Step 6 is all about the power of writing.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a professional writer to get started.
In fact, writing can be very conversational and doesn’t have to be complicated. You’re not trying to write a college thesis paper. If you can talk, you can write!
If you’re not comfortable writing or have negative beliefs about it, there’s an easy solution: use a “Speak to Text” program. You probably already have a free one on your computer, but you can also find them on Amazon.
Simply speak your content, then edit it yourself or hire a freelancer to do it for you. Before you know it, you’ll have a piece of writing!
Writing is a powerful tool that can help establish you as an expert in your field.
Here are three ways to use writing to build your credibility:
- Get published on reputable websites or blogs.
- Build and nurture your email list.
- Write a book.
Let’s go into a bit more depth on this topic – it’s that important to your success as an expert!
Your content should be conversational, not a complex academic paper. And if you can talk, you can write.
If writing feels daunting to you, don’t worry – there are several tools available to make it easier.
Writing can help establish your credibility as an expert in your industry, and there are a few ways to do it effectively:
Get published on reliable websites or blogs
Two easy ways to get quoted and published on established and reliable websites or blogs are:
- Sign up for Help a Reporter Out at HelpAReporter.com. You’ll receive daily or weekly emails with reporters’ requests for short responses. If they choose your response, it’ll be posted on the reporter’s website, along with your name and a link to your website.
- Write guest articles. Search Google for keywords that you want to be found for, and see what sites come up. Check if they accept guest articles, and if so, follow their guidelines and submit your post. Be patient, as it can take some time for your article to be posted. Ensure your article is authentic.
Being featured in the press can help establish instant credibility, as you’ll be written about by a trusted third party (the journalist) in a publication that readers already know and trust.
Here are a few additional tips to consider:
- Contact newspapers and magazines that your ideal clients are likely to be reading, and offer yourself as an expert writer.
- Create a media kit that journalists and radio show hosts can download from your website.
- Repost your blog post on platforms like LinkedIn and Medium to reach more readers.
Don’t Forget About Your Precious Email List
Let’s talk about the importance of loving and nurturing your email list, and how it can impact your relationship with your subscribers.
Firstly, it’s essential to stay in contact with the people on your list.
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of only sending emails during the opt-in sequence and then going radio silent.
It’s like going on a first date and not hearing back from the person you thought it went well with.
To build the Know, Like, and Trust factor with your audience, they need to hear from you regularly, at least twice a month. I recommend sending two to three emails per week.
But your emails don’t need to be lengthy and overwhelming.
You can keep it short and sweet by sharing a quote and explaining what it means to you, sharing a hot tip or strategy, or even including a portion or entire blog post.
You can also share things you believe would interest your subscribers, such as articles or videos from other sources, and invite them to attend your webinars and products.
However, it’s essential to include a call to action in each email, such as encouraging them to read another blog post, sign up for a freebie, join your Facebook group, or watch a video.
I believe in the 80/20 rule for email marketing. 80% of your emails should engage, entertain, and educate your subscribers, while the remaining 20% can be used for selling.
This way, you’ll be building a relationship with your audience while also promoting your products or services.
Another way to establish yourself as an authority in your niche is to write a book. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated, and you can self-publish it.
Being an author can significantly boost your credibility and give you more opportunities to grow your business.
You don’t need to sell thousands of copies to reap the benefits of being a published author.
You can give physical or digital copies to people you meet at conferences, or even as a gift when you speak to an audience.
Your book should provide a solution to a problem that your ideal audience has.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider taking your most popular articles and delving deeper into the subject.
You can also transcribe any webinars or speeches you’ve given and turn them into a book. After all, Amazon makes it easy to self-publish.
So, your task today is to choose your preferred style of writing, list three sites that you would like to be published on and consider the theme of your book if you choose to write one.
Remember to love and nurture your email list regularly and provide valuable content that will keep them engaged and interested in your business.
Next Up: Step 7
Great job! You only have three steps left to go! The next one focuses on using public speaking to increase your visibility and build your authority.
