Credibility is defined as “The quality, ability or power to elicit beliefs.” This belief is critical to you as a consultant, because it is what determines whether or not someone chooses to do business with you. Here are five simple strategies you can use to build your credibility, even as a new consultant.
1. Provide a professional looking website
Today it is assumed that you have a website. In fact, most people will see you online before calling to explore doing business. Therefore, you need to make sure that your website reflects your credibility.
It shouldn’t look like homemade. So if you are not an experienced web designer, don’t do it yourself. You can easily hire someone to set up a WordPress-based site for you that you can manage. Then take an online or local course on how to update and expand your site.
Key information should be included on the site: your credentials, experience, client list, testimonials from existing clients, list of services, and contact information.
2. Write!
There is no faster way to establish your credibility than to appear in print. In today’s market, that “print” can be online as well as in traditional print media.
Write regular articles on topics in your area of expertise and post them on your blog. Distribute them on reputable quality article distribution sites like EzineArticles.com
Offer to write articles for the online versions of professional publications in your area. These sites are constantly looking for new content, and it is often quicker and easier to post there than in the print versions. Plus, it’s a great way to enter the licensed printing market.
3. Network
Traditionally, you may have attended local networking meetings in your area. If you only have local marketing, that’s ideal. But in today’s marketplace, many consultants have found that networking outside of their area gives their bottom line a huge boost.
Be visible in online discussion groups in your area of expertise, as well as on career-oriented social networking sites like LinkedIn. Add your comments to blog posts and articles in your area of expertise, with links leading to your site.
All of these tactics are part of the “network” that is the online world. And each of these can be accomplished in a relatively short time between appointments.
4. Manage your reputation
You have seen it repeatedly. Someone with a high profile job suddenly loses their job and their credibility by doing something wrong. And that can also happen to you as a consultant.
Your reputation is built on the work you do with your clients, so naturally you will do top notch work so you can get quality referrals for more business.
But your reputation is also built online without you even noticing. Just as potential employers are doing an online search before hiring someone, your future clients are doing the same. So make sure they don’t find any compromising photos on Facebook or indecent comments on other sites that could damage your credibility.
5. Show your experience
Nothing screams more credibility than showing what you can do and what you’ve done. This is why you want to provide case studies on your website. Potential clients love to see what you have done for others in the past. They automatically put themselves in that image, making your job much easier.
Answering questions can be an easy way to show your expertise. Whether through audio or short slideshows, it’s easy for you to take frequently asked questions about your topic or services and turn them into short presentations.
You can also organize courses through teleseminars or webinars for current or potential clients. Once again, they have the opportunity to see you in action, leaving no doubt in their mind that you are a credible consultant.