Want to become known online?
Attracting prospective customers and getting them to buy from you online can be challenging. The first step in successfully cultivating a great relationship with your customers is to get them to know, like and trust you. This post is the first in a three-part series I will be publishing on this topic.
How do prospective customers find you if? You need to become known online.
Customers will usually do an internet search for either your company, if they’ve already heard of you, or the problem they’re searching for a solution to. Either way, you want your website to be found by those you’re trying to impress, and this is where the content of your website can help.
Once they’ve found your site, what does the information say about you? Your content needs to be clear, easy to navigate and easy to read.
Getting known online is a process. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen … if you start with the right tools.
Here are 7 tips to help you become known online:
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Know who you’re talking to
You can’t be all things to all people. Who is your target market? Who is your ideal customer? You may benefit from preparing a buyer persona or ideal client profile which details the personal details, occupation, interests, income and habits of the person you’re aiming to attract. You can source a photo and give them a name.
Once you have a good idea of who your target audience is, you need to write your copy with your ideal customer in mind. Write as though you are speaking to your ideal customer.
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Demonstrate your knowledge
If you’re in business, especially if you’ve been established for a while, you’ll have accumulated a substantial amount of knowledge. By sharing your insights and knowledge with readers, it builds your credibility and helps you work towards the coveted “know, like and trust” factor.
Think of the problems you regularly solve for customers and write content which addresses that issue. Always aim to add value to your reader and be as helpful as possible, as this helps in the next phases of the process, which are the LIKE and TRUST factors. Think about what keeps them awake at night and address those issues – offer a solution to their problems.
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Create great content
What will you post on your website? What do your customers want to know? Remember they’ve come to your site because they’re seeking an answer to a question or a solution to a problem they are experiencing. By getting to know your customers and asking what they’re looking for, you can create content which addresses their issue.
You can’t make assumptions here. Answering frequently asked questions is a great place to start. If you already have existing customers, survey them to find out what they’d like to know about your products or services.
Know your business, know your core topics and write content which focuses on your core business.
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Write and share a free product that adds value to your target market
Creating a free product which people want to share is a popular way to grow your audience and become known online. This could be an eBook, cheat sheet, planner or digital recording, for example. These are relatively simple to create and offer on your site.
Not sure what to write about? Ask your customers what their biggest concerns are and design your product to address one of those issues or concerns.
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Create a blog and post regularly
Most websites have a Blog page, many of which are empty. This is one of the greatest untapped resources small business owners can capitalise on. A blog is a prime opportunity for you to communicate with your clients on a regular basis. Blogging is a great way to help your business become known online, and it can help your search ranking too, which is a bonus!
Not sure where to start with your blog? Make a list of questions you’re asked on a regular basis, ask your readers what they want more of, be interesting, be creative and generously share your knowledge. Your blog is one of the best opportunities you have to build your status as an industry expert.
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Share an expert’s knowledge – interview them
If you don’t feel confident in your own experience, or you’ve run out of topics to blog about, you may choose to interview an industry expert. Most people are pretty forthcoming if you ask to interview them. You could do a written post or an audio post for this.
Tapping into the expertise of an authority underpins your own credibility. You may even be lucky enough to have the interviewee share your post with their audience – always ask, they can only say no!
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Network, network, network!
Get active on social media. Post regularly and build your profile. Be sure to complete your profile with:
- All the pertinent details about you and what you do
- A recent photo where you look friendly and approachable
- Be sure to include your contact information
Join social media groups which cover your industry. Local buy swap and sell pages can also be helpful in getting known in your own area. Answer people’s questions and be as helpful as possible. Ensure you have a link to your business website in your personal profile, so that people can click through and find out more about your business.
These are just a few tips to get you started in becoming known online. The next post in this series will explore “How to get customers to like you online”.
