How to Become an Online Expert

If you want to get your business “out there” in the mindspace of Internet users, one of the best things you can do is set yourself up as an expert. Becoming an online expert can raise your own visibility, help your personal brand and draw more attention to your business.

An expert is a trusted resource, and when people see that you are associated with your business, and that you offer helpful information and ideas, you will be more likely to find that you and your company are thought of more often. Plus, is you brand yourself properly, your company will come up more often when potential customers search keywords related to your area of expertise.

 

Sign Up with an Online Expert Platform

As an online expert, you can share your knowledge with others directly, one on one. An online expert platform can provide you an easy place to offer help to others. You can provided coaching, advice and other services. These platforms can help you manage your schedule as well as even allow you to get paid for sharing. This is a good option if you want to combine consulting with your efforts to become an online expert.

 

Set Up Consistent Social Media Profiles

One of the most important steps to becoming an online expert is setting up consistent social media profiles. Social media marketing is a big part of today’s landscape, including business marketing. You should have two different profiles when you are on social media: one for your company’s brand, and one for you.

You can mention your company on your personal profile, and this is a good idea if you are looking to use your status as online expert to bring greater visibility to your business. When setting up your social media profiles, make sure that you:

• Use a professional headshot for all of your profiles so that you are recognizable.
• Describe yourself consistently in your profiles, and use keywords related to the expertise you are trying to convey.
• Be judicious about the things you post, whether it’s on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or any other network. You want to come across as thoughtful and smart — and you don’t want to do something on your personal profile as an expert that tarnishes the reputation of your business.

Remember that, as you build your reputation as an online expert and you use it to help your business, you want to appear professional.

 

Sign Up for HARO

One of my favorite websites is HARO. Help A Reporter Out is a great way to connect with members of the mainstream media, bloggers, podcasters and journalists. Sign up to receive email requests from media, and you can be chosen as an expert for a number of outlets. I’ve used HARO successful both as a journalist and as a source. Answering HARO requests have even landed me on TV. As a journalist, I love sources that answer quickly. I’ve used sources that have answered my journalist requests in major publications and on public television websites. You can boost your visibility if you persist with HARO, and even be added to some serious Rolodexes.

 

Write for Major Publications

While journalists are often paid to write for major publications, it’s possible to write pieces as an online expert. You can increase your credibility and visibility by writing for major publications. It might be a one-time op-ed, or you might have an agreement to write two or three times a month. You might not get paid, but if your goal is to be more visible on behalf of your business, it might be worth it.
Your business can benefit from your status as an online expert. With the right approach and some effort, you can take up more area in the mindspace of the Internet and increase the recognizability of your business.

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