSign-related. I do marketing, sales, customer support, evangelism, customer outreach, partnering, and PR.

    I am not a VeriSign bullhorn; I prefer to be seen as Allen Kelly, an online VeriSign dude that you can talk to (or at) about VeriSign and online security in general. If you want to complain, I am all ears. If you want support, I will expedite it. If you want info/data/stats, I will research it.

    As a trust agent, you can count on me to provide a genuine (human) response to the best of my availability.

    Coincidentally, VeriSign's message is "Bringing TRUST to the Internet."

    My goal is to do just that.
  • Very cool, actually. I think it's really cool to try and be the human face of a company who embodies trust.
  • Chris, I have been a long time networker but only recent blogger. You are on my blog roll. In every presentation I have given on the subject of social media mentioned your site as one of the required visits to begin to understand the dynamics of where social media is going.

    Thanks for your authenticity (which you didn't mention here). I hope to be a trust agent and have set my bar high to work towards it. I have searched out Social Media Academy as one place to learn and be joined by like minded people all over the country to move strategically in the right direction. My most enjoyable moments have been working on projects with people in US Canada and France.

    I hope in your travels you come to Madison WI. I would love to meet you in person.

    Wendy
  • Madison. Now that's not *as* likely as Milwaukie, but then, what do I know? You might prove me wrong in a week when we set up our schedule.
  • Chris, as always an inspiring post that makes you think about your self. Am I a trust agent or that guy/gal? I would like to think that I am a trust agent but know it is a process you build upon with every interaction. As a small company the way to keep afloat is to build solid relationships with people by sharing knowledge but also listening to them very closely.

    I recently had a great friend visit and we sat outside for hours talking about just on how we relate to people through social media, resources around us to reach out to and shared so much information. We joked that when you are in a rut and need a pick me up watch a garyvee show and when you need that inspiration, go to chris brogan.

    Thanks so much all that you do and canot wait to read the book. Any chance you will be coming to Vegas?

    Lvadgal/Suzanne Vara
  • Good information. Thank you!
    “ADV.” Think REALTOR ® Think Ben! Houston, TX www.har.com/benhuynh
    281 561 5386 Champions R.E. “Open Doors, Closing Deals” Referral is appreciated.
  • Exactly. That's one of the list of things that is difficult to do when under time constraints, especially since a meaningful comment of substance is required, but something that is essential. It is also rewarding and fun. Like anything else, to be consistent it must be worked into a daily schedule.
  • Hey Chris, Thanks for the kind words ....!

    Hugh.
  • Can't wait for the book Chris.
blog comments powered by Disqus

Previous post:

Next post: