Yo, so this article is going to tell you how to make your site an authority in its niche. First though let me tell you some of the benefits of being an authority.
Probably the main benefit you will get is that you no longer have to build links, once your site is seen as an authority status, it will become self sustaining, this is due to the fact that other sites and blogs will start to link to your posts and pages because of their valuable content. Your posts will be shared on social media like they are giving out free money. All of this makes your life much much easier, all you have to concentrate on is writing regular high quality content.
So how do you go about making your site an authority?
1) Add social media plug ins so people can share – I use a plug in named “simple social buttons” it adds the standard social media sharing buttons to each page and post in the area that you specify, I like to put them both before and after the content to allow people maximum exposure to them.
People look at the amount of social proof that you have as a sign of authority, for example who would you trust more, a guy who has 500 followers on twitter or a guy who has 5?
Pretty simple and standard really so take advantage of it, share all of your posts on all of your social media platforms, let other people check them out and allow other people to share them, the more people that share your content the more authority you have.
2) Spread the wealth – You have to face the fact that there are probably other people who are already the major playas in your niche, go to their sites and add great information to them, don’t always link back to your own site blatantly, just have a link to your site as your name for each comment.
Give legitimate advice and help out if you feel that you can add something valuable to the discussion. If the readers of other peoples authority sites see you adding valuable stuff to other sites then you are obviously going to be seen as an authority on the subject.
3) Create a network with the other playaz – Now although in these so called google wars, the other sites are your competition, there is no harm in having a relationship with the other major authorities in your niche. I is actually very beneficial to your site. Try to have a good relationship, share each others posts if you like them.
Be a part of the community with each other and help each other out, if you really want to be THE authority it is essential that you have a relationship. The people that run these competition sites are exactly that, PEOPLE, so connect with them and share ideas and it will benefit you both.
4) Tackle the big subjects – Now there are no doubt big talking points in your niche, if you are in the baking industry for example (I dabbled in this niche for a while before selling my site), one of the major talking point is whether or not to use milk in your cake mixture, so write an article on the major talking points.
This article should show that you come out on either one side or the other, fence sitters are never an authority, the authority should lead their niche so make a decision and stick to it and most importantly do not apologise for the decision you have made.
5) Don’t be afraid to be controversial – This is absolutely key in becoming an authority, writing a controversial article is a massive source of traffic and discussion, if people are discussing your writing then you are doing something right.
Now I am not saying go out a cause a stir for no reason at all, but if you truly believe in something that may be controversial then don’t be afraid to write about it, express your true opinions and make sure that people know about them, these types of articles almost always go viral and hook you up with some great quality traffic.
What do you reckon to these tips guys? Got any other tips on becoming THE authority?
