The Savvy Entrepreneur

I’m discussing writing as an effective method to gaining expert status first, since it’s one of the fastest ways of getting the word out. It’s strange but true: Your expert status will immediately increase when people see your name published.

Most writing venues cost little to nothing. Some of these venues are:

• articles
• newsletters
• press releases
• blogs
• ebooks and other informational products
• books
• white papers

Keep these points in mind when writing with the goal of getting known as an expert in your field:

• Don’t confuse this method with copy or advertising; refrain from blatantly selling or promoting your services.
• Don’t be stingy. Generously impart useful and practical information.
• Content is key. Avoid being overly general. Be laser focused and write with the needs of your target market in mind.
• Spell check and get someone to proofread.
• For more ‘formal’ pieces (like press releases, articles, products), hire a professional to write for you.
• Let readers know how to find out more about you (that’s the point, right?). When appropriate, include a bio and link to your site.
• Persevere. You won’t become an expert overnight, but don’t give up. The fruits of your labor WILL eventually manifest.

At first, you may think it’s counterintuitive to not promote your business when writing. The truth is, if you mask your piece as a business ad or promotion, you’ll actually hinder your chances of achieving expert status — you’ll be seen as someone only interested in making a sale with nothing valuable to offer. No one wants to be sold. People will quickly stop reading anything you publish and your reputation will be tarnished. Not only that, you’ll be removed from online article submission sites, editors won’t print your work, people will stop reading your blog and newsletters and no one will buy your products.

When writing, you sell yourself by giving valuable information and sharing what you know. Again, this may not make sense to you at first, but believe me, it’s the only way.

If you share your knowledge and expertise with your readers, they’ll think, “If I’m getting all this practical, high quality information for free, imagine how much more I’ll get if I hire him/her!” I’m not suggesting you give EVERYTHING away. Keep your “trade secrets,” programs, processes, etc. for paying clients. You want to give away just enough so your audience feels like they’re getting new and useful information.

Only WHEN your readers feel they know, like and trust you enough as an expert, will they be incited to find out more about your services — THEN your copy and promotional text comes in the picture.

I can talk so much more about this. There’s tons of information written on this subject; I won’t repeat what’s already been said.

If writing is not yet part of your marketing strategy, I HIGHLY recommend you start implementing it right away. Search the internet for more information. Brainstorm. Hire a coach. Start journaling. Do ANYTHING that will help you get started. You don’t have to be a great writer (I certainly am not), you just have to know what you’re talking about. Be transparent, honest, passionate. Have an opinion. Let YOU — your personality — come through. The more you write, the better you’ll get and the more you’ll like it.

Boost your visibility and credibility, and earn your status as an expert in your field by writing. When you see the positive results, you’ll ask why you didn’t start sooner.