How to Create Instant Credibility on Your Website
Grab attention in 9 seconds with an As Seen In boxQuick!
When someone lands on your website to check out your business and services, how much time do you have to grab their attention and position yourself as the “go to” expert in your field?
Not much, you say.
How about 9 seconds?
Scary, right?
At the Content Marketing World conference, the uber-smart Sally Hogshead (yes that is her real name), an expert in the science of “fascination” told the crowd during her keynote talk: “The average attention span is getting shorter and shorter. People are distracted. Some scientists say the average attention span is now only 9 seconds.”
So how can your website help you establish your credibility in 9 seconds or less?
With an “As Seen In” section.
Or you can call it “Featured On” or something snazzy. You get the point. It’s about giving web visitors a quick visual slice of what’s called “social proof.” When a third party, like a newspaper, magazine, blog or conference has covered or included you, it’s an endorsement in the minds of your visitors. There’s an unconscious reaction in the brain that says, “Hey if these people featured/used/hired this person, she must be good.”
Here’s how I did it:
But I don’t have any media coverage!
Fretting because you and your business haven’t been profiled in Inc. or mentioned on Fox Business? Relax! Even local media coverage (which is often so much easier to score) builds credibility and boosts your fame factor. So wave those local logos proudly!
Your assignment:
Put this tip into action! This week, put an As Seen In section on your website. Use the logos of all the places – online and offline – where you’ve been featured. Don’t forget OPB – other people’s blogs, too!
I heard it was more like 3 seconds to grab someone’s interest. Maybe it takes all 9 seconds to establish credibility. Either way, it’s not much time! Great suggestion.
As always… great implementable strategies!
3 seconds says Nancy…………..9 seconds ??? Holy WOW ~ I have to say people’s attentions are not locked and loaded as they used to be 🙁
Yep! to all previous comments. All I have to say is “Holy cow, Batman! How do we get their attention?”
Lori, this is such good information. So many people put all their social proof on the bottom of their webpage. Frankly, I don’t always scroll all the way down to the bottom….lesson learned for me? Put my social proof up higher! Thank you so much!
I am planning on updating my site with this great tidbit!
Great tip Lori! I definitely use the “as seen” section on my website and it certainly helps with giving social proof and credibility.
[…] visitors to your website (add it to the As Seen In section) […]
How to Create Instant Credibility on Your Website
The average attention span is now only 9 seconds. So how can your website help you establish your credibility in 9 seconds or less? Read on!
[…] if a magazine editor thinks your story is important, then others will, too. (Plus, you get “As Seen In” bragging […]
[…] Create or add it to your As Seen In section on your website […]
Hi,
My understanding was that you are not able to use companies logos on your site, even if you were featured in those magazines or media outlets, without their permission. Is that correct? I have spoken to many colleagues that use logos and they say they never got permission and “everyone does it.” Please advise as I have been featured in many and would love to use the logos if I can but was going to ask the companies first.
Rachel,
Yes, this is a case of “everyone does it.” Most publications want images or links on other sites because it sends more traffic their site – as long as the claim of coverage is real. If you’ve been featured in the media outlet, you can say that on your website. There may be a few journals or highly technical publications that won’t allow it, but most will.
~Lori