By Jenny Thompson, Founder & CEO of SafetyPIN Technologies
Contractors are typically prepared to answer the standard interview questions required to land new business — What do you do? How much do you charge? Do you have proof of insurance? Are you licensed? Can you share a reference list
But what many contractors are not taking into consideration as they work to differentiate themselves in the competitive market is the “Stranger, Danger” concept that triggers uncertainty around safety and privacy, and their personal credibility level as trusted hired help.
Jumio's recent Global Trust and Safety Survey showed that 1 in 5 adult consumers feel unsafe using online sharing services. So how can contractors overcome these concerns and prove that they are indeed solid, trustworthy resources outside of referrals alone?
Nationwide Client Risks Program recently recommended a few tips for your customers to consider when hiring a contractor, including a check in with the Better Business Bureau and local court records for any reported complaints or lawsuits. Companies like Intellius, BeenVerified and Checkr offer an opportunity for you to run a personal background check online and create a report that can offer more visibility into your current public profile.
But why have a pre-run background check? A study from Label Insight showed 27% of consumers abandoned a transaction due to a lack of visible security on the part of the vendor. That’s over a quarter of your potential customers gone before you even had the chance to say hello. That same study showed 94% of consumers say they’re likely to be loyal to a brand that offers complete transparency.
Approved background checks are quickly becoming a must-have prerequisite for any contractor looking to level up their digital presence and build trust with new customers, especially those searching for hired help online.
SafetyPIN goes one step beyond standard online checks in creating a universal trust badge that can be used by contractors as a stamp of approval ahead of time, offering peace of mind for everyday people who are sourcing hired help on the Internet.
As a vendor of goods or services, it’s your responsibility to immediately assure every potential customer that you are not only the best choice but a thoroughly vetted pro who can be trusted in their home and around their family.
The SafetyPIN application process takes only five to seven minutes. You simply fill in your information, answer a few questions, pay the $1 application fee, and hit submit. After you apply, they run a thorough background check, verify your ID and review your answers. (Rest assured, your personal history of private information is never shared).
Not everyone qualifies for a SafetyPIN, so once you’re approved, you can leverage your new badge to elevate your online profile. Thompson recommends that you promote your pin on your website and business card, as well as any business-related profiles listed on online apps for contractor hiring. By sharing your SafetyPIN upfront, you avoid putting your client in the awkward position of having to ask why they should trust you, offering that extra layer of security they’re looking for, ultimately giving you a leg up on competition.
Jenny Thompson is a mission-driven startup executive, author and natural-born marketer who has documented success in building brands from scratch and driving measurable growth to benefit shareholders, employees and customers alike. Today, as Founder of SafetyPIN Technologies, Thompson has developed an innovative background check methodology that offers a universal trust badge for approved applicants, verifying peace of mind for the national sharing economy. Prior to SafetyPIN, Thompson spent more than two decades supporting the Agora Companies, including her role as CEO of NewMarket Health. Thompson is also the creator of the 3-Day Business Cleanse, a novel process that helps companies get “unstuck” using a review, eliminate, and rebuild philosophy.
