If you want to be an industry leader, you need to build online authority. That means being able to transform your expertise and insights into something engaging.
So, why is it important to become a credible resource? For one, search engines will place your website at a higher rank. This can help you reach more customers and enjoy a more profitable business!
Establish yourself as a thought leader by following these tips on how to build your authority.
Think: Do You Have the Qualities of an Online Authority?
You can’t become a brand authority online without having the qualities of one.
Education is a plus, though not the most important thing. Instead, you must possess these three attributes.
The Right Knowledge and Skills
An online authority figure needs to have mastery of the subject matter.
So, if you want to be a respected figure in the business coaching industry, you need to be knowledgeable about this specific topic. If not, how will you create the quality content that your audience is looking for?
As for education, this will depend on the category where you want to become an online authority.
Again, taking the business coaching niche as an example, you need not necessarily have a degree to become one.
Just think of influencers. They’re considered authority figures in social media, though they don’t have the diploma to back this up.
Although this is the case, it will help to possess some related knowledge.
For starters, you can get certified. A short course in business or marketing will help you achieve your goal of becoming an authority in your field.
Other Valuable Skills
It pays to be good at several other things. This is especially the case if it’s relevant to the industry where you’re building authority.
For example, you’re aiming to be one of the thought leaders in business coaching. Apart from being an industry expert, it pays to have related skills, such as:
- Teaching
- Mentoring
- Training
- Consulting
- Counseling
- Public Speaking
The Passion for Helping Other People
There are many ways to build authority. The caveat, however, is the passion for helping other people.
If you don’t have the time or the zeal to support your clients, you’ll surely find it hard to establish authority. That said, you need to do some introspection to see if you have what it takes to help the community.
Create a Plan That Will Establish Your Authority
So you have the knowledge, skills, and passion for becoming an authority. Now, you need to work on your strategies.
Set Up Your Business
Let’s say you’re planning to open a company. Of course, you’ll need to set it up. You have a choice to make it a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company.
When choosing, make sure to consider these four factors:
- Cost
- Regulations
- Taxes
- Liability
Formulate a Business Plan for your Brand
Now that your business is ready to go, it’s time to proceed with your business plan.
That means detailing the company’s description, marketing goals, operating procedures, financial data, among other considerations.
Write a Marketing Plan
Online presence is vital if you want to become an authority in your field. That said, you need to create a plan with pretty robust marketing strategies.
- To build your exposure, you may engage in:
- Building and promoting your brand and website
- Social media marketing
- Content marketing through blog posts, articles, videos, and the like
- Hiring promoters and influencers
- Writing guest posts
Build Online Authority
Now that you have a written plan, it’s time to act on it. As mentioned, one of the ways to do it is to build your site.
If you want to become an authority, your site needs to top search engines to increase its visibility. For this to happen, you need to use the right keywords for the following areas:
- Comprehensive information about your brand, products and services, and price plans
- Your expertise and qualifications
- Your background story and how you managed to reach this leadership/authority role
- Media such as images, videos, and podcasts
- Testimonials or comments regarding your brands
- Links to registration pages, contact forms, and scheduling forms
Try to Reach Out to More Customers
While it’s essential to write a blog post to promote your brand, there are other things you should do to reach other leads.
For example, you can ask clients to subscribe to your LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages.
It’s also important to participate in conversations. It’s easy to demonstrate your expertise by writing a guest post for your target audience.
Holding webinars will also help you build your online presence. That’s because customers are hungry for quality content. Imparting relevant knowledge will make you an instant authority in your clients’ eyes.
Building online authority is a must for individuals and businesses alike. Although challenging, you can do it! Remember, patience is key.