5 low-cost ways to market yourself as an expert
Small business owners don’t have the luxury of high-end video. Fortunately, your followers No matter your industry, expertise sells. But if you’re a small business, you probably don’t have the budget to hire a full-time PR person.
Short of becoming a speaker on TED, how can you convince the world you know your stuff?
You’re well on your way to authority by running your business like a boss. But if you need to demonstrate your expertise without emptying your pockets, try these 5 outlets first.
Tip #1: Instagram Stories
IG Story videos are super short and last 15 seconds. That’s not a lot of time, but it’s still a great way to quickly connect with followers in your niche.
Try filming at least once a week, offering content like:
Very quick tips
An amusing story (that’s related to your business)
Behind the scenes
Product or feature teasers
The sky’s the limit! Use this short-form video format to entice people to check out your feed.
Tip #2: LinkedIn videos
LinkedIn videos are better if you’re targeting a B2B audience. But even then, this is a critical platform for proving your mettle as an expert.
You can go live on LinkedIn, but if that’s not your jam, share a pre-recorded video once a week. Try to post on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays to get the most traction with viewers.
Don’t forget the hashtags, either! Instagram is known for its hashtags, but they’re just as important on LinkedIn.
Tip #3: HARO
Help A Reporter Out (HARO) is a fantastic free resource for small business owners. Subscribe to their daily emails to get pitch requests from journalists. If a pitch sounds like a fit for your business, simply reply to the journalist with your contact information.
You’d be amazed at how many high-profile features you can get this way! We’ve seen clients get featured on Good Morning America, Forbes, and USA Today through HARO.
Tip #4: Podcast Interviews
It’s official: America has a podcast addiction. Podcast subscriptions are growing in popularity every year, and that gives you another chance to let your expert voice shine.
HARO is a great resource for podcast interviews, actually. You can also look for podcasts in your niche and see if they accept interview requests. A lot of podcasts are thirsty for expert opinions!
Tip #5: Write an Amazon eBook
“Write a book” sounds like a daunting task, but hear us out. Writing an online eBook is way less resource-intensive than writing a paperback book with a publisher. The process is less rigorous and puts your words in front of thousands of people instantly.
We recommend writing your eBook and posting it to Amazon. Here’s a quick guide to get you started.
Authority-building takes time. This is definitely a long-term strategy, but it’s possible to build your expertise for free with the right moves. Try these 5 authority-building tips to not only become a respected professional in your field, but to bring more customers to your doorstep.