There are many reasons to build yourself as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) online.
This is especially true if you’re a solopreneur or freelancer. Your personal brand can be leveraged for marketing your own business or services.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to promote their services at low prices - without adding any value to their target audience.
This is just selling - without building a brand someone can trust.
Second - is when you leverage on your company’s brand and share promo after promo, riding on the company’s name.
Again, you are not building a brand or marketing yourself for your future, but simply selling.
So how do you avoid the above? The answer is simply in creating valuable content and sharing it to the right audience.
9 Steps To Be A KOL In Your Field
No Fancy Logo and Or Brand Name
Instead, build your personal brand. Focus on showcasing yourself as an expert that can bring value.
Identify Your Battlefield
Ask, where is your target customer consuming their information- Instagram? Facebook? LinkedIn? Or maybe even TikTok.
Once identified, go all in by providing valuable content. Always remember that the content your produce should fit the platform that you have chosen.
Stop Sharing Pointless Content
Sharing is caring, but this doesn't mean you should share anything that you find interesting without adding value to it.
If you are going to share, then add your thoughts to this sharing and create a discussion. If doesn't provide value your audience, it's probably worth not sharing.
Be Generous
Share your knowledge, give your tips, and add value to others. You will reap what you sow.
When you share your knowledge you are many steps closer towards establishing yourself as a KOL as you can prove that you know what you are talking about.
Share Consistently
It’s not about posting 20 times or 2 times a week. Create valuable content and be consistent with it.
If you choose 3 times a week, make sure that these 3 pieces of articles/videos or posts have something that your audience can learn. Quality & Consistency are the key words.
Be Engaging
This means ask questions, involve your audience, let their voice be heard and build a connection.
This is a good way to build a community around what you stand for too.
Be Patient
Building your content, sharing your thoughts and knowledge takes time and a lot of energy.
Remember that what you want is a quality output and quality audience too - whichever platform you are on.
Leverage Partnerships
Collaborate with other KOL’s and industry leaders to create more valuable content.
Remember you need to first have real value to give before you can ask.
Why So Serious?
Not all posts need 1000 words of deep reflection or a 30 minute video. Sometimes it can be as simple as sharing a recap of what you took away after watching a movie, or reading a book that is related to your service/brand.
However, there is a fine line here - be sure to add value and to relate back to how it can be applied to your business or even your audience's business and life.
As I always say, Business is Mathematics, and Marketing is Science, you have to keep trying it till you find a formula that works for you.
But one thing you cannot skip - it’s consistency and discipline.