While many people still think of a blog as a personal journal, many businesses and individuals are now using this powerful marketing tool to establish authority in their respective niches and to produce record-setting profits in far less time than had ever been done previously. How is this so?
The most powerful tool in the new online media is blogging. Simply put, blogging is one of the most revolutionary marketing tools seen in the past 50 years. Through the vast network that is the Internet, businesses and individuals are promoting themselves, their products and their services in every niche possible with increasing transparency in their communication. Through dedicated and innovative marketing, these pioneers are using blogging as a tool to establish authority in their respective niches, thereby receiving vital recognition and raking in increasing profits at the same time.
The importance of establishing authority
Why is establishing authority so important? Through the Internet, there are consumers for every type of product and service. There are now many more business opportunities than there have ever been in the past, all thanks to the new online media. When you establish authority in your particular niche, you become an industry leader and, from that, consumers start to seek out your products and services instead of the traditional marketing process, where marketers seek out consumers.
Establishing authority through blogging is completely opposite to the old way of generating business. In the past, businesses marketing a product had to interrupt your activity to bring a product or service to your attention. For example, a TV commercial interrupts the show you are watching and may be perceived as an annoyance. Now, for every online product and service, consumers are seeking out the business. When someone types in your product or service into Google, are you on the front page?
It doesnʼt matter whether you sell concrete or provide a freelance service; every type of business or service can benefit from engaging the endless supply of niche consumers that exist online.
How do you establish authority?
Authority is not something that comes easily or quickly. However, it can take far less time to
establish authority than by marketing to traditional media outlets such as television, radio, and newspaper. Most authorities in the blogosphere, for example, have only been blogging for a few years.
For example, letʼs take some well-known bloggers in the “make money online” niche, such
as Problogger, Shoemoney, and John Chow. All of them have been blogging for less than three years, but they are linked to endlessly and are seen as authority figures in their respective niches.
Of course, it is not only about the amount of time it takes to be perceived as an authority figure - the authors of the above sites have been blogging with a goal of not just engaging, but helping their readers and by marketing themselves and their products in continually innovative ways.
Establish authority by gaining credibility
Many people are now starting blogs to simply “make money online,” but if you can delay the
temptation for instant monetary gratification (e.g., plastering Adsense Ads on your site), you
will establish credibility and long-term trust at a much faster rate.
Remember, before you gain authority you must gain credibility. By sacrificing short-term profit, you will show your target audience that you are committed to the greater good of serving your audience instead of bombarding them with ads. Ultimately, to gain credibility, you must help people and not just advertise to them.
Whatever niche you are in, take the time to become an authority. Start by building your community of followers and by implementing an intelligently conceived marketing plan. The
barriers to entering the world of online business are extremely low, so more people are hopping onboard everyday. Remember this, and do everything you can to implement your master plan for success!
Authority Through Blogging
