Whatever business you are in the marketplace is going to be crowded. A combination of more people choosing to become self-employed and run their own businesses, as well as the fact that it is relatively simple to set up a company, especially if you are operating solely online, means that you will find you have to contend with more competition than ever before.
One way that you can stand out from the competition and really make a name for yourself in your particular field is to position yourself as an expert. When you do this, customers are more likely to buy from you because they trust your opinion and judgment. As a bonus, you can possibly charge a little more than your competitors as well because you are charging not just for the product or service but for your expertise as well.
If you think that this is a good idea and a way for you to rise above the rest, here are some excellent ways to prove to your potential customers that you are an expert in your field.
Use Your Blog
In order to use your blog to prove you’re an expert and gain more business, you need to have one in the first place. A blog is an essential tool when it comes to being ranked higher in Google searches since it is the one element of your website which is always going to be regularly updated and changed.
If you can fill your blog with content that is informative, interesting, and readable, people will come to you to discover more about your products and services rather than a competitor. Ensure that the blog is different and covers a range of topics related to your sector, and it is hugely important that if someone comments or asks a question, that you engage with them (assuming they are genuine and not internet ‘trolls,’ of course).
If you can post twice or three times a week, your content will be more easily noticed, and you will inspire trust and confidence at the same time.
Guest Posts
It could be that you are struggling to get your website and blog seen amongst the plethora of others, and it is true that this can take a lot of time. As an alternative, until your own blog becomes more popular, you can contact high ranking websites and ask if you can offer them a guest post. Do your research first and ensure that the site takes guest posts and that their sector has relevance to yours (otherwise you will be targeting the wrong market).
The more guest posts you can offer to a variety of different websites, the more times your name and company will be seen, and it will start to be recognized. Make sure there is a link back to your own site, and continue to update your blog, and soon you will gain a good following.
You can also accept guest posts on your own blog. If they come from industry experts, you will find that their fans and followers will come to your page to read their blog, and hopefully, they will stay and look at what you have to offer as well.
Social Media
Social media can be a big help when it comes to boosting your business, and in being able to show people that you are an expert and you certainly know what you are talking about. You can, again, use links from your blog on your social media feeds, and this will help to bring people to your website. However, you can also write smaller posts, upload pictures, and videos, and generally engage with your customers on a more personal level.
It is important to use the social media channels that your target audience are most likely to use in order to get the best return on your time and any financial investment you might make. Therefore, proper market research is essential. Once you find the right channel and start to build up a following, you can continue to offer advice and information that shows you have the expert knowledge your potential customers are looking for.
Give Talks
Giving talks in your local community and then further afield once you get a good name for yourself is a great way to show your expertise. You might talk about one particular aspect of your business, or you might talk about something more generalized. Whichever you choose, make sure that the information you are giving away is something that cannot be found elsewhere, and something that will inform and entertain as well as convince those listening that you have all the right answers.
Workshops are another great way to garner interest and prove that you are an expert. If you are teaching people something, then obtaining a coaching certification online can be invaluable. Not only will this mean that you have the confidence and skills to be successful in this task, but it is also another way to keep ahead of your competition.
Give Interviews
There are many different outlets for an interview such as print, radio, TV, or online. If you can be interviewed about your business and what you do, and ensure that, during the interview, you are able to put forward ideas and information that shows you are an expert indeed, then you can find many new potential customers. Interviews can be shared easily on social media and on your website, for example, but they will also be on the website and social media channels of the person or organization who interviewed you in the first place. You can instantly reach hundreds or potentially thousands of people in this way.
If you can find enough people to interview you, you will find that you become the ‘go to’ person for your sector, and this, perhaps above everything, will show that you are an expert. Use this to your advantage and engage with as many people as possible and your business will quickly grow.
