7 Ways to Build Credibility With Every Blog Post

Posted May 17th, 2010 / By Darren Monroe in Posts

I have used all of these at one point or another. And I will tell you that it is unrealistic to do exactly all 7 in each and every article. Try to follow 1-4 all the time while 5-7 are optional but helpful.

1. Attention Grabbing Headlines: if you don’t have an attention grabbing headline your article is dead in the water. How are people supposed to know how great your article is when they don’t notice it? The key to great headlines is in the interest of your readers. No interest no click through. So you have to ask yourself “what does my reader want?” In business blogging it is never about you. Focus on your readers and attract them with their interest. Your headlines have only a few seconds to grab them. Use action words to entice them. But make sure your vocabulary fits your niches interest.
2. Deliver in the body what your headline states: don’t you hate it when you click on a headline only to discover it didn’t deliver in the body of the article? You have to deliver in the body if you want people to take you seriously. After all you are blogging to convert your readers i.e. visitors into customers. I doubt they will buy anything from you if they can’t even trust you to deliver FREE information.
3. Your articles overall tone should be in alignment with the theme of your blog: That means that if your blogging about say email marketing because thats your focus. If your a humorous person then keep that same tone in your blog. As a marketer for 15 years I can attest to one key fact. And that is that some of the most powerful people in entertainment established their authority with humor. And their key to success was doing that consistently.
4. Cite your information with links to other authorities in your niche: want to establish an aura of confidence and authority? Start linking to others in your niche. As long as they are actually credible you have nothing to lose. I have shared over 10,000 sources in the last year and it has paid off. Trust me your readers will respect you for this strategy.
5. Speak the unpopular truth: Don’t be afraid to get controversial in your headlines and body. Sometime ago I posted a concern I had about a internet marketers ethics. I received a lot of attention and some flack about it but I stood strong. People trust people who share the truth. Especially when it doesnt benefit them to do so.
6. Offer specifically detailed information for FREE: When others are charging offer for FREE. Not all the time of course but regarding a specific subject say copywriting course or a email marketing program.
7. Offer a conclusion that invites inclusion (comments): I must admit I don’t always do this. But this is a very effective way to gain input on your blog and feedback. You will know it is really working well when ideas are generated from the comments. products and major sites have sprouted from comments. The results of course lend credit to you.

You need to get attention and deliver. You need to write in the same consistent tone. You need to cite your information to credible sources and don’t be afraid to be controversial. Offer high quality detail and invite inclusion in your constitution.

Execute 1-4 always and add 5-7 at least 50% of the time. Do that and your blog will prosper. These are just (7) ideas. What do you do to fuel your headlines, body, and blog?

Darren Monroe is a leading authority in Online Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs. Darren has developed thousands of business ideas for Forbes, Nissan, Universal, McDonalds, Fox, Clear Channel communications, American Express, and even the Barack Obama 2008 campaign. You can connect with him at DarrenMonroe.com.