This book isn’t about how to get more LIKE hits on your Facebook page.

In Rohit Bhargava’s latest book, LIKEONOMICS: The Unexpected Truth Behind Earning Trust, Influencing Behavior and Inspiring Action, he explains why some people and companies are more believable than others and why likeability is the real secret to being more trusted, getting more customers, making more money and perhaps even changing your life. Likeonomics is a term explaining the new ‘affinity’ economy where the most likeable people, ideas and organizations are the ones we believe in buy from and get inspired by.

Likeonomics uses a TRUST formula (Truth, Relevance, Unselfishness, Simplicity, and Timing) to empower relationships. Being more believable, says the author is the real secret to standing out whether you are trying to grow a business or find your next job.

The book is based on 5 insights into communications that have been extensively reported, analyzed and explored in best sellers and academic research reports alike and are fundamentally shifting our understanding of how people choose to believe or reject ideas and messages.

1. Trust – Being likeable because you’re truthful and honest builds relationships.

2. Relevance – This happens when you “combine a meaningful point of view” within: the right context for it to really matter”. And relevance is always changing, so the challenge is getting people to do something and act quickly when they’re inspired.

3. Unselfishness – People tend to like people who operate on a level that is unselfish and not self-seeking.

4. Simplicity – Often come as a result of reduction, where you take away the things that don’t really matter and distil the essence of what you do.

5. Timing – Even the best ideas can fall prey to bad timing.

But can reading a book help one become likable? It can’t hurt and, certainly, Likeonomics can only help especially in building a coaching practice from the inside out.