From www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com
Being more credible means you will be more persuasive. You’ll be more influential in getting people to do what you want them to do. This will be helpful if you are in sales, management or if you are the parent of a teenager. Here are 5 Cool Ideas on how to be more credible.
1. Read and listen to good information. Carry a professional development book with you for three weeks. You don’t have to read the book, just be seen with it. People will almost instantly find you more credible. I actually read the books I carry. Every year, I process over 30 books, reading 15 and listening to 25 audio books. Recent titles include Good to Great (good is the enemy of great) and Theodore Rex–think you can learn something from the youngest man ever to be President of the United States?
2. Publish a book or an article. Imagine your level of credibility if you’ve written the book that people carry. John F. Kennedy, the youngest American ever elected President, established credibility as a successful author. His book, Why England Slept, was a best-seller and helped convince voters that the young man was experienced enough to hold the nation’s highest office.
Teddy Roosevelt authored several books prior to becoming the youngest American President at age 42. Being published authors increased Kennedy’s and Roosevelt’s credibility and being published can increase yours, too. Begin your publishing career by sending a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. It’s fun and addicting to see your name in print. Write a 500-word essay on something work-related and send it to the top five trade publications in your industry.
3. Speak out. Listen a good amount of the time, but never miss an opportunity to present good information in informal situations.
4. Be your own advertising company. Fly your flag to the top of the pole. People are more likely to believe in you when they know you believe in yourself. Use your voice mail messages, e-mail signature files and elevator speech to gently remind people of your value as a dependable source of quality information.
5. Network with people who will help spread the word. There’s only one thing better than being able to personally impress people and that’s having others attest to your credibility. Keep helping people and people will keep singing your praises.
