This is a guest post by Corry Cummings. If you want to become a guest blogger, click here to view my guidelines.
Once you have found a niche market in which you can compete, your next step is to become known as an authority or influential figure in the subject area. Most people consider influential figures in niche markets to be experts that got lucky enough to find a market and worked hard to become well known in it. However, this is not always entirely true. There are 5 steps to becoming influential in your niche with your content.
Even if you are not a great writer, it is important that you are making sure that your content writers are on the same page as you when it comes to showcasing your content to reach your goals. With that said, you can use the following steps to become a powerful authority on the Internet, no matter who is doing your writing for you.
1. Stay Active and Solve Problems
As you first begin to get your name recognized in your niche, remain very active on the subject forums and other people’s blogs. This can include responding to posts with additional comments or suggestions, writing guest blog posts on other sites and answering questions that people may ask on your niche topic’s forums. When you do so, you can link back to your blog or web site to encourage readers to visit your site and read other opinions and advice that you have to offer.
2. Use a Series of Articles on Your Blog
One way to establish authority on a subject is to write a series of articles exploring the finer aspects of the broad topic. By doing so, you allow your readers plenty of opportunities to link to your blog multiple times for different topics. This series of articles can last for as long as you need it to. Remember, the longer your series of articles, the more time your readers have to locate your information. In addition, if readers enjoy reading one post, they are very likely to read the rest of the articles in your series.
3. Create an eBook or Book
You can quickly become influential in a niche market if you can create the authority reference for the subject. One way to accomplish this is by writing an expansive and valuable ebook. You may not even need to charge people for distribution of the book. Simply having your name on such a powerful resource can be enough to drive visitors to your personal blog or web site.
4. Don’t Be Modest
If you are recognized in your niche market, do not hesitate to publish such an achievement on your web site or blog. For example, if you are chosen to do an interview on your subject area, this might be an excellent opportunity to create a post stating that the interview took place. You can link to that interview so that your readers can verify the claim.
5. Pay Attention to Your Audience
Once you have some established members, make sure that you are treating them well by catering to their needs. For example, if you notice that you are drawing a great deal of members that do not have any experience at all with your niche subject area, consider asking them what they would like to know and writing a post or article is response. This sort of approach helps to humanize your web site and can draw more members to your content.
Corry Cummings is the owner of Content Customs, a content creation company that specializes in high quality web content writing services. He also runs a blog over at Content Customs, which is managed and written by one of the head writers of the company.
image by: notsogoodphotography
Related posts:
- 3 Easy Steps To Find A Profitable Niche
- 2 More Effective Ways To Resurrect Old Blog Content
- 11 Characteristics of Highly Influential Blogs
- Effective Niche Market Research Strategy With Ezinearticles
- Creative Blog Writing Ideas For Content
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: alexwideman
July 16, 2010 at 5:11 am
Great post Corry. Writing a series of posts that really dig into the details is a great technique that more people should make use of. As you said, series’ are awesome link bait opportunities and will have readers coming back again and again. If the series is impressive, authorities in your niche will often link to you because of the great value it provides. This can send a rush of traffic and will definitely boost your backlink profile.
I know your points are in no particular order, but I definitely wouldn’t put pay attention to your audience as number five. Building relationships and a community from day one is one of the keys to success in any niche, especially the blogging community. If you build trust, your readers will feel more comfortable purchasing the products you recommend because they value your opinion.
Thanks for the tips man! – Alex
Alex Wideman´s last blog ..The First and Hopefully Last Post
This is very true, it is very important to pay attention to the needs and voices of the audience. They also bring a good impact to you and to your niche.
Sydney Seaplanes´s last blog ..Private Romantic Cruise For Two – Paynesville Marina- Gippsland Lakes
I’d love to see a blog about creating an ebook for these purposes. I did a bit of research on it but it seem as though a free ebook would probably never even be found amongst the clutter. an ideas?
Twitter: josiahstaggs
July 16, 2010 at 10:17 am
Good stuff Jack. I’m still working on finding my niche lol. I’ll definitely consider these things when the time comes though. Thanks!
Josiah @ Free iPhone 4´s last blog ..New iPod Touch Rumors Begin
Twitter: blogreaction
July 16, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Thanks Jack. I agree with solving problems. There is no better way to increase your readership and professionalism than by answering questions and becoming the niche expert.
Aaron@Free Blogs´s last blog ..Free Blogs
In regards to number 5, one great way to do that, is to log threw your stats for your website, and see what people are typing in the search engines to get to your website! You can usually find a few phrases that people are looking for information that you don’t yet have articles directly written yet for them! And there you will be able to create new content and become even more connected with your user base! Surprisingly I actually picked this tip up by watching a Matt Cutt’s video on youtube.
Till then,
Jean
used tires´s last blog ..Places to buy used tires
Great post Corry and I’d like to add something to your list – being original and I dont’ just mean having non-duplicate content, I mean looking at things from a different angle then any of the other industry blogs because it sure frustrates me when I see the same story covered on loads of different platforms without any particular twist or commentary….it just puts me off if I visit a new blog and dont find anything that I dont already know.
Writing series has been very successful for me. One thing I found that worked well was to mention the upcoming series a few times in the week or two before you start. I saw a sizable spike in RSS subscribers most of the time I did this.
Nice tips Corry. Another good idea is to provide something good. Either good tool relevant to niche. Say for example, a weight loss website can offer free BMI Calculator or Weight Loss Related tools. That’ll help a lot to spread words easily.
As a young professional, I think I have the most problems with #4. I am one of the few not looking for “internet celebrity” and often find myself being extremely modest when it comes to my expertise. Hopefully as I build more and more knowledge, and become officially certified in more areas, I will be able to break out of my shell.
Thanks for the write up.
Creating an ebook is the one thing that I haven’t tried. It sued a lot of time and is very hard.
Paul @ Entertainment Tonight´s last blog ..Lumina on GMA 7
Thanks for this timely post – I am currently planning on starting a blog for my claims recovery site and can now see the value in the variety of content that I should post. I can definitely see how an ebook my apply to my niche.
Keep us posted on the ebook setup and how that all goes. Im really interested in learning some more on that
It’s funny because I just spoke to my mother on skype and we where talking about me working on becoming a leader in my niche. She told me an old Sicilian “Say”: Make a name and sell vinegar. Meaning once you have build a good name in your industry people will trust you whatever you sell them.
Great information, I’m researching as much as I can and trying to educate myself on the aspects of blogging. Hopefully because of reading your posts I’ll walk away with a little more knowledge, right now it just seems a little overwhelming.
I like blog writers who make their own ebook and give them out to those who would want them for free. Also, I always visit blog sites which really take good care of their readers, even if just answering a few simple questions. This simple gesture may eventually lead to developing meaningful ties to others, as well as creating good ambience to one’s blog site. Nice post, very well said.
Felicia @ No deposit poker´s last blog ..HighStakes- Swede takes home 40k pot with royal flush
Great post, its always good to become an expert in your niche but if the niche is very saturated it might be kinda hard so just follow these tips and it should help you become more well known.
Twitter: jacknguyencom
July 23, 2010 at 2:23 pm
everyone’s an expert in something….anything……do what you like and you’ll like what you do.
Twitter: pravin sharma
July 24, 2010 at 3:41 am
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Used Machinery´s last blog ..Mechanism at its best……!
Twitter: mothersland
July 27, 2010 at 11:48 am
Nice article , thanks for sharing the point Jack. I think the first and the second point are very important, good, quality unique content can also help a lots.
Great write-up , thanks for sharing the place Jack. I consider the primary along with the second point are very important, great, high quality special content may also support a lots.
Twitter: pravin sharma
August 26, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Very nice post and some helpful information. Just want to add one thing to #3. You don’t need to write a full size book to be considered an authority on your subject. I have authored six booklets, and have been called an authority on my subject by people I would call experts. In fact, one of those people wanted to purchase 600,000 copies from me, and I had no previous track record. So, it can be done!
Used Machinery´s last blog ..Mechanism at its best……!
Twitter: apartrental.com
August 29, 2010 at 8:30 pm
good article. I think this is write a series of articles that really dig into the details is a great technique that more people should take advantage. authority in your niche will link to you often because it provides great value. If a site has good content then this can send a peak of traffic and will certainly promote backlink information owner. I agree 100% with problem resolution. There is no better way to increase readership and your professional than by answering questions and became the appropriate professionals. Here are five steps really great to share on this topic for readers in need. I am impressed by your site very much. keep it up this good work. I will return to your post.
Thanks for the article Corry! We all know that content is important but you have given me some new ideas on how to approach it!
Roy@Prestige Sprayers´s last blog ..Commercial On Site Spray Painters – Prestige Sprayers
Twitter: pravin sharma
September 2, 2010 at 12:17 am
useful step..thanks for the tips
Used Machinery´s last blog ..Mechanism at its best……!