10 Ways You Can Increase Your Credibility

It's generally harder to gain credibility nowadays than it ever has been in the past. Most consumers are fairly sophisticated and have grown cynical from all the exaggerated and unsubstantiated hype that is being thrown at them. People who feel that they have been burned in the past have developed thick skins to almost every persuasive message they are exposed to.

Here are ten ways in which you can increase your credibility in spite of all the skepticism:

Be sure your appearance is polished and professional. How do you look, dress and appear to your audience? Do you appear self-assured and in control of the situation? Do you maintain good eye contact?

Use highly credible sources, facts, statistics and stories to back up your claims. Cite evidence, identify sources and give source qualifications. Write and publish relevant articles or publish a book.

Research your audience. Be sure you explain the issue in terms that are relevant to them. Demonstrate that you have their best interest in mind.

Explain your background, expertise and qualifications so your audience knows why you have the credibility to speak to them on this particular subject matter. Display or promote your qualifications as a means of conferring your status and expertise.

Adopt a language and style that is suitable to the listener, the topic and the setting. Watch vocal fillers like um, er and ah. They detract from the message and your credibility. Use assertive language.

Emphasize your similarities in a way that makes them relevant to your audience. Listeners find it easier to identify with sources they perceive as similar to themselves. Use similar industries, colleges, home states, professional sports teams-anything that will strike a chord of familiarity (a technique that breeds instant rapport) in your prospects.

Have another highly credible individual (in the eyes of your audience) introduce you. Testimonials substantiate your expertise. Find third-party testimonials that endorse your position.

Be prepared, be organized and know your position. Make that great first impression. Make sure your presentation is rehearsed and polished. Educate, inspire and entertain with passion, compassion and purpose.

Make sure any printed material or literature you will be handing out has been carefully proofread and presented in a neat and professional manner. Nothing detracts from your credibility more than sloppy supplemental material. Make sure all your material is appropriate and understandable.

Be prompt. People who are always showing up late are considered less competent, less composed and less sociable than people who arrive on time.

Everyone persuades for a living. There's no way around it. Whether you're a sales professional, an entrepreneur, or even a stay at home parent, if you are unable to convince others to your way of thinking, you will be constantly left behind. Get your free reports at Magnetic Persuasion to make sure that you are not left watching others pass you on the road to success. Donald Trump said it best, "Study the art of persuasion. Practice it. Develop an understanding of its profound value across all aspects of life."

Conclusion

Persuasion is the missing puzzle piece that will crack the code to dramatically increase your income, improve your relationships, and help you get what you want, when you want, and win friends for life. Ask yourself how much money and income you have lost because of your inability to persuade and influence. Think about it. Sure you've seen some success, but think of the times you couldn't get it done. Has there ever been a time when you did not get your point across? Were you unable to convince someone to do something? Have you reached your full potential? Are you able to motivate yourself and others to achieve more and accomplish their goals? What about your relationships? Imagine being able to overcome objections before they happen, know what your prospect is thinking and feeling, feel more confident in your ability to persuade. Professional success, personal happiness, leadership potential, and income depend on the ability to persuade, influence, and motivate others.

Kurt Mortensen’s trademark is Magnetic Persuasion; rather than convincing others, he teaches that you should attract them, just like a magnet attracts metal filings. He teaches that sales have changed and the consumer has become exponentially more skeptical and cynical within the last five years. Most persuaders are using only 2 or 3 persuasion techniques when there are actually 120 available! His message and program has helped thousands and will help you achieve unprecedented success in both your business and personal life.