Start Showing Up Online: Visibility Part 2/5

Here is the deal: You're a business owner in the sea of other business owners online and you're struggling to be seen, heard and taken seriously. This 5 part blog series will take you through strategies to show up online. It IS possible to stand out and be noticed. Some of you may take this information and run with it, some will read it and never implement the strategies into their business. I am urging you to take this info and run with it. We want you to succeed, but the choice is yours to put the work into your business. The goal is to not only become more visible online and seen as the expert in your field, but you want to be able to turn the relationships with people and leads into paying clients. 
So are you ready to go all in? If so.. Read on!

 Part 1 

The only reasons you'd want to show up online is to meet people, make friends, create relationships and offer your services and opportunities to those that could benefit from what you have to offer. It's important to be able to recognize the needs of the people you are offering your services to. Relationships, recognizing needs, and then offer opportunities and services IF the relationship calls for it. Knowing your niche, and what kinds of clients you want is crucial to where you want to show up online. Here are a few more ways you can do just that:

CREATE AND OFFER VALUE!
1. Host Free Challenges
Could there possibly be a better way to target your niche by hosting a free challenge related to the services you offer? If there is a problem you can solve for your niche that you can walk them through with an online group challenge, offer it! Offering value to your niche builds trust. You can make a ton of new connections this way as well. It shows your authority and creates a loyal following. The most effective challenges last anywhere from 5 - 10 days. Any longer than that and challengers may end up losing interest.
Make sure that the challenge is effective, with a clear actionable step each day that will lead to a concise result at the end of the challenge. Keep in mind that these challenges give the participants a feel for how you would normally work. This will be one of the best ways to grow your list and create new relationships.

2. Run Giveaways
Hosting a giveaway is a great way to reach people and to have them discover your business. Another great way to grow your list. The key is to give something of value (I smell a theme here...) that your target market wants. This can be one of your services, products or a bundle of programs or a mix of everything from you and even other business owners.
*HINT* KingSumo is a great app to run seamless giveaways from multiple social media sites and sharing so you can reach more people effortlessly.

3. Create An Offer
Without building the foundations of knowing, liking and trusting with potential clients, it's difficult to get get clients in the door. Using these tips through this series will help you increase your authority, expertise and help you over deliver with value. In the meantime, create a no brainer offer that your niche can't say not to. 
What is something you can offer that has HIGH value (THEME!) that will allow you to create a relationship and show potential clients what you have to offer. THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A FREE OFFER.
I am a designer, I can EASILY charge a new clients $700-$800 for a full branding package. I could advertise a mini branding package for $150. I think a good range for an epic offer is around $50-$150 - and amount that most people wouldn't second guess themselves on spending. If something comes up as $200+, they start thinking about how they are spending their money. Make the offer super enticing. Be specific and don't generalize it. People want to know what they'll be spending their money on so they can make the impulse purchase on your offer!

CREATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER LEADERS
1. Comment On Other Blogs
This is a great way to increase your credibility online. Other bloggers LOVE comments and interaction on their pages. It makes it LOOK like others are reading their blog which is great for their visibility and credibility as a blogger as well. I always take notice of people that comment and love having conversations with those people. Be helpful and authentic in your own blog comments!
Find some relevant blogs related to you own content, but not quite the same thing. Go and comment on them weekly! Find about 3-5 that you can follow and comment on religiously. Don't spread yourself too thin. The more you follow the more you will resent reading them all!
Supporting other blogs is a great way to increase visibility, relationships and will also link back to your own site.

2. Guest Posting
Guest posting is a lot easier that you think. Start a google search with your niche and "write for us" or "contribute" after it. Make sure you do a bit of background check on these sites to make sure the vibe matches with your blog and your message. Keep a list of these places and make sure when you submit, you are following post guidelines and your piece matches the style of the place you are submitting it to. This expands your readership for FREE and creates a whole new way to achieve authority and expertise in your field.

3. Collabs and Partnerships
Not everyone will be your ideal client or need your services, but chances are they know someone who does. This is why it is SO important to connect and create relationships with all kinds of people. You never know who is watching you and you never know who they know. You can connect with someone in a different field but with a similar audience to create something amazing together that you ideal clients will love you for. Be a guest expert on webinars, podcasts, group training, calls, event speakers, or even run a giveaway together.

READ PART 3