Declare Your Expertise!

 posted by Pete Nikiel

Andre Agassi said it years ago in a commercial:  Image is everything!

For the record, the commercial was for a camera.  But the message was much, much more meaningful.   Especially in marketing and branding. 

Branding is all about building an image, and continuously meeting all of the expectations of that image.

The best image to build for yourself, your company, your products or services, is one of obvious expertise.  It is simple logic. If you sell construction services, you should be seen as an expert in construction.  If you are going to charge good money for your cooking, you need to come across as an expert in the kitchen.  The best image you can have, if you expect to succeed and profit from your work, is that of an unabashed expert.

So declare your expertise!

No one will know you are an expert if you don't tell them.  That is the general idea behind content marketing.  Through creating and sharing relevant and helpful content you are flaunting your skills and knowledge.  You are not selling your goods or services, you are providing people with information, tips, suggestions on points that are important to them, and related to your business.

Write a blog, publish an eBook, shoot some videos and post them on-line.  Make it instructive.  If you are that expert chef, give some cooking tips or share some recipes.  If you are that construction ace, share some do-it-yourself tips.  If you are a personal injury attorney list some of the most important things to do after you have been in an accident.  

Create this content then let people know it is theirs for taking on your website.  Make them aware of it through the social media, a sign in your store, a note on the back of your business card, anyway you can.

Declare your expertise.  Don't be shy!  Good things will happen.