ProBlogger: How to Build Credibility

How do you rate when it comes to credibility? But more importantly,
how do you go about getting credibility if you don't have any or not
much of it? Important question for bloggers - Andrew Rondeau from We
Build Your Blog shares some tips on building credibility as a blogger.

There are some interesting theories around this topic. One such
exponent of a theory is Graham Jones who writes about the credibility
pyramid.

This pyramid is made up of four key elements.

1. Knowledge (10%) - At the bottom of the pyramid is a band of
knowledge. Although this only represents 10% of a credibility score,
it is nevertheless the foundation. If you don't know what you are
talking about, you have no credibility no matter what else you might
bring to the mix.

Focus (15%) - The next level up according to Mr Jones is focus which
constitutes 15% of the total score. Focus describes the process
wherein people do not deviate or go off at tangents. This is when we
come across people who seem to be single minded in their opinions,
approach and knowledge.

This does not mean that you need to bombard other people with huge
amounts of details and information in order to be considered credible.
It is more the clarity and enthusiasm as well as the consistency of
the information that is being presented that allows people to assess
the credibility factor.

In some instances it is even possible that providing far too much
information can undermine the credibility score. Perhaps this is where
the popularity of the 'elevator speech' comes into play. You have two
minutes to present your information. You have to be focused and only
provide the most important points.

3. Enthusiasm (25%) - The next component on this pyramid of
credibility is enthusiasm. This has an allocation of 25% which is
fairly high. We probably call this passion more often than not. We
view enthusiastic people as being far more credible than those who are
not.

Perhaps it is because we feel that if the person can't be enthusiastic
about their own topic then he can't be believing in his own words. Of
course this can be unfair. There are some people who are too shy to
speak up never mind appear enthusiastic.

4. Care and Concern (50%) - Possibly the most surprising component of
credibility is the top part of this pyramid. It shows that 50% of your
credibility is associated with your care and concern. If you show that
you care about your audience you will be able to gather up half of the
score towards a strong credibility rating.

This means that when building up your online credibility you have to
show a huge amount of caring and concern for the interests and
well-being of your audience. No matter what you are trying to do
online, whether build a blog, communicate with readers, sell a product
or even just hold a conversation on a social media platform such as
Twitter or Facebook, if you care for your audience you build
credibility.

It seems that a small percentage of your credibility is knowledge, add
to that focus and enthusiasm and you only have half of what makes up
your credibility. The other half is all about caring and concern for
the other person's well-being.

That could almost sound right.

from: Blog Tips at ProBlogger.