Credibility is the first thing that comes to mind when you look to do business with someone. Can you trust them? Are they as good as they seem? What if…….?
Your prospects are no different. You may have attracted their attention through your online presence, following word-of-mouth referrals or directly from a marketing campaign but they need more reassurance before they take the step to working with you.
If you can easily prove credibility, it will turn more enquiries into real conversations and real work. So, how can you make that happen today?
- Make it easy
Share different kinds of content that underline your reliability, trustworthiness and excellent delivery.
Testimonials work beautifully because they can be detailed and warm. Publish them on social media and keep them on your website.
LinkedIn recommendations, short video clips from clients and screenshots of real conversations are powerful because they help people see the truth behind the words.
Case studies can be kept on your website in an easy-to-read format and shared on social when relevant. You can also send a designed version alongside a proposal to showcase your experience.
No one should have to dig around to find simple, clear evidence that you deliver a high quality service.
- Build your personal brand
Service businesses don’t have anything physical to promote, so you and your team remain at the heart of the buying decision.
Your skills, your approach, your stories and the way you show up all contribute to the experience a client will have, and it’s these things that quietly build trust and credibility before someone ever speaks to you.
Bring your people into your content by sharing the moments, insights and experiences that demonstrate who you really are. Use real images, talk about what matters to you and let your personality be part of your business brand. People buy people.
- Give
You need to continually engage with your network, both online and in-person.
The commenting, contributing, speaking, supporting and simply showing up must be built into your content plan.
And remember that there’s a balance. Giving means sharing tips, not the things that should rightly be paid for.
Your ideas, your observations, and your guidance show what you have learned and enhance your reputation, which becomes credibility, and converts to new business.
If you’re uncomfortable promoting yourself, remember you want your clients to have a good experience and never feel let down. If we always knew who we could trust in business, we would avoid a lot of frustration and wasted money.
By showing your credibility openly and generously, you are not boasting. You are helping people make a confident and informed decision.
Connect with Emma on LinkedIn for more content writing tips or sign up for her weekly insights.
