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How to Establish a Stronger Digital Footprint
Asserting your authority online is all about two things - credibility and trust. Two things that can be difficult to establish for any business, but often feel completely out of reach for smaller businesses.
Determining whether or not you have an established digital footprint is as easy as Googling yourself…or your business. If nothing of any real gravity comes back (or nothing comes back at all), then no - you have no digital footprint.
If you are serious about becoming an authority in your niche, you need to work on getting your name out in the open. Something that takes time, but isn’t always as difficult as it sounds.
In fact, there are at least five things you can do right now to give your digital footprint a nudge in the right direction:
1. Publish Podcasts
The popularity of podcasts is at an all-time high, and is accelerating at its fastest ever pace. A podcast provides those hosting it with instant credibility, authority and appeal. All of which counts double if you can get influencers or known figures of any kind to take part. The more platforms you fit your poor podcasts on - iHeartRadio, Audible, Spotify, iTunes and so on - the more likely they are to gain traction.
2. Give Interviews
The same approach can be adopted in reverse - why not get yourself featured as a guest in other publishers’ podcasts? Or for that matter, their Q&A sessions, blog posts and so on? When you’re quizzed or interviewed about a niche-specific topic, it instantly gives the impression you know what you’re talking about. Exactly what you need to be doing to build an image of authority online.
3. Pitch Articles to Publishers
Guest posting has always been one of the best ways of asserting authority and earning credibility. A guest post gives the impression that you’re of such relevance and importance that you were selected over and above anyone else. Even if it was you that did the outreach and worked tirelessly to get your guest post featured, it still sends a hugely influential message to the reader.
4. Create a Course
One of the most effective ways to convince others you’re a genuine expert in your field is to offer a course, a tutorial or a training programme of some kind. After all, nobody would go so far as to create a course on something they weren’t the ultimate authority in…right? Even if it is a relatively simple or remedial instructional you hand out for free, it could still work in your favour. One more thing people see you’ve accomplished and used to assess your authority, if and when checking you out online.
5. Publish Quality Content Regularly
Last up, establishing a strong digital footprint and building authority is all about the evidence. That being, the physical proof you have that you’re as good as you claim to be. This is something that can be achieved over time by publishing the highest quality content on a regular basis. In particular, things like white paper reports, case studies, downloadable PDFs and eBooks tend to carry the most weight of all. Though anything of genuine quality and relevance that bears your name can only work in your favour.