Raising Your Credibility in Business

In today’s ever growing competitive marketplace, business owners (especially small ones) need to do whatever it takes to grow their credibility with customers and clients alike.  This involves standing out from your competitors, having integrity and being upfront with your clientele.  One of the best attributes a business owner can have is credibility.  “Customers, vendors and even potential partners may choose to work with a company if they believe it is credible and trustworthy.”  Credibility is an intangible yet essential ingredient in making a successful go of your venture.  In business, your target market must believe that you are able to deliver on your promises and do the things you’ve said you’ve planned to do.  While there is no scientific way to measure credibility or to assure that others believe in you, here are some simple steps to building credibility in business.

First off, grow your social media presence especially on Twitter.  As I’ve referenced numerous times it’s an $8 billion company and one of the fastest sources of real-time information flow out there.  Social networking is about growing relationships so if you want to look like an important and credible business try to grow your number of followers on Twitter and tweet out significant information to your followers that show you are knowledgeable about your field.

Next, improve your SEO.  Search engine optimization is critical to being known as a leader in the marketplace.  If you want to be relevant, make it easy for people to find you on the Internet.  If your business website isn’t popping up on the first page of a Google search, you won’t seem as important to customers and clients and may be easily passed over.  This destroys your credibility.

Ask people to review your company on LinkedIn.  If you have other big name companies vouching for you, your credibility can only grow.  Have them review what you offer and how you do it better than your competitors.  Surprisingly, not many companies have reviews on their LinkedIn pages.  If you do, this will make you look more professional and credible.  Having the backing of other high profile companies is key.

Make sure your website is sleek, professional and modern.  Make sure you have a strong “about” section and bios of your employees.  Consider putting up video testimonials from employees, clients and customers alike.  You might want to put up links to any press you’ve received or articles in which you’ve been quoted along with industry awards you’ve won.  Every achievement you can highlight on your website adds to your credibility.

Try blogging.  Whether you write it yourself or outsource it, it’s important to give your customers and clients information that is of interest to them.  It’s not just about writing about what your company does or can do for the wider population but about increasing awareness of your brand and creating a dialogue flow and conversation.  This too helps increase the credibility of your business.  People will want to read your blog as a source of information on your industry.  A blog is a great place to showcase your knowledge about what is going on with the broader marketplace.

You might also consider being a guest contributor to other industry-wide publications.  If your blog has a strong following, that shows people are interested in what you have to say.  Start off by even trying to be quoted in an article and then reach out to publications and see if they’ll be willing to publish a piece you have written about your industry.  This can only add to your credibility as an industry leader.

Start a newsletter that you can send out to a wide array of clients, customers, investors and industry experts.  People may like what they read and post links of those newsletters to their own sites.  The more information you can give to your customer and client base the better.  Maybe as that grows, you might also consider writing a book at some point down the road.  Show people that you know what you are talking about and that you are indeed a credible source of information for your field.

Consider holding seminars and conferences.  Becoming a public speaker about your industry will indeed add to your credibility.  If people are willing to listen to what you have to say, this breeds trust among your consumers.  Think about sitting on a panel or being a moderator of one. Be visible.  Make yourself well-known in your field and your business can only benefit.

Think about creating a podcast or try to get on local radio.  If you have a podcast, bring on credible guests and take calls.  Answering peoples’ questions with conviction shows that you are knowledgeable and adds to your credibility in your filed of interest.

Get involved with your community.  Try volunteering at local trade shows or conferences.  You might want to go into urban areas and teach business skills to bright up and coming locals.  Think about creating the volunteer event yourself not just getting involved in others.  This shows a sense of motivation and that you care about your field and want to help it grow and pass on your knowledge to others.

Lastly, try submitting yourself to competitions and earn awards.  If you can achieve that, your credibility will surely grow.  These feats will show your client and customer base that you are an industry leader and that your company receives honors in what it offers.

As I’ve discussed today, credibility is key in growing your business and earning respect among your customers, peers and investors.  If you try some of the tips above, you just might find your credibility skyrocketing to new heights.

Here are some articles you might want to check out about increasing your credibility in business:

“13 Ways to Intensify Your Business Credibility”: http://www.thewritemarket.com/dotson/index.php?dotson=respecttitle=13%20ways%20to%20Intensify%20Your%20Business%20Credibility

“Build Credibility As You Build Your Business”: http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2013/03/26/build-credibility-as-you-build-your-business/

“5 Tips on How to Make Your Business More Credible”: http://pamlawhorne.com/5-tips-on-how-to-make-your-business-more-credibile/

“How to Gain Credibility for Your Business”: http://ultimatebookcoach.com/how-to-gain-credibility-for-your-business/

Until next time…