If you’re going to be successful with your website, product, or with influencing others, you must have credibility. But what if you are new to an industry or don’t have much experience? Here are three keys to establishing your credibility.

1. Showcase Your Expertise
You need to answer the question “why should I listen to you?” What particular qualifications demand attention? What have you done that others have not? What degrees do you hold? What life experience do you have? How many hours research have you spent? What training or certifications do you have? If you don’t have a particular expertise in an online venture, partner with someone that does.

As an exercise, open up a phone book and look through major ads. Can you identify how companies are showcasing their expertise?

Some examples:

“Over 70 years combined construction experience”
Pictures of completed work
Former District Attorney

2. Establish Your Trustworthiness
Expertise without trustworthiness is worthless. If you’re a crook, nobody will want to do business with you. You need to answer the question “how do I know I can trust you?” Do you have a contact E-mail address and/or phone number? Do you have a privacy policy? Do you have testimonials? Do you offer a money-back guarantee? You must build trust with your prospective buyers and maintain that trust.

More examples from the phone book:

Logo from the Better Business Bureau
Free estimates
Independently audited and approved

3. Increase Your Exposure
If nobody has heard of you, your expertise and trustworthiness are great but useless. You need to get “face time” with your potential clients. Are you writing quality posts in appropriate forums? Are you writing articles that demonstrate your expertise? Are you sending PR releases? Are you soliciting radio talk shows? Part of establishing your credibility is being out there as an expert.

How many of these keys are your currently implementing?

For more great “how to” articles, check out: Problogger Contest.