How believable are you?
Notice, please, that I didn’t ask how honest you are or how much integrity you have. I’m assuming you’re honest and that you have integrity because you’re following me. (Go away, please, if you aren’t and you don’t.)
I asked how believable you are. Not everyone who’s honest and has integrity is.
Doctors, lawyers, and veterinarians have instant credibility because there’s a series of letters following their names (Dr. Ph D., Esq., DVM) to show they’ve been through years of training to arrive at their present stations in life.
If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur who is an introvert or struggling with feelings of shyness or a sense of “not measuring up”, it’s all-too-easy for onlookers to assume that you lack credibility–which is sad, but it is what it is. In these cases, you’ll probably benefit from taking public speaking courses to find ways to overcome the credibility gap.
But know this: if, despite your shyness or introversion, you telegraph honesty and integrity, you’re halfway there, so don’t give up hope. Try scheduling one-to-one meetings with the people you meet in networking groups. Over time, you will have met them all and will feel less intimidated by addressing them as a group.
Credibility consists of believability and truthfulness. Don’t exaggerate, make false claims, or in any other way mislead your prospects. If you don’t know something, say so. If there’s a known “defect” in your product or service, claim it. (Example: I don’t write copy in all niches or with all clients. This might be considered a defect. On the other hand, it can be considered a virtue. I know my strengths and want all of my clients to be super-satisfied.)
Testimonials establish credibility.
Resolving objections establishes credibility.
Who you hang with can help establish credibility as long as they’re deemed credible, believable and trustworthy.
Where you choose to place your advertising dollars can establish your credibility. (I’ve seen credibility destroyed because a community bulletin is error-ridden with spelling and grammatical errors. )
Your written materials establish (or destroy) credibility. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen writers and do-it-yourself wordsmiths misuse “entitled” in place of “titled” (e.g., “My newest book is entitled Grammar for Dummies” ACK!); “then” in place of “than” (“My dog is cuter then your dog” ACK!); “your” in place of “you’re” (“You’re guess is as good as mine”; “Your in good hands” ACK!): “to”,” too” and “two” in place of –well, you know– and other painfully-obvious errors.
Without credibility, you’re a long, long way from where you want to be.
Note to UCN Biz Group Members: Just so you know, I wrote this piece two days before Dave Robbs of Waymaker Consulting in Puyallup presented “credibility” so well during today’s meeting, for those of you who were there. I’m putting it topside now (moving it from Draft to Publish) because it has suddenly become topical, at least among those of us who were at today’s meeting. He suggested that you buy and read Go Pro. I haven’t read it (yet) but Dave carries so much credibility because of his obvious integrity that I feel confident recommending it, too.
