Building Your Pet Blogging Credibility

Guest post by Blog Manager Robbi Hess

Chances are, when you go to read a blog you don’t really know anything about the blogger other than what you read in a bio or on his or her website, righ? How do you know they’re a credible source? More importantly, how can you be seen as a credible pet blogging source?

There are several ways that I’ve uncovered and here are my thoughts on building your pet cred:

• Be genuine and passionate. If you’re not a cat lover, don’t blog about them as if you are. If you have a dog that simply is not trained (ahem, like Henrietta, the Diva Poodle is NOT) don’t blog about your authority with having a well-trained pet. Believe me, when your beloved furry friend hops up on the dinner table and stares at your plate (much to the chagrin of your other tablemates) your lack of having trained her will be evident. Be who you are. If you’re a natural born comedian let that shine through in your blog posts. Your writing voice will shine through in your blog posts.
• Just the facts ma’am. If you’re talking about trends, or dollars spent on pet adoptions, or how much the average family spends on pet toys, back your facts up with figures. You don’t have to know it all, but you should be able to point to a credible source and credit him or her. You don’t have to be the expert in everything, but if you’re not don’t be afraid to pull in the talents and skills and expertise of others. Believe me, having an expert guest posting or quoted on your blog amps up your pet cred!
• You’re not selling used cars. Sounding like a salesperson or selling, selling, selling in your blog posts will turn your readers off and they will high tail it to a site from which they can gain the knowledge they seek without being forced to buy something. Hey, if you’re a pet care provider or a social media guru of course you have a product to sell, but let the reader get to know you… once they know, like and trust you, they will think of you when they’re in the market to buy.

A great way to build pet blogging credibility is to become the go-to source for your readers. Have you heard of a problem for which you have a solution? Blog about it. Spread the word. You don’t have to solve every problem but if your readers know they can rely on you for great information, you will become to go-to person for their pet questions.

 

What steps can you take to build your pet credibility? 

 

Comments

[Carol Bryant]

Be active, attend conferences like BlogPaws. Establish yourself as an expert in your field. Back up facts with statistics and sources. I like to read a blog post and feel I do not to go elsewhere to verify the info. TY for this post.

[Emily]

All your posts are so helpful! Thank you for helping me improve my blog!

[Charlie @ Weekends with Charlie]

Great post-- and you made me laugh about the used car salesman...so funny yet so true!

[BZ Training]

But how do you know when you are a credible source? My blog reflects my hobby (photography) not my profession. I'd love to share what I've learned more often,and I've definitely learned a lot, but I'm hardly an expert and I don't want to give the impression that I am.

[Robbi]

I believe being an "expert" is someone who is proficient in his or her career/hobby. If you can write with authority, have sources to back up your facts and know where to go to find an expert (veterinarian, etc) you're going a long way toward establishing your expertise.

[caren gittleman]

Above all else be GENUINE, REAL......no airs....."blog with integrity"

[destination wedding photographer]

With these points we will definitely get the traffic we need on our blog. Thanks for sharing this great content, I really enjoyed the insight you bring to the topic. Awesome stuff!