3 Ways to Establish Yourself as an Authority in Your Industry

In the world of business, people want to work with the best of the best. That means that, if you want to bring clients to your new business, you need to establish yourself as the go-to authority for your industry. It doesn’t matter if you’re financial advisor or a music teacher; if you can show people you know what you’re talking about, they’re more likely to bring their business to you.

So how can you establish yourself as an authority in your industry? Here are 3 tips.

Have a Blog

One of the most effective ways to demonstrate your knowledge is to write about it. Make sure that your business website has a blog, and post on it at least once a week (though two to three times is even better). Write on industry-related topics, share the latest industry news, offer explanations for common questions you get from customers, and so on. Remember that your blog should not be all about promoting your business. While some self-promotion is perfectly acceptable, your goal should be to share useful, helpful information. Demonstrating your knowledge in your industry is a better advertisement than talking about your latest sale.

Join in Conversations Online

People aren’t going to flock to your blog on day one. You need to venture to places outside of your own website to share your knowledge. Join a few forums online where you can share your knowledge base. For example, find a subreddit on the Reddit website that is dedicated to your industry, and join in discussions there. Answer questions, talk about the latest news, and become a name that people look to as an influencer in the industry.

You can also join in conversations via Twitter or Facebook. This is especially important on your business’s Facebook and Twitter profiles—which you should definitely have. Make sure that you’re answering any questions or addressing any issues that are directed at you. This does more than show that you know what you’re talking about; it shows that you care about your customer base.

Start a Podcast

Staring a podcast is an inexpensive and effective way to reach an audience and establish your authority in your industry. You can get a microphone for about $100, and there are no other startup costs involved. Start talking about your industry, particularly about the latest news. Set up interviews with other authorities in your industry and get a conversation going.

If you’re not sure what to talk about, make a list of potential topics and evaluate each with a VRIN score. As entrepreneur and popular podcaster Tai Lopez explains: “VRIN stands for value, rare, inimitable and non-substitutable. Value meaning a post that people care about—a high value post that is relatable and adds value. Rarity meaning your post includes things most people don’t often see or experience. Inimitable meaning how hard is it for a competitor to replicate your post. And non-substitutable meaning there is no other place to access the information your post delivers.” Find a topic with a high VRIN score that relates to your industry, and go with it.

The audience for podcasts is growing at a rapid rate. According to a recent study, 67 million Americans listen to podcasts on a regular basis; that’s an increase of 14% in the last year. You can expect to see that number grow even more in the next year. This is a trend that you simply must tap into if you want to become the voice of your industry.

Success in the business world today is less about flashy advertisements and more about establishing yourself as a known authority in your industry. If you can prove yourself to be a knowledgeable influencer, people will naturally be drawn to your business when they’re in need of your services.

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