How would you rate your credibility in the work you do?
We humans tend to be a skeptical bunch. So, credibility means everything when promoting a product or service.
But you’re not home free once you do gain consumer trust. You can shoot holes in your credibility faster than you can type the word loser.
The following shares 5 simple ways you lose credibility (without even trying) and how you can fix it.
Tip: You can download the infographics for handy reminders.
The Need for Credibility
Credibility is one trait every successful person needs but no one starts out with.
- Even the most prosperous entrepreneurs had to prove themselves.
- And success meant nothing when they moved on to their next venture.
- Think Oprah.
As wildly successful as Oprah was, when she launched OWN, she struggled. Oprah had to learn how to establish her credibility in a new arena.
If it can happen to Oprah, it can happen to any of us.
5 Simple Ways
The loss of credibility sneaks up on the unsuspecting. The following are five simple ways that happens. (Download infographic)
1. Neglecting to Respond
Is there any more aggravating response than no response at all?
- Are you not important enough?
- Has there been a power outage just for your messages?
- And, yes, you do take it personally.
I’ve had experiences with a business or individual that started out great. Then the sound of crickets greeted my communication to them.
Customers may tolerate an occasional hiccup in responding.
- If it becomes a pattern, customers walk out the door.
- No matter how good the relationship was before.
How to Fix It
If you follow this blog, you’ve heard me say this before. A simple fix is acknowledging each message.
In my corporate road warrior days, I used this tactic often. (Download Quick Tips infographic).
2. Avoiding the Truth
None of us like to be the bearer of bad news. But you do far more damage to your credibility by withholding the truth than you do delivering it. Let me give you examples.
The year 2020 is not one most of us would like to repeat.
- Businesses shut down.
- Customers disappeared.
- Products and services experienced huge delays.
Trying to get a response to anything became a big hurdle. I contacted a few clients to get an assessment on where they were in terms of my services.
- Some responded honestly that they did not see any projects in the near future.
- Others provided half-truths (i.e., they were still producing and they’d contact me soon, which they did not).
- While some never responded (despite me knowing they had not shut down).
Which response do you think I appreciated the most? Even though it was bad news.
Or how many times did you know something was going on at work but management remained silent? How did you feel about management while it was happening?
Avoiding hard truths in business does not make the truth go away. Instead, the silence destroys trust. Click To TweetHow to Fix It
Another simple fix – share the truth.
- Even if you do not have all the answers.
- People appreciate being kept in the loop.
- Just don’t keep playing the same tune over and over again – like businesses blaming the pandemic for EVERY misstep.
3. Ignoring Failure
This credibility destroyer is the sibling to avoiding the truth.
- Although often, the denial is more self-directed.
- If you don’t admit you failed, you won’t feel bad.
- But ignoring failure means you’ll repeat the same mistakes.
You lose major credibility points if you repeatedly commit the same mistake – or worse – try to cover it up.
How to Fix It
Learn from your mistakes and get even more credibility by sharing what you learned.
4. Launching Before Ready
Launching refers to a new product, service, or something as simple as your next business blog post.
- Who hasn’t rushed a project out the door?
- While you can fall victim to project paralysis by not acting,
- Launching before ready could prove disastrous.
Fitbit, an electronics and fitness company, has had more than its share of product problems.
- 2014 – The company recalled its Fitbit Force due to some users experiencing allergic reactions to the device’s materials.
- 2019 – Fitbit reached a settlement to a class action lawsuit that accused the company of false advertising regarding its sleep tracking capabilities on the Fitbit Flex, Fitbit One, and Fitbit Ultra devices.
- 2020 – Some owners of the Fitbit Sense smartwatch received notifications to return their devices due to problems with its electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor
In January 2021, Google completed its acquisition of Fitbit.
You may not relate to the mega product issues of a company the size of Fitbit. But have you ever wished you could recall a marketing email or pretend a launch never happened?
Launching a product, service, or communication too soon will often explode in your face.
How to Fix It
Are you someone who gets stoked about the creative side of business? But not so much the process development aspect? That’s okay.
Surround yourself with good strategy people. That could be employees or independent consultants. Or borrow good strategy by researching what’s available online.
For example:
- Neil Patel offers 7 Product Launch Strategies to Create Buzz Around Your Business.
- A simple editing process for your business marketing and communication can take you from crickets to ka-ching.
A product launch without strategy is like packing for a trip when you don’t know where you’re going. It may work , but you could end up regretting your choices.
#5. Not Practicing What You Preach
My dad had many what I call “southernisms”. Those often humorous sayings or observations about life. The following is one we heard quite a bit growing up.
While the expression may be something parents relate to, the concept slaps away at your business credibility.
- A while back, I received a message from a LinkedIn contact.
- She was inquiring about my business writing services.
- We share the same target market for our services.
When I let her know I was definitely interested, she responded and told me she would get back to me. Then – nothing.
- Follow-up messages went unanswered.
- Silence ruled the message hallways.
- I never received any answer.
It happens. Business priorities change. But a simple update is the courteous thing to do.
Later, when I read an article the company posted, I found it difficult not to reply. The post admonished our shared market for their lack of follow-through.
Hello? Pot calling the kettle black.
The best business communication become empty words when you don’t practice what you preach.
How to Fix It
Believe in your business. It shows. When you truly believe, you practice what you preach.
A Credible Source
Credibility is earned and easily lost. Like the chef who takes his eye off the burner in a cooking competition, the lack of focus scorches all your hard work.
When you least expect it, you can lose credibility without even trying.
What stories do you have when an individual or a business lost its credibility? Please share in Comments.
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Interesting and helpful article as always Cathy. Even though the business of writing is slightly different from the businesses that use your services, I always find something that resonates.
Today, I particularly liked: “Just don’t keep playing the same tune over and over again – like businesses blaming the pandemic for EVERY misstep.”
I’m tired of hearing that explanation for why something wasn’t done and have started to wonder if the pandemic is just a handy excuse. What are companies going to do when the pandemic is over?
Rather than solely business writing, I view this more as business communication, which includes everything from customer service to the random tweet. I agree, Maryann, the “pandemic excuse” is getting tired. Yes, it’s real but we all need ways to minimize it/ Thanks, as always, for stopping by.