Photo by Jonas Jacobsson on Unsplash
In today’s world, there are a plethora of stories coming from all parts of the world, including local.
These stories are published with varying degrees of credibility because readers base the credibility of a story on who wrote it.
According to Wikipedia, credibility is the degree to which the writer is believed to be providing reliable information.
A true story is usually more trustworthy than one that has been fabricated.
Why does credibility matter?
By definition, a person cannot be considered credible if their credibility is not based on some good or true information.
Here are a few reasons why credibility matters to us as human beings.
We consider credibility as the measure of trustworthiness, as well as the power of influence.
Credibility stems from the assumption that “good faith” is the norm among people.
If someone has credibility, we’ll trust what they have to say.
We believe that they have credibility in their profession. For example, if I trust a doctor, I will follow his advice or instruction.
We can only have the best ideas and the best intentions if people like us have credibility. If you don’t have credibility, no one will take you seriously.
Earning credibility with your audience
You want to earn credibility with your audience.
You also want to be a credible source. This means you can’t make up lies or purposely misrepresent facts.
If your audience associates your credibility with your lies, they will not accept your stories or view your website. They’ll believe what’s true.
The two ways to improve your credibility are by using authority and being trustworthy.
Authority
According to trustpenguin.com, authority is “the quality of being capable and trusted to make important decisions and handle important responsibilities.”
A leader with authority is someone accountable, mature, has the experience, and possesses qualities that will benefit others.
Being authoritative in your writing will increase your credibility.
Trustworthiness
When people believe you are trustworthy, you earn trust. This means you aren’t corrupt, reckless, or involved in shady activities.
For example, if you are honest in what you write, your audience will respect and follow you.
They will learn from your mistakes. They will trust you.
People will be more willing to invest in your ideas because you’re trustworthy.
For this reason, you should strive to write with authority, and be trustworthy.
If you haven’t earned the trust of your audience, here are a few ways to earn their trust:
Send them useful information. Offer tips or tips that your audience can apply to their everyday lives.
Be trustworthy. Trustworthy people are honest, dependable, truthful, and principled.
Be honest. People can tell when you are not being honest and can be wary of you.
Avoid opinionated writing. This is a sure-fire way to lose credibility quickly.
Avoid controversial topics. They are sure to create conflict with your audience, and they often end in disagreement.
Some of the other ways you can build your credibility with your audience are:
Use your judgment. Don’t lie. Think about the words you choose and if they are consistent with your character and reputation.
Be consistent. Consistency in your posts shows that you can be trusted and that you’re reliable.
Create articles that have a lot of value. People will read the article over and over again, and it will serve as an example for them.
Involve your audience
Ask for comments, reactions, and likes on your content.
This demonstrates that you care about the success of your audience and that you want to encourage them to comment and engage.
Never publish anything about yourself. This means no testimonials, advertisements, or photos.
Create engaging and informative content. Be active in your posts. Answer questions, and provide actionable advice.
Shamelessly promote your other websites.
Become a role model. Be an example to others in how you conduct your business and run your personal life.
Ask for help. Whenever you can, involve a person who can help. This will encourage others to help you.
Make your life simple. If you want your audience to do something, help them do it.
Shine through your mistakes.
Never exaggerate or make things up.
Always be honest and factual.
If you are trying to build credibility, you must have trust in your audience and in your audience’s ability to assess the validity of your statements.
If you doubt that your audience is capable of determining the truth, and the authenticity of your statements, you will never build your credibility.
If you want to build credibility, be an example. Be honest, trustworthy, trustworthy, and honest.
Be honest
One of the most powerful ways to build credibility is, to be honest. People prefer to hear the truth.
Think about it. If you know something to be the truth, then don’t play games. If you don’t, then don’t lie.
If you know something to be the truth, and your audience knows that you know that the truth is the truth, then they are much more likely to trust you.
One of the most powerful ways to build credibility is, to be honest in your statements and also in your business practices.
If you follow the golden rule, you’ll be perceived as honest by everyone in your audience.
“Your credibility is the cornerstone of your business, so make it a priority to put it at the forefront.”
