Are YOU an authority? No, we are not taking about knowledge on subjects brought up in this forum. We are talking about your inner authority as a writer. Either article /content writing or copywriting. How committed are you to your buyers/purchasers/clients, and how committed are they to do you? Explain what you are doing to appear as an authority in their eyes.
One thought that I've always had is that you need to write as if you know absolutely everything about what you're writing about. Even if you don't know as much as you put on, or your results aren't that concrete- when you write from a sales perspective, you have to exaggerate a bit and really push that you know what you're talking about.
I do consider myself an authority when it comes to dealing with my clients. I make them believe that what I say is golden. So far my clients have listened to what I tell them they need in order to reach the results that they want. This makes me an authority in their eyes. I have ran into a couple clients that took a bit more convincing than others. At the same time, when I am done talking it is the same result. I get paid, they get what they want. Still in their eyes, I am an authority. How committed am I to my clients. I look at them as if they are my lifeline. I need them to be successful and satisfied that their wants and needs are met. That is what they pay me to do. As a business you should never treat a client as if you do not want to help them. You treat them with the up most respect and they will treat you the same way in return. Honesty will go along way in this business.
THANKS, 2 very good examples given about building faith in authority. Let me tell my personal story of about the reverse. In the last 6 weeks I have "visited" 2 hospitals for 2 doctors, personal doctor, and 4 specialists. 6 out of 7 were TRUE authority figures. On the other occasion, I was rushed in dire condition to a hospital ER,and had an American doctor. My blood was not circulating and immediate correction was needed. The "authority ER doctor", without looking at my charts and history, said to my utter horror, I just needed a pain shot, and was good to go. I do not take pain killers, and told the US doctor he was a quack,a SF, and demanded immediate release. My wife rushed me to another hospital as the condition was worsening. They rushed to save me, my blood was traveling to a vein that leads to the lung. Instant death. Moral, You should know more than the person you are treating, with your talents. Show how you can benefit them, and best of all be ready to back it up. You are holding their future in your hands, so let them know it. When I run across a person of authority in another area, it is only proper to let them know of their value. Please volunteer some more situations about establishing authority --thank you--
Jeez, dyadvisor - you certainly have your trials, don't you! Glad you survived and are still here with us!! Okay, my favorite way of building authority is by showing the reader that you totally understand their pain. I do this by creating a plausible scenario using a generic person that matches the ideal prospect that I'm selling the product to. Stories go a long way towards convincing your targets that you know exactly what they're going through: everyone loves a well-written story, especially a story with a hero/heroine that's exactly like themselves; when they start nodding and agreeing with the scenario you present, you've got their trust big-time. And this sense of trust translates into authority ver-ry quickly. So when you start talking about the product and how well it solves the problem, readers are very eager to learn more. Then wham! you wind up your story with your character happily using the product and enjoying life once more. Couple this technique with testimonials and other forms of proof - and you have a powerful piece of writing. Dot
Thanks dorthy.dot---- For those of you unaware, Dorothy is one of the highest rated people here at the DP forum that can back up what they say. Her talents, like Inet-Seo expand not only into to article/content writing but also into true copywriting. Now the example she shares and provides is usually reserved to certain few people that have mastered a certain level of experienced marketing proficiency. She is making a good income level based upon both experiences in writing and marketing. Certainly a goal for all writers to shoot for. Thanks Dorothy for sharing.
[Blushing] Thank you for those wonderful words, dyadvisor! They mean a great deal, especially coming from you.
To me being considered an authority by clients is a process. From the first point of contact, everything's about what I can do for them. Particularly with copywriting clients, the key is not conveying that I know everything there is to know about their industry, which is rarely the case, but that I ask the right questions to learn their strengths and weaknesses within that industry. As I learn about what they do, I explain how we can more effectively use their website to market their product or service. Both sides retain their authority status in the relationship and it becomes a team effort. By the time I deliver their written materials, they almost know without reading it that it's going to be exactly what they wanted despite often having no notion of what that was when we started.
Compliments to you YMC The technique used takes tact and experience. You go to the doctor thinking what you need, you leave satisfied with what has been prescribed. This is a skill of listening and asking plenty of questions. All the while, your client is building confidence in you. In fact YMC has done this well enough to the ultimate. This is where your client is repeating back your words as their own. Make their day, while in reality leading the way. Very nicely done.
A comment back to dorthy.dot Something, that just struck my nerves, as your post does provide excellent information on the technique. When the internet first entered this wide expanse of information, many billion dollar companies failed to provide meaningful examples. Around 15 years back, I searched and found an excellent commercial graphic program, and plunked down my $885?, I believe. This French program called Quark provided writing layout and super printer quality color layer solutions. THE PROBLEM: Every explanation, used a French bicycle, for its example. I do not care about french bicycles. It made understanding a concept 5 times as hard. I wish you would have written the instruction manual. Then I would be able to relate to the subject. Needless to say, the program started collect dust.
Hi dyadvisor, You are absolutely right. The example/story must sing to your intended target readers. For example, I'm with you: I can't walk very well without a cane/crutch. So the bicycle example would totally turn me off as well. But most graphic-program users have a strong inclination towards creating images, pictures, photos. So any kind of analogy that appeals to this facet of graphics-program learning would fly high and wild. Maybe like painting a picture with oilpaints? Start with a concept (sketched-in outlines), create the basic layer (paint the background/general colorations) then add the fine-tuning points, highlights, details, etc. as desired. But a bicycle??? Jeez, what a outer-space idjit that writer was! Someone should just boot him/her out of that cubicle and glued their behind onto a bike seat and sent that person off to find another job - preferably one with writing bike-riding stuff! No wonder that program's gathering dust. Sheesh! Dot
I do consider myself to be an authority on writing, but I think that your question has more to do with how you demonstrate that to your potential clients. Many times, you only have one message and a limited amount of words to bid on a project or make an offer on a job. Because of this, the image that you create with only a few sentences is very important. Use proper grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Briefly describe your experience. Let your words demonstrate your level of expertise for the particular kind of writing job that you are applying for. Provide writing samples and a handful of links to existing work online. An online writer's portfolio is the best tool for demonstrating all of your work through links as well as your credentials and experience in one place.
EmpowerMedia: very empowering advice. This is what I do with people I am teaching free writing skills also. Then I give that the portfolio platform on my article directory site to do so. What I really enjoyed about your posting, is the hidden message in between the lines. Getting rid of the ego, and using proof be your judge. They are smart enough to know when they are getting a good deal without it being rammed down their throat or gouging their eyes with sheer Egoist pride. Another great take on tips wise writers should consider, as shown by talented others. Thanks for contributing!
Well, I am an authority on making a nuisance of myself in all the forums I have been on. The longer I camp out in the forums, the more obnoxious I get. Camp meaning making more than 20 100-character posts in less than 60 minutes. Don't take my word for it. Check out my posts under the name "areewongwanlee" in AC-Web. I have more than 1000 posts there so there are plenty of samples of how I add my personal version of written rubbish to the forums there. You can also check out my posts under the name "ThisOldMan" in WHT. More than 200 posts to establish my authority as a premium purveyor of unadulterated rubbish. For the ultimate in authoritarian writing on rubbish, you can check out my blog posts on areesportals dot wsr3 dot net especially the posts about "H**rl**s P*ss**s and 3-F**t M*n" ("*" added intentionally to comply with safe content forum rules. Said safe content being material suitable for viewing by users aged below 13 years and above 130 years) Off-topic: I used to have a very close (very, very, very close indeed) friend and constant companion whose real name is Dorothy and nickname is Dot. Doubt if it's the same person with the esteemed poster here. Just makes me nostalgic that's all. *wipes eyes. And reminds me of the song "Smoke gets in my eye".
My goodness, who ARE you? You certainly opened my eyes this morning. Precious few qualify as past friends that were that close to me. But there are a few I can recall who umm, specialize in drivel. Were you ever a forest ranger? Arborist, perhaps? Dot
No, I really doubt if we have ever met before. You just reminded me of someone very precious to me, that's all. I have never been a forest ranger although I have done my time in the jungle. However, that's neither here nor there. So well met, familiar stranger. Life holds more mysteries than fiction ever did. fyi you can find my biodata on my blogsite where I archive my random thoughts.
yes, being perceived as an authority is really important ... but maybe you should take a look at your signature for that reason -- it's confusing and doesn't give me much confidence that you are an authority
My signature? Looks like even a 6-year-old kid can understand it. Well, at least, some of the 6-year-old kids I teach. btw don't take me too seriously because I don't. Being too serious about oneself just accelerates the aging process. At 57 and counting I don't need any boost in that direction at all. fyi you don't need to have any confidence at all in my authorityness or otherwise. What brings home the bacon is what my clients think. And they have not given up hope on ThisOldMan. Yet.
Yes, fair comment ... but I was aiming my comment at the original post (dyadvisor), not at you ThisOldMan