By Brooke Chaplan
To open doors to new positions, better pay, greater respect, and other opportunities in your industry, you need people to realize that your business is an industry expert, capable of leading others to success. Whatever your field, your ability to become an authority depends not only on your knowledge and skills, but also your overall image. Follow these tips to boost your image so colleagues and customers will see you in a new light.
Pursue Professional Accreditation
No matter the industry, you must prove your knowledge and skills through official channels for others to consider you an authority. Professional accreditation might involve studying for a degree, such as a bachelors in occupational safety online for the latest in work safety and management, or taking yearly certification courses that relate to changes in terminology, legislation, or tools used in your industry.
Speak at Events
Your perceived position in your industry relies on your online and offline professional and social presence, including your face-to-face interactions in local public and industry-related settings. When you speak to others either in person or on a stage about your industry in a professional and authoritative fashion, you immediately make yourself known as the person that everyone should want to know to better understand your industry.
Talk to the Media
Interviews for newspapers, magazines, blogs, vlogs, and industry publications provide you with the perfect opportunity to show off your expertise. You should also try to acquire guest post writing spots through well-known offline and online publications that people in your industry and target market also read. Additionally, you can boost your image by positioning yourself as an expert talking about the industry in print, TV, and online business and industry-supported advertisements.
Build Your Social Presence
Another way you can get your target audience, including your work subordinates, to see you as an expert and leader is by communicating daily using social media. Start discussions, answer questions, and provide feedback about trending industry topics whenever possible. You should also make an extra effort to write social commentary as soon as you come across new industry topics. Always include links, images, and videos that might attract and engage your followers.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on an expensive self-promotion campaign to be seen as an authority in your industry. You simply need to put in the hours and work hard every day at boosting the image you present to the world.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
