How to Establish Credibility With Your Blog When Just Starting Out
As you may, or may not have noticed, I’ve been away for a little bit over the past month. This was due to personal issues that had to be dealt with, that took most of my attention away from my business. This time away, also gave me time to think about ways that I could improve both myself and my business. Starting a blog for me was a no brainer at the time, given the fact that I like to promote my Network Marketing business mainly online.
One of the things that also crossed my mind was the fact, I’m still newer on the scene and I’m currently establishing my blog and business. So, why should people listen to what I have to say?
Everyone Has to Start Somewhere
The fact is that when most people decide to be in business for themselves, they have to start at zero. It would be nice, but I think it’s much rarer that someone is just handed an existing business, unless it’s family. The truth is that I have been in and out of Network Marketing for over past 15 years now. During that time I’ve made many mistakes, of which, I think most of them are ones that most people make when getting into Network Marketing. Even now, I’ve just gotten back into it, over the past few years and I’m still learning.
I like to encourage people to establish and online presence to promote their business, and a blog is part of the deal. Even the most respected authority figures that are currently online had to start at basically nothing and build their way up. So, the best advice that I can give is the same advice that has been given to me; just get in there and do it, you have to start somewhere.
You want to use your blog as your face to the online world to help build your business, so putting it off could mean that you won’t grow your business as effectively.
The Trust Factor
To be honest, in my opinion, there is a balance that has to be established if you don’t yet have major success as your means to having credibility. When starting your own Network Marketing blog, or any blog for that matter, you’ll want to be an authority on your given subject. The information and solutions that you provide will be the very reason that people will follow you. You have to be, and show that you’re confident and provide sound advice or information.
To do this, it almost seems necessary to put on a front, and give the impression that you are already very successful, thus people should listen to you. Well, it is possible to be an authority on a subject, without yet having the very success that you’re working towards.
People will find you to be more of a trustworthy person, if you are honest with them. Establishing relationships is the name of the game anyway, correct? If, I lied and said that I’ve made millions since I’ve been in Network Marketing, and then people found out that I haven’t, then I lose all credibility and no one will trust me.
Other Ways to Establish Credibility
Now, after 15 years of being in and out of the game, I’ve had very modest success, but I’m no where near where I want to be. No where close to approaching millions, to be more precise. Ok, maybe that wasn’t any more precise, but you get the picture. While I can’t rest on past success, I can definitely pass along past mistakes. I can take the training that I’ve been receiving from Leaders Club, and other reputable sources, combine those with my own experiences, and pass out sound advice and information that I’m confident in.
Therefore, being an authority on a subject, and being credible, could come from multiple sources. Success is the most obvious one. However, what about training and education? Combined with experience, training and education is that much stronger.
Is it better to take driving lessons from someone who already has a successful driving record and has never been in an accident, or take lessons from someone who has been in a few accidents, has taken safe driving courses, and is now accident free? Truthfully, they both could be just as effective.
Conclusion
It dawned on me at some point right after I decided to start this blog and needed the confidence to keep going. Most people wouldn’t create an authority blog or a website, if they weren’t knowledgeable about their chosen subject. I’m no different and you shouldn’t be either. Until you become successful, you will have to offer your knowledge through, training, experience, or both. Be honest and straight forth about it, and you should at least gain the trust of your readers.
Many of my favorite authority blogs, are from authors who never thought, or originally intended to make millions from their websites. Even when they were in their early stages, before all of the success, they still offered valuable advice or information and had readers.
Obviously I’m big on continual education and learning being the backbone of succeeding, but I would love to hear your ideas or suggestions on ways to establish credibility when first starting out.
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