If you’re an expert who works in your local market, there’s a good chance you face a fair amount of competition.
You might be a coach, consultant or trainer. Or maybe you’re a professional such as a realtor, mortgage lender or interior designer.
Perhaps you have a brick and mortar business and you want to increase foot traffic to your store, restaurant, hair salon, or nursery.
Amazingly, one solution can create incredible results regardless of what your focus, industry or expertise.
You… the “Go To” Expert
Truth be told, working in a local market can be incredibly fulfilling and profitable. Yet, as previously mentioned, you may be dealing with excessive competition.
One of the best ways to stand head and shoulders above the competition is to be viewed as the “go to” expert.
If you’re looking for a great way to increase your visibility and grow your business, a book will definitely position you as an expert.
Consider this, if you have two experts who have an equal amount of time in their industry and a similar skill level, in the consumer’s mind, you are about equal.
Add a book in the mix and suddenly the expert with the book is considered more of an expert. That is, if the book is well done.
Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, now’s a great time to get started. The process doesn’t have to be as difficult as many people make it out to be. If you write emails, blog, post on social media and write to family and friends, you can likely write a book.
Provide a Solution
Whatever you write about, provide a solution.
Your book does not have to be hundreds of pages in length. If you can solve a problem in 30 or 40 pages of information, your potential clients will likely appreciate getting their answer sooner than later.
Once your book is complete, it’s time to market it. Chances are, if you are doing business in your local market already, you know lots of people who would be very interested in your book.
A few of the most effective marketing strategies are listed below.
Media release sent to:
- All local newspapers editors specific to your expertise
- Trade journals
- You can send a copy of the book with the media release, but many editors will not look at it without knowing it’s coming. On any given day they can get dozens or hundreds of pieces of correspondence. It’s best to reach out to editors to see if they want a copy mailed to them. If they say yes, include another copy of the media release, your one sheeter and the book.
Media outreach
- Contact your local paper and ask them if they’d be interested in interviewing you.
- Contact your local radio station and ask them if they’d be interested in having you on their show.
Appearances
- Find out what local organizations have upcoming events and offer to do a presentation for their members.
- Networking events – check Meetup.com to see what events are taking place specific to your market.
- Brown bag lunches hosted by corporations. Many larger companies put Friday lunch time aside to bring in local experts. This could be a winner for you.
- Self-staged or co-sponsored workshop. You can host your own workshop at the local library.
- Local clubs. There are a lot of local clubs and organizations such as the Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis clubs that regularly invite guests to come in and speak. More times than not, these are not paid engagements, but again, it’s a great way to raise awareness about you and your business.
- Carry copies in the trunk of your car. This way you will always have some on hand for anyone you meet who may be a great prospect.
Hitting #1 on Amazon
Even if you work within a local market and look for business in your own backyard, it doesn’t hurt to get your book up on the charts on Amazon. By doing so, you have even more fodder for the media and appearances.
When you do, you can reach out to local media to announce your book hitting #1. Successful authors are something the media loves to profile and write about.
Not sure how to do that? Get my FREE report – Hit #1 on Amazon – www.oneonamazon.com
