Marketing online these days requires much more than slapping up a name squeeze page, sending out a series of auto-responder messages and then waiting for the sales to come pouring in.

An online business is a business. It takes time and effort to become successful at it.

Just like when a client walks into a business on main street USA, they want to feel like they are getting value for their dollar. The client wants to know that they can have any questions answered, they will be provided with after sale service, and that the product will be worth the price they paid for it. The client needs to feel at ease with you and your store before they will spend their money in it.

In the world of social networking and web 2.0, communicating with people and establishing business relationship is becoming increasingly important.

Gone are the days of hiding behind your name squeeze page never to be known by anyone…at all…ever (I laugh because that use to be me)

One of the ways to do this is through branding and making your name known online. Branding yourself as an expert in your niche will help put your client at ease, They will trust that you know what you’re talking about and feel more confident in giving you their business.

Here are 5 things you can start doing today to brand yourself and expert.

1. Be One - Learn as much as you can about your niche. Purchase books, talk to people, find out what your client wants. Knowledge is crucial. Never under estimate the power of educating yourself through ebooks, audios, courses, your local library. Doing this is not time or money wasted. The knowledge you gather will be your greatest asset.
2. Establish an online image - It’s not just about your product anymore…it’s about you too! Smile, snap a picture or two and get them up on your website. Let people see you. What do you like, dislike. What are your dreams. What do you like to do on a Sunday afternoon. Little tid-bits about your life, that help to establish you as a real person. No, you don’t have to tell all, but be honest in what you do tell (Check out a recent post on that)
3. Give them what they want with content - Continue to provide content that is fresh, accurate and is being searched for and sought out. You can do this through blogging, article writing or information products. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Remember, your readers want to know a bit about you as well as what you know.
4. Be available and interactive with the people in you niche that are seeking you out. Stop by a few forums at least once a week, set up a profile on a social networking site (my favorite is Myspace). You want to get people asking questions on your blog, be sure to respond to them. Start conversations on the forums, or stop by other blogs that you enjoy reading and comment when you have something interesting to add.
5. Make sure your web site is easy to read and loads quickly. Does the look of your website fit who you are? Is it pleasing to the eye? You want people to want to come back and visit you often. Ask them to bookmark your page, or join your RSS feed.

Be patient. This is certainly not going to happen for you over night. You have to make a commitment to your online business. Put the time and the effort in and you WILL see the benefits.

Once you brand yourself an expert. People will know who you are, listen to what you have to say and trust it, and keep coming back for more!

attraction marketing, brand, branding, communicating online, expert, niche, relationship marketing, Social Networking, Web 2.0

Stumble it!

If you enjoyed this entry, be sure to Subscribe to my RSS Feed

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Share This  | | Email This Post  |  Print It  |  Subscribe!
This entry was posted on Thursday, April 5th, 2007 at 5:55 am and is filed under Web 2.0, Social Networking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.