4 Ways You’re Destroying Your Credibility and 5 Tips To Avoid It

Credibility is all we have online. This is what sets you apart from everyone in your niche. Think about it… anyone can start a blog now-a-days, right?

Anyone with minimal tech skills can set up a blogspot blog in minutes (although it’s not recommended for business). But, before I get into how you might be destroying your credibility, I’d like to Welcome you to the Trust & Credibility Series.

This is the first of 4 super valuable posts that will surface within the next 2 weeks from well known bloggers. When you’re done reading all four of these awesome posts, you’ll know exactly how to use your blog to build credibility, trust and establish social proof.

I’m excited to start this series with some tips to help you avoid messing up any credibility points you’ve earned so far. Ok.. enough with the chit-chat – On with the post already…

———————————————————————————–

Differentiating yourself is the first thing you need to consider when building your online business blog. Anyone can start participating in the community and become a self proclaimed expert without any “real qualifications” – you know, the type you need in the “real world”. This is why building your online credibility is important.

Unfortunately, in my first 8 months of blogging, I’ve seen people making the same 5 mistakes that is killing their credibility. Here’s what they are:

1. Making False Promises

False promises are by far the fastest way to lose your audiences trust. If you say you’re going to do something, I strongly suggest you follow through on that promise. It could be something as simple as releasing a free report that was announced a couple weeks back; or raising the price on your product when the sale is over.

Or it can be as serious as the way you market your products. If you know your products can’t make someone an “overnight success”, don’t say it – your credibility is worth so much more than a few sales. These simple promises can make or break your credibility, so follow through.

2. Promoting Crappy Products

I see this one a lot. There are literally thousands of products for sale on clickbank, but I’ve learned that only a select few are worth selling as an affiliate. You have to be very careful when promoting anything as an affiliate, not only from clickbank, because if the product sucks, it’s your credibility that’s on the line.

Even if you get sales the first time around, those people will never take you up on any of your recommendations again. You’ll have to find new people to sell every time you want to promote something new, and that’s not the way to do business.

3. Changing Your Opinion Too Often

One of the toughest obstacles to overcome when getting started blogging is not having a “voice”. Finding your voice can be difficult for a lot of people because they don’t know exactly what they stand for. Then they start writing, trying to please everyone, and they end up not connecting with anyone.

There’s nothing wrong with changing your thoughts about a particular topic, but doing so every time someone challenges your views will ruin your credibility.

4. Downplaying Your Accomplishments

I do this. You do this. You’re competitors do this – it’s normal, but it’s not good. You’ll reach high levels of excitement in your business when you do something incredible that you’ve never done before, and then the excitement goes away. Like how I’m in the Top 4 of the Business & Marketing  podcasts in Itunes. I’m still excited about that, but not as excited as the first day.

If I would’ve left the excitement go away completely and not talked about it in my second episode, I probably would’ve started to think it wasn’t as special as I thought it was – and in the end, HURT my credibility in the process by not letting my audience know.

I know you’ve done SOMETHING worth mentioning. Don’t downplay your accomplishments, let them be heard.

1. Link Out To Other Popular Sites

The easiest way to let you audience know that you’re a credible person is by linking out to other credible sites. This let’s them know that you’re into providing GOOD valuable content to them and have their best interest in mind.

There’s an added benefit to this, too. If you want to partner up with a particular blogger, start linking to his/her posts and get on their radar.

2. Create a Well Thought Out “About Me” Page

Let people know who you are and what your blog is all about. Although I still don’t have an about me page (shame on me) I created a sidebar image letting visitors know that this blog is ran by a real person, and not some Mr. X.

Also, you want to have a way your visitors can connect with you. Social media links and contact me pages are also great ways to become easily accessible.

3. Actually Use The Products You Promote

To avoid damaging your credibility, be sure to buy, use and honestly review the products you promote. Remember, your credibility is worth a lot more than a few affiliate sales. Being true to your audience about the stuff your promoting is the best way to get people to trust your recommendations and buy from your affiliate link again.

4. Stand Your Ground

Credibility is all about picking a stand and defending it unless something inside you changes. Don’t be afraid of being ridiculed. Don’t be afraid of disagreeing with people. Don’t be afraid of standing for what you believe is true. You won’t be able to pleased everyone, so there’s no point in trying.

Work on pleasing those who think like you and believe what you believe. The easiest way to do that is to speak your truth. It sounds easier said than done, and that’s because it is. But after you find your voice and speak your truth, you will begin to create true fans.

5. Create a Press Page

I started putting together a press page, titled: Hector Around the Web a couple days ago after seeing Tyone’s page and Chris’ page. This is a great way to let your audience know about the cool things you’ve done, who you’ve collaborated with.

If you’ve ever been interviewed – add it to this page. If you’ve ever done any guest post – add it to this page. If you’ve ever been mentioned in a list post for being super awesome, hell – add it to this page, too. It will only help your credibility.

On To You & Watch Out For Part 2…

Are you guilty of these credibility killers? Have you done everything you could to make sure people know they can trust you? Let me know in the comments section below, right after you share this on twitter & facebook.

The next part of this Trust & Credibility Series will be released on Thursday December 26th. Be sure to follow me on Twitter & Facebook so you can get notified when part 2 is live.

Talk soon…

4 Ways You’re Destroying Your Credibility and 5 Tips To Avoid It