Seattle Community

Dex_phoenix

Online Marketing Consultant & Copywriter
Richmond, Virginia
Greatly helpful
8.0
out of 10
4 votes

Look Like An Expert – The Secret To Getting More Clients

Do you consider yourself an expert? Chances are, the answer is yes. Read on to find out how to look like the expert you really are when people check you out online, pondering whether to do business with you.
Written Mar 15, 2012, read 1492 times since then.
Closed_info

 

I have a question for you: Do you consider yourself to be an expert in what you do? Chances are that the answer is yes. But do you look like an expert, especially when people look you up online? The answer to that may not be quite so affirmative…

Yet if you think about it, it’s pretty obvious. If people out there just knew how much of an expert you really are in your field, you’d get a lot more business! That’s because people LOVE to do business with the go-to person – the expert!

How to Look Like An Expert

So what does it take to look like an expert online? There are a lot of possible moving parts, yet it all boils down to three key things:

  • Get found online
  • Look like an expert ON your website
  • Look like an expert BEYOND your website

Let's look at them in detail...

a) Get found online

The fact that you're found online doesn’t necessarily mean that you look like an expert, but it’s the first requirement – because if people can’t find you, they sure won’t have a chance to be impressed by your expertise.

There are several aspects to getting found. The first is making sure that your website is optimized to be found on Google searches. When people look for someone like you, you want to come up front and center! And not in the ads section, though you can ALSO be listed there. But it’s important to also be listed in the organic search results. That’s what really gives you credibility.

In addition, there are other ways to get found, for example through press releases, articles or videos. More about that a little later.

b) Look like an expert on your website

What does your website say about you? Do you look like you know your stuff?

Your website is your own primary real estate, and it is your big chance to, yes, look like an expert. With that I don’t mean list all your credentials and publish your resume. That can actually turn people off.

Instead, remember the phrase “show, don’t tell." If you’ve ever taken a writing class, I’m sure you’ve heard it. Here, it means that you should demonstrate your expertise by providing great information that makes it very obvious that you know what you’re talking about. It also provides value and turns you into the sought-after resource you want to be.

c) Look like an expert beyond your website

Once people check you out on your website, they usually take another step before they decide to hire you: They check you out online. Yes, they want to know what else is out there about you, and by you. And you should see to it that there is plenty for them to find that makes you look good.

Here are just a few ideas of what you can do to ensure that you look impressive once people Google your name:

  • Write and publish articles (and become an expert author)
  • Write and publish press releases
  • Host teleseminars (or webinars) and publicize them
  • Write books and/or white papers
  • Create videos
  • Join professional networking sites and get active 

And here’s the bonus tip I mentioned above… 

If you do all of these things, or even some of them, people have a lot more ways to find you than just having your website come up in the search results. They can find your articles, your videos, your press releases, and much more. There are lots of ways for people to find you, and the best thing – all those ways will result in very targeted prospects, which is the best kind! 

So if you do your job well, people looking for you online will find lots of impressive material – and you will look like the obvious expert that you actually are – and get more prospects wanting to do business with you.

Online Marketing Consultant & Copywriter 
Richmond, Virginia 
Elisabeth Kuhn

Elisabeth Kuhn, an online marketing expert and copywriter, helps business owners get found online and look like the experts they really are. Get your free report at http://www.richmondwebmarketing.com and at http://www.LookLikeAnExpert.com

Learn more about the author, Elisabeth Kuhn.

Comment on this article

  • Business Growth Consultant 
Chicago, Illinois 
Andrew Clarke
    Posted by Andrew Clarke, Chicago, Illinois | Mar 16, 2012

    I've found that different types of people search for different things when it comes to being considered an expert. For example, some people zoom in to my bio, others read my case studies, others read general articles, others look at testimonials, etc.

    So the idea of "getting yourself out there" across multiple platforms and media is extremely important. One of the biggest challenges is to maintain a consistent image across all the different platforms and media. There's nothing wrong with having and showing real personality, but if it gets too wild and out of control, it can hurt your image as a professional and expert. In the end, it isn't just about competence, its also about trust. And trust builds slowly, but goes away quickly.

  • Marketing and Business Consultant 
Los Angeles, California 
Rob Valerio
    Posted by Rob Valerio, Los Angeles, California | Mar 16, 2012

    Thank you for the clear explanation. I like how you highlight that google isn't the only show in town. Being seen as an expert on many sites seems to build trust in those who don't know you personally yet. Great job.

  • Custom Home Builder and Residential Remodeling 
Seattle, Washington 
Kathryn Minturn
    Posted by Kathryn Minturn, Seattle, Washington | Mar 18, 2012

    Thank you, Elizabeth. It think it's important to remember that much of what we say and do on-line is recorded so this gives us a chance portray ourselves as being professionals with a personality.

  • Landscape Designer / Installer 
Marysville, Washington 
Bryan Fosmark
    Posted by Bryan Fosmark, Marysville, Washington | Mar 24, 2012

    Great article! I agree with these principles, both online and in the community. It's so great to get involved in other's lives, and touch their hearts. Thank you Elizabeth.

  • Online Marketing Consultant & Copywriter 
Richmond, Virginia 
Elisabeth Kuhn
    Posted by Elisabeth Kuhn, Richmond, Virginia | Mar 30, 2012

    Thanks you so much for your kind comments, Rob, Andrew, Katryn, and Bryan!

    I really appreciate your taking the time to respond and share your thoughts.

Closed_info