How to Build ‘Know, Like & Trust’ Online (and Why That’s What Actually Sells)

Let’s bust a myth real quick:

“People don’t buy from businesses just because they have the lowest price. People buy from businesses they know, like, and trust.”

It’s called the Know–Like–Trust factor — and it’s the real secret to turning followers into buyers.

Especially here in Chilliwack, people want to support locals they feel connected to. You’re not just a business — you’re a person in their community. That’s your superpower.

So how do you build “Know–Like–Trust”?

Let’s break it down:

🧠 KNOW: Help people discover you

You can’t sell to someone who doesn’t know you exist.
The “know” phase is all about visibility.

Ways to build it:

• Show up consistently on social media (even once or twice a week!)

• Use local hashtags (like #chilliwackbusiness or #shoplocalchilliwack)

• Tag your location in posts and stories

• Collaborate with other local businesses

• Show your face — people remember people!

Your goal here is just to get on their radar.

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💛 LIKE: Help people connect with you

Now that they know you exist, they’re watching. Liking. Maybe lurking.
This is where you help them get to know the human behind the business.

Ways to build it:

• Tell little stories — how you got started, what your process looks like, what a day in your life is like

• Be yourself in your captions (write like you talk!)

• Share your values or what makes your business different

• Use video — especially Reels or talking to camera. It builds trust fast

Don’t be afraid to let your personality show. That’s what people actually connect with.

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✅ TRUST: Help people feel confident buying from you

Once they like you, they’re almost there — but trust is what makes them pull the trigger.

Ways to build it:

• Share testimonials or reviews

• Repost customer shoutouts or UGC (user-generated content)

• Explain your process or what to expect from working with you

• Show consistent quality in your work

• Answer FAQs (in stories, posts, or captions)

Trust is built when people see that you’re legit — and that others have had a great experience with you.

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Reminder: You don’t need a big following to build Know–Like–Trust.

You just need to show up in a way that’s:

• Consistent

• Genuine

• Helpful

That’s how you turn random scrollers into loyal fans. And fans into customers.

A few post ideas to build your K–L–T this week:

• Post a photo of you and share a little about why you started your business

• Answer a common question your customers ask

• Share a customer review or a happy client shoutout

• Film a 10-second Reel introducing yourself or showing your process

• Ask your audience something simple like “How did you hear about us?” or “What do you look for when you shop local?”

Coming Up Next:

In the next post, we’ll talk about what to post when you have no idea what to say — including simple storytelling tips and content prompts to keep things easy and human.

People don’t connect with businesses.
They connect with people.
And when they know you, like you, and trust you? They buy from you.

Branding Basics for Your Local Business

Branding Basics for Your Local Business: What is a brand? Do you need a logo? Can you use Canva?

Let’s talk branding — a word that gets thrown around a lot, often with expensive price tags and confusing advice.

But here’s the truth: your small business already has a brand — even if you haven’t “built” one yet.

Your brand is how people experience your business. It’s the feeling someone gets when they walk through your doors, scroll your feed, get a DM from you, or open your email. It’s the impression you leave behind — and the reason people remember you (or don’t).

And nope, it’s not just about having a fancy logo.

So… what is a brand?

Think of your brand like your business’s personality. It’s made up of:

• Your tone of voice (Are you funny, warm, professional, casual?)

• Your visual style (Colors, fonts, logo, photography style)

• Your values (What matters to you? What do you stand for?)

• The experience customers have with you (How do they feel when they interact with you?)

It’s not something you slap together for your Instagram bio.
It’s something people feel when they interact with you over time.

Do you need a logo?

Yes... but not the most expensive one in town.

Your logo is one part of your brand — like a handshake. It helps people recognize you and feel a sense of consistency. But here’s the good news:

• If you’re just starting out: A clean, simple logo made in Canva is 100% okay.

• If you’ve been growing and want to level up: A professionally designed logo can be worth the investment — especially if it comes with brand guidelines (colors, fonts, etc.) to keep your look consistent.

But don’t get stuck in logo land. A fancy design won’t fix a confusing message or inconsistent customer experience.

Can you use Canva?

Absolutely. We love Canva around here.

Canva is a fantastic tool for small businesses — especially when used with a few branding basics in mind. Here’s how to keep it looking pro:

• Pick 2-3 brand colors and stick to them

• Choose 1-2 fonts and use them consistently

• Use your logo (or business name) on your graphics

• Create templates so all your posts/stories look cohesive

Your goal isn’t to look like a big chain — it’s to look like you every time you show up.

Real talk: consistency beats perfection.

Your brand doesn’t need to win awards. It just needs to be recognizable and reliable.

If someone saw your Instagram post, then walked past your sandwich board, then visited your website — would it all feel like the same business? That’s the magic of branding.

Quick branding wins you can do this week:

• Choose your brand colors and stick to them

• Update your social bios with a consistent tone and message

• Create a simple logo in Canva if you don’t have one yet

• Make a few Canva templates you can reuse

• Think about how you want your business to feel and try to reflect that in your content

Coming Up Next:

In our next post, we’ll help you figure out who you’re talking to. Because the better you understand your ideal customer, the easier it is to create content that connects — and converts.

You don’t need a perfect brand to get started.
You just need to start showing up in a way that feels true to your business.

We’re here to help you keep it simple, consistent, and local.