Photo via Geo Liv
I was thinking about content, as I often am, the other day during Social Media Week here in New York City (you can read about my experience at SMWNYC here).
We were listening and reading information from trusted sources like the New York Times, Google, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
We trust these brands based on what? Their size? The fact that they’re experts in their niche? Their experience?
And if all of that is true, then what about the “little guy”? People like you and me … how do we gain credibility online with our content?
“What Makes Content Credible?”
I posed this question to the smart and savvy SteamFeed crew in our private Facebook group. To say I was floored by the responses would be an understatement. Here’s a list of words, ranked from highest to lowest, that people used to describe what credible content meant to them:
- The author/source
- Relatable/real/authentic/believable
- Reliable/useful/actionable
- Approachable
- Subject matter
- Emotional connection
- Consistency
- Numbers
- Humor
A few notes:
Gettysburg Gerry made a couple of interesting statements:
- “I don’t believe total credibility is possible.”
- And in reference to Mike Bal‘s comment saying, “I think solid numbers are always a good anchor for content”, he responded with: “I disagree about numbers, #s can be too easily falsely manipulated. I think we put too much weight on a persons “status”, I often learn more from the guy/gal in the trenches.”
I also thought Kim Yuhl had a winning take. She said:
“I look at credibility from a little bit of a different perspective. Yes, I agree it’s earned but can also fluctuate. Each piece of content has to earn its credibility and can not rest on the laurels of its author. I believe credibility is gifted through the audience.”
She also noted that,
“… [when] someone I trust recommended the content as being credible – and even then I proceed cautiously.”
And Ray Hiltz made a profound (and super smart) comment when he stated, in part:
“As for credibility, one of the things I do when reading a post from someone I don’t know is to search out their site. You’d be amazed at how many people who write this stuff have little or no presence on the platform they’re evangelizing.”
As for David Schwartz‘s comment on consistency, I’m surprised he was the only one who mentioned this.
Some of the other words used to describe the author’s credibility surrounded their:
- Achievements
- Experience
- Values & interests (and if they aligned with the readers’ values & interests)
So, Really, What Makes Content Credible?
From the looks of my little experiment, it sounds as if content credibility, like art, lies in the eye of the beholder, or reader. What you may find credible, I may find to be unworthy.
In looking at the top three ranked word choices, a clear picture emerges in the type of content we most align with. It probably:
- Comes from someone we know, know of, or has been recommended
- As Ari Herzog said, “It has to be something that the average person on the street can relate to.”
- It most definitely has to add value; we have to be able to learn from it
- Uses an emotional tug
- Is consistent – I think this is key in gaining credibility, and also remaining credible
Becoming credible — and staying there — takes a myriad of strengths. It comes with hard work.
I think Ray hit the nail on the head by saying that he does his homework to label someone, or their content, as credible. If the definition and the label comes from us, we need to do a better job of seeking out those who walk the walk, and not just talk the talk.
What makes content credible to YOU? Let me know in the comments section below.
See you in the social sphere!
[Shout out and THANK YOU to ALL of the SteamFeed authors who participated: Jessica Ann, Mike Bal, Randy Bowden, Gettysburg Gerry, Daniel Hebert, Ari Herzog, Ray Hiltz, Keri Jaehnig, Carrie Keenan, Jennifer Olney, Anne Reuss, & Kim Yhul]
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