How to Position Your Business as an Authority

What does it mean to position your business as an authority? It means that your business is seen as credible, reliable, reputable and the best go-to on the type of solution you offer. It’s a big deal!

Why is it important to position your business as an authority?

If your business is not seen as an authority in your field, then you are having a harder time competing, and missing out on referrals, customers and money. 

The problem is not the size of your billboard or the impressiveness of your logo or how much money you spent on your fancy website. Bigger does not equal better. An authoritative position is gained from demonstrating expertise in a way that your target audience remembers and talks about. 

We help you with the talking part, see our About page. Want to know how we could do this for YOUR business? Contact us.

Questions to consider about authority positioning

Positioning your business as an authority is not necessarily as complicated as it sounds. Sometimes, all it takes is changing one thing. If you are struggling to figure out why your business does not seem to be getting enough credit, attention and more customers, consider the following questions:

• You may be focusing your attention, budget and efforts on the wrong issue. Maybe it’s not the packaging, maybe it’s the product description? Maybe it’s not the amount of money you’re spending on advertising but rather on whether your advertising methods and strategy are relevant enough to the audience you’re trying to target?
• Are you giving your clients a memorable experience or interaction when they engage with your business? Something that will make them think about, remember and talk about your business afterwards?
• Does your business demonstrate a sincere desire to help solve your target audience’s problems? Can you guarantee results?
• Are you honest about your products and services? Do you make an effort to resolve issues when they arise with your customers? Your target audience will know when they’re being fooled and they will find out if they’re getting ripped off. When a business deals honestly and with integrity, it will always stand out.

7 Tips to position your business as an authority in your field

You can position your business to stand out right from the start. A good first impression lasts a long time! Your business will gain authority and leverage as you stick to your principles and values.

Take a look at some of these tips from other business people:

• #1 – Always be open and honest with your customers. Give them great service and they will recommend you to others.

  • Word-of-mouth advertising is still one of the most powerful influences on business success. Don’t underestimate it!
  • In the simplest terms, don’t BS anyone.

• #2 – Get to KNOW your customers. You can have the best product but if you don’t KNOW them, you can market all day and it won’t help.

  • Do your market research. Ask questions, gather the answers and draw conclusions from there as the basis for your decisions.
  • You can also use this research to create helpful content! Publish it in thoughtful white papers, graphics, blogs, etc. You can’t beat original research for thought leadership. (Leah Ollberding Presser)
  • Find out what questions they are really asking and provide the answers. (Jim Marcotte)

#3 – Start with strategy

• • Watch trends, don’t follow them. Set them.
  • Use strategy to find the place where your story meets your ideal customer’s story. The magic is where they overlap. Sorcha Kate MacKenzie

  • Teach people how to solve the problems you solve, but make it sound exactly as hard as it is. Joel Klettke

#4 – Quality over quantity: Offer carefully created solutions

• • This is an old rule but still true.  If you’re providing value to the right audience who has the pain points or problems your business solves, they will return to you as a resource when they need help moving forward.  (Elle Gray).
  • Come up with your own original framework, concept or process. Offer a solution that will make people say “aha” and be intrigued enough to want more. (Cathy Goodwin)
  • Show why you are the only choice. In-depth knowledge of the product or service, deepest connection with the customer or client needs, best service, (look up Jay Abraham’s Preeminence Strategies). Dan Sternberg
  • Prove your authority and success by showcasing results not fluff. People don’t just want to hear about what you can do, they want to see what you have done.
  • Check out our starter guide to content for your business here.

• #5 – Collaborate

  • Connect with people in your field and related fields. They may have tools you could benefit from, and vice versa. Collaborative partnerships can benefit two audiences instead of just one! Build yourself a network to whom you can refer clients when they require services outside of the scope of what you offer and others will do the same for you.
  • There are many one-man bands out there, but in business, you need other people to help you make it. You need support and you need clients. Build relationships – they are what life is made of, not just business. You cannot and should not do life alone!
  • Allow us to help you!

• #6 – Use products that make it easier to grow your customer base online

  • You can make your work so much easier if you invest in tools that enable you to reach a larger percentage of your targeted audience. Ask others in your field what their favourite tools, software programmes and techniques are. You can also check out our post on the subject.

• #7 – Be yourself.  Be bold.

  • Positioning your business as an authority takes guts. You have to be confident that you are a capable, competent, go-to person in your field. You can do it, so do it!

  • It’s okay if some people hate you. In fact, it’s preferable. Phrased as a tip: Be so fully yourself that you have people who looooove you as well as people who hate you. And don’t be afraid to not be everyone’s favourite. Find your people. Ange Friesen

  • Take risks. Be irreverent. Say what everyone is thinking, but no one has the guts to say out loud. Stephanie Nivinskus

  • Believe in what you do. Your passion and enthusiasm are an integral part of what fuels your business and it inspires others.

The last thing you need to know about making your business a headliner

Persevere. Keep your integrity. Always. Customers will remember this and return again and again because it makes them feel safe and cared for.  Work hard to be the best you can be at what you do or offer in your business.

What has helped your business stand out? Share your tips with the readers below!