Trust Agents

I’ve completed my first book of 2010 even thought I started in 2009. 

Trust Agents – Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust was written by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.  Click on the names to follow these trend setters on Twitter as well as on their own personal blogs.

So what is this book about?  

Trust Agents, in my opinion, is the authours attempt to outline how to properly use the Web.  You see, many people think that just by blogging, being on Facebook and tweeting is enough.  The first thing I thought was that I will get on these tools and people will want to know what I know.  They will want to buy what I’m selling.  I’ll be rich in no time flat.  How wrong was I.

Over time I have figured out that it is very important to create something of value and to engage in the various communities.  Trust Agents makes the case for this using examples and the authour’s own personal experiences.

What’s next.

Here’s what I’ve done.  First, I’ve renamed the title and focus of this blog.  “Being helpful” is a simple yet very powerful statement.  It means that I will attempt to be helpful in the blog posts here.

Second, on Twitter I aim to re-tweet (RT) interesting and informative tweets from other people.  I do this because there are other people who have lots to offer.  And I’m smart enough to know that I don’t know everything.

Third, get involved.  Join and attend a MeetUp.  It can be formal or informal.  But engage in and with the community you want to influence.  Whether you are looking for a job, career change or want to sell your wares to.  The technology may have changed but the rules of personal engagement have not.  It is still important to place value on people and to treat them as human beings rather than just faceless consumers.

There will still be posts that I blog about that are personal to me.  I might have another suggestion for the Blue Jays or maybe even a guest post or two.  You’ll also get an update on the books I have completed reading.  And on Twitter, you’ll also come across tweets on articles that I write for other sites.  You may even notice that I also tweet about stuff I like.  In 140 characters one can only be so helpful.  Being human also means having a personality.

As Mike Wilner and the fine folks at Drunk Jays Fans says, 
Reasonable and Rational comments are welcome!

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