Step 5 in becoming a trusted and sought-after expert is all about creating content.
But what exactly is content?
It refers to any information that you produce to Engage, Entertain or Educate.
This can include images, infographics, PowerPoint presentations, writing, social media posts, emails, blog posts, and any form of audio and video.
To establish yourself as a credible and in-demand expert, you need to have content readily available for your ideal clients and potential collaborative partners to discover and connect with.
However, many entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed by the prospect of creating content.
They may not know what type of content to produce, how to create it, or where to publish it.
If this sounds like you, take a deep breath and don’t worry.
We’ll provide a brief overview of content creation and ways to get started in this step, with more detailed guidance to come in Steps 6 through 8.
By the time we reach Step 9, you’ll be ready to create a customized plan of action that aligns with your unique goals and preferences.
Remember, not every strategy is meant for every person, so choose what feels right for you!
To help you avoid common mistakes when creating content, here are some things entrepreneurs often do wrong:
- They only publish promotional material.
- They rely too heavily on posting quotes.
- They lack consistency.
- Their message is unclear.
- They don’t create their own unique content.
Establishing yourself as an expert requires creating your own content. Shockingly, Facebook reports that less than 10% of graphics shared on their site are unique content. When you create graphics for your blog or social media, it’s important to brand them.
By branding your content, you ensure that you get credit if it goes viral in the future, bringing you new leads.
Remember that all the content you create should engage, entertain, and educate your audience. The first step in creating content is to have a clear and concise message.
For example, my message is “Be Visible, Be Helpful, Be Profitable,” and everything I create relates to these three things.
It’s important to avoid sharing content that is unrelated to your business or core message.
For example, I once had a client who shared mostly photography content, even though her business was about energy healing. This created a huge disconnect for her audience.
On the other hand, another client of mine who works with empty nesters only shares content related to that topic. This includes things like what to pack when your child goes off to college and how to say goodbye at the dorm.
These seemingly small concerns are real for empty-nesters, and by addressing them, my client has effectively engaged her target audience.
Whether your core message is about manifesting or saving money, it’s important to create a list of main topics and sub-topics that relate to your message.
By doing this, you’ll never run out of topic ideas, keeping you full of inspiration for a very long time.
Discovering topics for your content can be easier than you think.
One way to find inspiration is to search for topics related to your expertise on Google or Amazon. By exploring related books and their table of contents, you can discover new ideas for your own content.
Additionally, you can identify common questions asked about your area of expertise.
If you don’t have a following yet, Facebook groups that cater to your ideal clients can be a good place to look for such questions.
To make your content engaging, use the word “you” often.
It helps readers relate to the information and consider how it pertains to them. Avoid using “I” too frequently, which can disengage readers.
Posting controversial content and asking questions can also engage your audience, as people naturally want to find answers to questions.
Entertaining and educational content is key to growing a community of people interested in your expertise.
Share your personal experiences and engaging stories, along with tips, tricks, and strategies that your audience can easily implement.
Remember that consistency is crucial when it comes to providing high-value content.
Your task for today is to create three to five main topics related to your expertise, along with five to ten sub-topics for each topic.
Then, make a list of ten or more common questions asked about your area of expertise, as well as ten or more questions that your ideal clients should be asking but are not.
By following these steps, you can establish yourself as an expert in your industry and provide valuable content to your audience.
Next Up: Step 6
Congrats! At this point you’ve nailed your expertise focus, are behaving as the expert you want to become, and you have your website handled. Now, it’s time to move on and form some partnerships for fast growth.
