How to Build Credibility Online
Creating a presence online is quite easily done. But building credibility is another matter altogether.
In today’s world it is possible to start a website with one click of your mouse, create a LinkedIn profile and post daily about whatever it is you are working on, however merely having a presence online doesn’t earn you trust. Credibility is earned over time and it often comes down to whether or not you catch someone’s eye as they’re passing by your online profile.
How your potential clients or customers view you in the business world, even before they have met or spoken to you, depends heavily on your online credibility–whether you’re an entrepreneur, a founder, a consultant or a business owner.
And credibility is not something only reserved for experts or well-known individuals, it is also possible for starters to build credibility in the online space.
Why Credibility Matters More Than Visibility
The goal of many people today is only getting recognized. Chasing for more followers, more views, more impressions, the focus is on just being seen. Getting seen leads them to you, no doubt, but being believable means they actually want to stay and know more about you.
Think about how you yourself make decisions. Before hiring someone, investing in a company, buying a consultation. You look for clues that tell you the person knows their subject well. Their skills, experience, and reviews of their work will help influence your decision.
It’s the same situation when people visit your business on the web. You getting seen only opens the door but believing in what you deliver makes them want to enter and make a commitment.
People Trust Proof More Than Promises
Anyone can say that they’re an expert. What makes it worth having people believe them comes with a proof, some which includes:
- Testimonials from clients.
- Professional interviews.
- Media attention (articles in publications or on media TV).
- Awards and recognition from an industry.
These proofs offer people the chance to verify information on their own.
Think about it: if you’re showcased on a business media platform like Inside Success TV, not only will you reach a whole new audience, but you’re also being told by a third-party source (ISTV) that your story, knowledge or journey was worth sharing. And that sort of external validation is priceless.
How to Build Credibility Before You’re Well Known
There’s one common misconception about credibility that it seems to come after a win. That isn’t true in most cases. Usually the credibility often comes before you even start winning.
So… share your honest experiences.
What you’ve learned, answers to frequently asked questions, what makes your industry work. Let others read how you think. Eventually, those consistent contributions will begin to influence how others perceive you.
And guess what?
You don’t have to know every single thing.
You can just know what other people don’t – or aren’t willing to share. People trust givers far more than sellers with an ulterior motive.
Use Every Opportunity to Strengthen Your Reputation
Each and every professional opportunity can build more clout for you – as long as you leverage it to your advantage! Some examples of these are:
- Being featured on business news or podcasts.
- Giving a presentation or speech at your industry conference.
- Writing a feature article or other piece of content.
- Appearing as a guest on another blog or podcast.
- Sharing customer success stories.
- Partnering with other established brands or business people and many more.
Each one is another bit of information you can use to back up how credible you are. Instead of viewing these experiences as one-off successes, start thinking of them as valuable assets. They help reinforce your brand and reputation whenever someone happens to stumble upon your business on the internet.
Credibility Is Built One Interaction at a Time
There is never any shortcut to building trust, remember that.
It takes time, action, providing value, and a history of trust to develop. Every content you put out there, every interview you do, every client you advise and a business partnership that goes right builds into an idea of who you are.
The best personal brands are not made through one crazy marketing strategy; instead, the most successful personal brands are made by simply building a reputation as being trust worthy, and once others come to trust you, they will more often remember you long before they forget your latest post on a media platform.
