One great strategy for ATTRACTING clients to you is to establish yourself as an expert in your niche.
It goes without saying that you need to have expertise to establish yourself as an expert. For example, with no background in accounting it would be just silly for me to try to establish myself as an expert in accounting. I am however, an expert in getting clients, so that is where my focus on “establishing myself as the expert” lays.
So, how do you establish yourself as an expert?
Live it! You need to believe in yourself. Know you are the expert. Own it. If you don’t believe you are the expert, no one else will either.
Be authentic. You’re the real deal.
Tout your education. Do you have any Credentials? A certification? Specialized Education?
Understand and solve your client’s struggles. Have a clear understanding of the BENEFITS of working with you and let your clients know you understand.
Write, write and write some more. Blog on your topic, write articles or even a book! Publish a newsletter or e-zine.
Offer assistance. Answer questions, share your expert knowledge with your (online and offline) networks.
Build a portfolio of your work. Can you show off what you do? A picture is worth a thousand words.
Get testimonials. Ask your happy clients to write a testimonial on what you have done for them.
Discover:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Solo Entrepreneur. Solo Entrepreneur said: RT @JenniferDavey: Clients Want Experts http://ow.ly/181eL8 [...]
Great Article Jennifer!
I used to work for one of the top public relation firms in the world (Porter Novelli) and they advised everyone who wanted to get more media to establish themselves as an expert to:
- Write articles, a book is even better. If you don’t have a whole book in you, write one chapter and work with the other authors (if you edit the book, you look like even more of an expert!) to make this colaboration an effective marketing tool for all of you.
- Teach: Even if it’s a community college or local library, if you can teach a subject, people will want to learn more from you.
- Speak: At a round table, keynote speach or even a short (5-10 minute) presentation for a local group, speaking gives you authority. As a BNI member, I speak about twice a year for 10 minutes to my chapters 33 members, and the guests we have all invited.
- Coach: For free or paid, coaching helps you learn more (teaching is a great way to learn) and the person you coach becomes your walking commercial for your knowledge and experience
Awesome blog.Thanks Again. Fantastic.