Highly-qualified individuals find it important to position themselves as experts in their fields. For instance, you may have a desire to help others, increase your leads, or provide more value in your industry. Many people automatically turn to experts when they're looking for advice, establishing themselves in an industry, or trying to find more information about a particular subject. Ready to establish yourself as an expert by demonstrating what you’ve mastered? Try these five key strategies.
1. Create Shareable Content
As many as 47% of C-level executives will share their contact information after reading or otherwise consuming content that shows a high level of thought leadership. Moreover, creating shareable content can expand your reach and put you in front of consumers who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to interact with your content. You will find over time that shareable content helps establish you as an expert within your industry. Multiple forms of content are available to you, especially in today's highly digital society. Savvy marketers may create content that includes:
- Blog posts
- Social media posts
- Video content
- Podcasts
- Infographics
- White papers
- Ebooks
The type of content you create will depend on your industry, your expertise, and your comfort level with specific types of content. If you're not comfortable writing, you may find that a podcast or video content better fits your needs than a long-form blog post. On the other hand, if you don't like being in front of a camera, written content can provide you with a more comfortable outlet.
2. Speak to Professionals in Your Industry
Speaking to large groups in your industry via conferences, seminars, and podcasts can help create a sense of authority. For the most part, people don't invite event speakers who do not possess considerable industry knowledge. Through your speaking engagements, you can help build an impressive resume that shows off just how much you know. Consider TEDTalks, for example. This platform has become widely recognized for its ability to produce authorities on a variety of subjects and industries. Thirty-two percent of Americans listen to a podcast at least once a month. At least 55% of the American population has listened to a podcast at least once. If you're looking for a public speaking opportunity, starting with a podcast can be a great way to start building your authority and presence.
As you create your content, remember that it's important to add value rather than sell. Your public speaking opportunities are not a chance to sell your existing products. Instead, they're a chance to build authority. You want customers to listen to you, trust you, and care about what you have to say. If you spend your entire talk selling to them, they'll be less likely to come to you with their future needs.
3. Engage with Your Followers
Take the time to personally respond to blog comments and questions. Engage with your followers on social media. Listen to what they have to say in addition to setting yourself up as an expert. For many people across a wide range of industries, this is the most effective way to help establish yourself as an expert. It shows that you're not just generating content. You're taking time for your fans and genuinely understand your field: something that is incredibly important to people who are looking to you as an expert. Over seventy-one percent of people who have had a positive interaction with a brand on social media will recommend that brand to friends and family members. More importantly, they will trust that brand when they need to make a purchase for themselves.
4. Share Testimonials from Happy Customers
Seventy percent of customers look at the reviews before buying a new product or service. Ninety percent of them can be influenced into a buying decision by a positive review. As you build your brand and your authority, invite happy customers to share their happiness regarding your business. Many of your satisfied fans will be delighted to leave a review, especially if they recognize how much impact it can have on bringing other customers to check out your brand.
5. Develop an Outreach Strategy
The final step in building your authority is aligning yourself with other experts in your field. You can join trade organizations, attend conferences and events, and network directly with other players in your industry. Through your interactions, do your best to offer something of value to your industry. The more you have to offer, the more other industry experts will come to trust you. This will, in turn, continue to raise your overall authority.
You're ready to launch your brand and want people to know who you are. You want to set yourself apart. Maybe you simply want to show what you know to your peers. Whatever is driving you to establish yourself as an expert, that goal is within your reach. From creating value in your shareable content to networking with others in your industry, the efforts you take now can help establish you as one of the key players in your industry. The key, in all scenarios, is creating value and sharing knowledge with no strings attached. Through this simple strategy, you can build your personal brand and extend your reach as you establish your expertise.
