When you apply for a loan at a bank, or a new cellphone contract, or these days even when you want to rent an apartment, your credit rating… your credibility in financial terms is checked. Your ability to deliver on your financial promises is judged according to your net worth, your assets minus your liabilities, and your track record.
More important than your financial credit rating in my opinion is your online credibility. I believe we are heading for a new economy where cash is not all that matters.
The good news is online credibility can be created and it doesn’t cost you anything. It does however take time and a whole lot of work.
Here’s some things that are key to increasing your online credibility score.
Authority – this is one of the primary end goals of creating credibility and a natural by product… authority in your field.
Association – “who you know”, the social circles and individuals you are seen to engage with. This plays a big part in others first and lasting impressions.
Transparency – Be honest, you’ve got nothing to hide, people smell dishonesty from a mile away and that will instantly reduce your score to zero or less than zero.
Trust – Trust is a by product of authority and association.
Reputation – Follow through on your promises and pursue excellence in everything you do.
Value – Don’t be afraid to give something of value away.
Practise these things and you will realize rewards in the form of real fans and followers, a dedicated audience for your work, and new clients and career opportunities.
This is the currency of the future, how much money you have or don’t have has little to do with it in my opinion. If you work on keeping a high online credibility, money can very easily be found as a by product of applying these principles in everything you do.
