Saturday, May 14, 2011

12 Ways to Make Your Blog Posts more Credible


Today’seducated readers want information from a credible, trusted source, says some researcherand writer. When you convince them you are that source, they will believe andread what you have to say.
Here are twelve ways to make yourblog posts more credible:

1.Use rich, vivid detail.
Whenyou use rich, vivid language, words that paint vivid pictures in your reader’smind, she tends to believe what you are saying because she can see it forherself. After all, seeing, as they say, is believing!

2.Use scientific or technical language.
Iknow this goes against the grain of what most people suggest. But depending onthe type of article you are writing, it might be appropriate to use scientificor technical terminology that demonstrates (without over doing it) your grasp —and thus, your authority — on the topic.
3.Use sequencing or process description.
Insome cases, it may be appropriate to describe the steps involved in achievingan outcome. A list of numbered steps would be a good example of this. Or even asimple description in a single paragraph such as:
Aftertaking your new computer monitor out of the box the first thing you will noticeis a small bag containing three cords. One cord is blue, one is red, and theother black. Take the blue cord and plug the USB end into your computer, plugthe other end (color coded orange) into the left side of the monitor in theport labeled “audio in”. And so on.



4.Use charts, diagrams and graphs.
There’sa saying in selling (where credibility is paramount) that “nothing sells like ademonstration”. The saying holds true in building the credibility for yourarticle content too. If the content of your article lends itself todemonstration via a chart, graph or diagram you should use it.

5.Use a photograph depicting the article topic in action.
Thismay not always be possible. But have you noticed how the news media useintriguing photos to pull you into the article by attracting your attention?Photos can be as equally powerful when used in your articles to add credibilityto your message.

6.Use awards, certificates or qualifications.
Haveyou any special certificates or awards for achievement that support yourcredibility as an author or that support the message you are writing about? Ifso, use them in your articles. The majority of the masses still regardqualifications as a measure of a persons knowledge and trustworthy-ness.

7.Use testimonials and endorsements.
Ifyou say it it’s hearsay. If someone else says it it’s probably true. So usetestimonials or endorsements in your articles, especially from a recognizedsource.

8.Use a logical flow of information, especially logical argument.
Startyour article with a strong point your reader will agree with, then carefullywalk the reader through a series of “facts” or flow of information that leadsthem to the conclusion you want them to accept. In this way, you can build abridge from the things your reader already believes to the things you want themto accept and trust.

9.Use personal stories or anecdotes.
It’spretty hard to argue with a true story about something that happened to you orsomeone you know (or even someone famous). If you have stories or anecdotesrelevant to the point you want to make in your article, use them.

10.Use case studies — especially examples from the lives of people your reader canrelate to.
Ifthere’s a good documented case study of the point you want to make, use it inyour article. Bring out the detail of the people and places involved and yourargument becomes even stronger.

11.Use meaningful specifics, not vague generalities.
There’sa certain attractive quality in the specific. The more specific facts anddetails you use the more people feel what you’re saying is accurate.

12.Use examples to illustrate your point.
Even in conversation it helps if you give yourlistener examples of what you are saying to help him or her understand yourmessage. It’s no different in writing articles. If you want to see the truepower of examples as a “communication improver,” try deliberately explainingyourself through examples in the next conversation you have with someone athome or at the office.

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