As we consume media in today’s information-rich world, we filter out what seems trustworthy or not. Ultimately, all of the information we consume and decide to believe is based on our trust in the credibility of the source. Authors of The Pyramid of Trust, Imran and Aimee Tariq identify the ways in which we can build trust in today’s world by establishing authority in one’s specialty or field.
Focusing on the power of authorship and the significant levels of trust that can be gained from being an author or having a best-selling book, Imran and Aimee show us how to leverage that opportunity, what to aim for, and the benefits it can bring. Ultimately, with their knowledge that trust underlies every human relation and all of society’s networks, establishing grounds of credibility in order to gain further trust is an essential step toward success and excelling with client relations.
What does authorship offer?
According to Imran and Aimee, achieving the feat of authoring a book sets one apart as a disciplined and dedicated figure in an area of expertise. Not everyone has the commitment to sit down and write a book beginning to end, so even by accomplishing that, one is able to gain a level of credibility. Furthermore, as people look to your book as a source of expert information in the field, you will gain opportunities that will bolster trust in your brand or you as an individual, leading to further success. For example, making it onto a bestseller list will open opportunities for TV interviews and heightened publicity around your knowledge, establishing you as a public figure that is trusted by authorities in the field.
Also, in today’s social-media-driven society, the blue ‘verified’ checkmark is the ultimate sign of authority and trustworthiness. Authoring a book is a route to that goal as you will become a known entity in the field and eventually gain the credentials needed to potentially become verified, displaying the ultimate social signal of trust, authority, and expertise.
What to aim for
As Imran and Aimee encourage authorship, they point to guidelines and goals to follow. Aiming to be a bestseller is one’s clearest route to those TV interviews and social media verification opportunities. With several bestsellers lists out there, from Amazon to Barnes and Noble and the Wall Street Journal or New York Times, the authors chime in with where to aim for the best outcome. Amazon’s list is an algorithm based on sales and can change hour-to-hour, indicating consumer patterns more than quality or prestige. Barnes and Noble is organized in a similar way, and therefore one should aim to make a bestseller list from the Wall Street Journal, or what they identify as the holy grail in this space—the New York Times. These news outlet lists compile data from multiple sales sources, giving a more accurate picture and carrying a level of prestige alongside them. Imran and Aimee Tariq’s book, The Pyramid of Trust, shows how authorship is a clear path to building trust, authority, and credibility in the twenty-first century. To learn more about how trust is at the center of all relationships, social engagements, and business success, check out the book here.
