How to build your online credibility

Credibility is everything when it comes to building an audience. In a world of misinformation credibility is the reason someone might buy your product, or follow you. You are in control of the story you tell about yourself and therefore your credibility is in your hands.

Three layers of credibility

1. Implied Credibility

This is the story you tell about yourself… the credibility you are implying you have. For building online, this comes from:

• Your profile picture
• Bio
• Quality and consistency of content
• Ability to express your thoughts clearly

What do yo see as your personal brand? Who are you and what do you bring to the table? — this is your implied credibility.

2. Perceived credibility

This is the story other people tell about you when you are not in the room. What do credible people say about you and what you bring to the table? This could equate to:

• The number of followers you have on social media
• Having high barrier to entry products (such as writing a book)
• Badges and achievements
• Your level of seniority in an organisation

Part of your perceived credibility comes from your narrative, but it relies on having actions to back up your own…