Social Media Credibility

How do you build your Social Media Credibility?

In the social media world you need to stand out, you need to build your credibility in this space so you become a respected and trusted identity.

But how can we do this?

1. Honesty

Be honest with about your social media status updates. If you have a problem with a company, be honest about what you say. If you are recommending someone, make sure your reasons behind the recommendation and honest and transparent.

2. Establish your Authority

One of the most important aspects of your social media credibility is knowing what you are talking about.

How do you do this? You need to come across as an information source for your particular industry and also as a thought leader whom is always discussing your business area, looking for new information and sharing your expertise.

In my experience you need to produce a quantity and quality of content to establish your authority – it will happen, it just takes time and a lot of hard work.

3. Be consistent with your status updates

Going on from point 2, if you are an authority figure you need to consistently provide new material and thoughts to your industry. Considering the online landscape is so competitive you need to maintain focus and keep a constant stream of information being published and shared.

If you go quiet for a week, or month – people may think you are not a serious player.

4. Network with other industry professionals, build relationships

Don’t be shy of your competitors and industry colleagues, network with them. There is always a lot more business to be had when you take every opportunity to work with other people.

On top of this build relationships with these industry professionals, as in my experience this will get your more recognition, referrals and ultimately business.

5. Social Evidence

If you realise highly detailed industry reports but only get 1 retweet, what does this say about your credibility? It says either your report is no good or you don’t have the authority and influence in your space.

You need people to be reading your content and reposting it, linking to it, signing up to your email lists, becoming a Facebook fan and so on. Promote all your work through the main social channels and don’t be afraid to ask people to reshare your content.

Some other considerations

Make sure you have a professional looking website. If you operate in the online space, this is a basic must have.

Remember building your social media credibility takes time and initially (I’d say for at least the first year), its not all about you and your business, its about how you can help your readers in their everyday quest for information.