positioning

3 Essential Elements to Successful Positioning

3 Essential Elements to Successful Positioning

 

positioningHi everyone,

If you have a blog, are selling something, want to get noticed or be perceived as an expert, then you need something very important – positioning.

You may have heard it said that you need to “position yourself” as an expert, as the go-to person, as a guru, as whatever it is that you’re aiming to be viewed as.

Why is this even important?

Well, without positioning, you’re essentially nowhere. You’re not focusing your efforts on a singular purpose and you’re essentially just drifting around, kind of hoping that things somehow work out for you.

Whereas, the person who is focused on their positioning knows exactly where they want to be, how they want to be perceived, what it is that they are offering and, well, basically just the whole point of what it is they’re doing.

Now, here’s where I think an important distinction is made:

Are you ‘positioning yourself’ or are others doing it for you?

I believe that a bit of both is necessary, although it’s other people who are vitally important and it is they who will, ultimately, determine just how you are viewed.

So then, how do you actually do this?

One thing I would guard against is faking it. Some may teach that it’s okay to “fake it ’til you make it“.

I don’t.

That’s why it’s important to not be focused soley on positioning yourself. At the end of the day, you can position yourself however you so choose, but it’s the positioning that others do that’s the key.

So here are three elements that I believe are essential for successful positioning:

 

1) Have the Knowledge

 

positioningWhatever you’re doing, you’re going to be providing something to other people, whether that be information for free on your blog, paid products or a service of some kind.

I’m sure you’ll agree that, in order to do this properly and effectively, you need to have some knowledge about whatever it is that you are providing.

You don’t have to be the world’s foremost expert on whatever the subject is, but you do need to know at least something about it!

The quantity of what you know doesn’t matter, rather it’s all about the quality. If you have knowledge about something and can deliver what you know in a helpful, valuable way, then you can appear as an expert to others.

One excellent ‘ninja’ tip is to study experts in your niche. Buy their stuff if necessary. But study what they know, how they present it and take note of any weaknesses you spot. Perhaps you’re better than they are at a particular thing. If so, leverage it!

If you can be better than a given expert in a particular way, then you have the edge over them in that thing and can become noticed for it.

 

2) Be Visible

 

positioningYou have to teach what you know. If people can’t see you they won’t know what you have to offer.

You need to get out there and make yourself visible. This can be done in a variety of ways: writing articles and submitting them to directories, writing consistent blog posts and sharing them, commenting on other people’s blogs, creating products, creating videos, etc. Whichever way, you need to get out there and be prolific.

The important thing to remember is that people pay attention to what you do rather than simply what you say. For example, let’s say that I have many years experience in a particular area and know a lot about the subject. I could tell you all about the subject and yes, you’d likely be able to tell that I know my stuff.

But Joe Bloggs has published a book about the same subject. He only has six months’ experience. But how do you think he will be perceived by others? Do you think the fact that he has written and published a book will take him up a few notches in people’s view?

I remember John Chow once talking about giving away books at events. Usually people give away their business cards, but if you turn up and give away copies of your book rather than business cards, who do you think it is who will get noticed and be remembered?

Just think about it for a moment. If you are seen rubbing shoulders with top, successful bloggers then you are going to get noticed and people’s perception of you will go up.

Likewise, if you are known to have your own products, books, etc out there then you will automatically be perceived as an authority.

Of course, you may not actually have much experience, especially in comparison to others in your niche who teach or provide the same type of thing. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t be viewed as just as much an authority as those people. Our next element will cover what you can do to give you a bit more of an edge if you are relatively new or inexperienced.

 

3) Appear to Be an Expert

 

positioningNow this is one you need to be careful with. As I said earlier, you mustn’t fake it. So, when I say “appear” to be an expert I am not suggesting for one moment that you pretend to be something you’re not.

What you do need to do, though, is make sure that you recognise your strengths. If you know about something or can do something well then there is absolutely nothing wrong in saying so and doing so authoritatively.

I always remember my guitar teacher telling me: “There’s absolutely no room for false modesty in music”. He didn’t mean that you should be big-headed. He simply meant that if you can do something then you need to recognise the fact and not pretend otherwise, perhaps putting yourself down. There’s no point in being able to do it if you’re not going to actually do it!

So you need to make sure that you don’t sabotage yourself. Make sure that you speak in an authoritative tone, be confident. Again, it comes back to the fact that people believe what you do rather than simply what you say.

You’ve likely heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words”. Well, make sure that this holds true in your case. You can say something, but if you don’t do so with confidence, authority and self-belief then other people aren’t very likely to view you that way either.

In Summary

 

"Why Not YOU?" - By Glenn ShepherdThe above three points are by no means an exhaustive coverage of the subject of positioning. There are probably whole books and courses out there that are dedicated to this subject alone. But hopefully you’ve been able to take away a few valuable points that may help you in positioning yourself and, in turn, improving the way others view you.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you got value from it and if you feel that others would benefit from it then please don’t forget to share it.

If you’d like to get more free, actionable information from me, please make sure to enter your e-mail address in one of the forms on this page. You will get a copy of my free e-book that outlines how I went from being a complete newbie with zero success to making not only my first online sale but also going on to experience my very first four-figure day!

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Finally, don’t forget to leave a comment in the section below! 🙂

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24 thoughts on “3 Essential Elements to Successful Positioning”

  1. Great post, thank you Glenn.

    To become a popular blogger, we must to more active, write more useful articles and publish to the readers.
    Alize Camp recently posted…UnfollowgramMy Profile

    1. Yeah, you and Glenn both have right and I have to add – It’s not that simple to become popular. There is no just three steps and you done. It is a long lasting process… You have to read, test, learn, meet people and much more… 🙂 But – if you are patient and doing your job well – success will come 🙂

    2. Hi Alize,

      This is true. But you need to be active in the right way doing the right things. Even writing articles is something that many get wrong. It is absolutely vital to give good quality, unique, actionable content so as to establish yourself and get people wanting to come back for more.

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Proven Engagement Techniques That WorkMy Profile

  2. Hi Glenn,

    Thank you for doing a great job with explaining what positioning ourselves is all about in your post. I am learning so many methods for driving traffic that I thought I should write about them. I was told by a coach when we start blogging, write about what you are learning. So that is what I am doing.

    I just started writing articles and submitting them to directories. I am on this learning journey and having fun doing it. I broke down and finally got myself a coach to help me with my technical issues and he is an expert in SEO,Social Media Marketing and is helping me with my blogging.ideas. So I am finally feeling like I am moving forward.

    I am realizing my experiences strengths and hopes I have taken away a lot of value from this post.

    Thank you for sharing, Glenn and you have an awesome rest of the week!

    Linda
    Linda Schrier recently posted…Importance of Blog CommentingMy Profile

    1. Hi Linda,

      Yes, blogging about what you are learning is a great way to get started. It not only gives you something to write about but you can share valuable information with those who are in the same boat. It’s how I and so many others got started.

      I hadn’t realised that you are writing articles, well done! This is something I always intended to get into but never got around to it. Maybe one day though, as it is a proven method of getting yourself known. Sean Mize, for example, is someone who has been very, very successful doing this.

      Thanks, Linda, I look forward to hearing about how you get on with your article submissions. 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…6 Blogging Resources You Need to Visit TodayMy Profile

  3. Great topic, great post, Glenn.

    I particularly liked Point 3 – Appear To Be An Expert. As you say people need to be careful with it; they don’t want to be exposed as fakes, but at the same time they need to put their best foot forward.

    You are right – the key is to CONVEY authority, which is something that can be done with the effective use of words (either in written or video/ audio form). Even a newbie can do it, providing they BELIEVE they offer something of value to the marketplace.

    Once again thanks for writing this post, Glenn – positioning is such an important topic.

    Kim

    1. Hi Kim,

      Yes, that’s very true. Conveying authority is essential and it’s something anyone can do, so long as they have the required self-belief. Unfortunately it’s an area in which so many hold themselves back – I did it myself for a long time. But getting past that can take things up to a whole other level, both for yourself and in the way others view you.

      I’m glad you enjoyed the post, many thanks for visiting and commenting. 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…How to Know When to Ditch Your TeacherMy Profile

  4. Hey Glenn,

    Such an informative post indeed.

    You said it right that if people want to become successful then they need to have the perfect position. Their audience should know them by their name.
    If a blogger wish to become an expert then he/she needs to behave like that. Having full knowledge about something they are teaching others is necessary.
    Positive attitude matters a lot.

    Thanks for the post.
    Enjoy your day.
    ~Ravi
    Ravi Chahar recently posted…How To Backup WordPress Database Using phpMyAdmin?My Profile

    1. Hi Ravi,

      That’s very true. There’s no point in trying to promote yourself as a blogger yet hold yourself back, especially if you are trying to sell things via your blog. As you say, you want people to know you by name. Ideally, you should be aiming to be a go-to person whose name immediately pops up in the minds of their prospects.

      Thanks for your visit and comment, Have a great week! 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Proven Engagement Techniques That WorkMy Profile

  5. Hey Glenn,

    That’s certainly an eye-opener. Positioning myself in the blogosphere – in the market – is so crucial so my efforts are picked up by the right kind of people.

    All the three points you’ve mentioned here are important for positioning.

    Having the knowledge about what I am going to talk or teach is the starting point. Well, if I am going to start teaching something without having the knowledge (and preferably experience) myself, I am sure people can smell that from a mile. My reputation will be in serious trouble.

    Oh ya, the web is getting so much noisier by the minute and if I don’t keep myself visible and above the flood, I will be washed away just like that. People are so busy and they won’t bother finding me. I should be easily available to them. Marketing, and my favorite word of mouth marketing will help in this direction.

    I get it when you say “appear to be an expert”. Even though I don’t call myself an expert at anything, when people recognize me so, it is my responsibility to act like one. Otherwise I will not only ruin my business but also confuse my potential clients.

    Thanks for the wonderful post. Have a great week!

    Cheers,
    Jane.
    Jane recently posted…Why you’re unable to convert your blog readers into subscribersMy Profile

    1. Hi Jane,

      Presenting yourself in the proper way sure is important. You’re right, if you’re trying to teach something without actually knowing about it yourself then people will smell that a mile off. But there’s nothing wrong in leveraging what you do know and this is something that I encourage. But that’s where many go wrong – they don’t feel that they’re adequately qualified when, in reality, they are. So long as you present what you do know honestly, then you should absolutely do so authoritatively. Our own fears, doubts and inhibitions can be the worst enemies of all.

      That’s an important point you made about confusing your potential clients. There has to be consistency in what we do, otherwise people won’t know where they’re at and that, in itself, can reduce our level of perceived expertise.

      Thanks for your visit and your great comment. Have yourself a great week! 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Are You an Expert in Your Field?My Profile

  6. Three excellent points Glenn!

    And I too remember reading about John Chow’s brilliant
    marketing ploy at a live event.

    And just having it reinforced here, made me realize just how powerful
    and effective, a hands on marketing tactic can be!

    I mean, given the choice between getting a gurus business card or their latest book or CD/DVD, that’s pretty much a no brainer!

    Thank for sharing three excellent points!
    Mark recently posted…So What Important Marketing Lesson Can One Of The Best Fast Food Restaurants Teach You?My Profile

    1. Hi Mark,

      I know, right? When I first heard that I thought, “What a brilliant idea!”. It’s such a great pattern-interrupt, as most people expect business cards, but how many expect a book? It’s something that I am DEFINITELY going to try! Watch this space…..! 😉

      Thanks for stopping by, Mark, always great to see you, my friend. 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Raiders of the Lost CommissionsMy Profile

  7. Hey Glenn,

    This was a simple but yet powerful breakdown for successfully positioning yourself. You want to gain knowledge, put yourself out there, and on top of that appear to be an expert.

    Some ways to appear to be an expert are answering questions that your commenters asks or go to a site like quora.com to answer some questions that you have some knowledge of. This will definitely help you position yourself as an expert and gain a great reputation.

    Thanks for the share Glenn! Have a good one!
    Sherman Smith recently posted…Why Your Blog Traffic Generation Strategies SuckMy Profile

    1. Hey Sherman,

      Thanks for the suggestion about Quora.com. I have heard of the site but I must admit to not knowing anything about it. I might take a look though, is always good to expand and increase our reach.

      I hope you’re doing well, bud. Have a great week! 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…RSS DemystifiedMy Profile

  8. Hey Glenn,

    Great post buddy, you nailed this one.

    I had people teach me that I needed to fake it until I made it. That I needed to be perceived as someone who was so successful but I was just so uncomfortable with that. To me that’s just lying about who you are or what you’ve done when we all know you haven’t done anything. Now I get why they would teach that if you’re new because who wants to learn from someone who is brand new and doesn’t know everything.

    At the same time though, someone who is brand new should never be teaching something they’ve never done themselves. As you mentioned though, buy the courses or products and study them. Practice what you’re being taught until you start to get your own results and just keep going from there. Once you have something down and are getting results then you do know more than those who are just coming online.

    Now I am never comfortable with being called an expert but others are the ones who call me that at times. I think it’s because I am having success in some areas that they look at me in that way. I can appreciate where they’re coming from but I always feel like I’m a work in progress so that’s never been something I’m comfortable with.

    You definitely though have to continue to put yourself out there in front of enough people. The way I look at that though is you have to do certain things every single day anyway right! Why not make that part of your daily routine! Soon enough people will definitely start to notice and that’s how you can start with positioning yourself as someone who is very knowledgeable in their field.

    Great share my friend, thanks for this information and I’ll be sure to share this as well. Have a great week.

    ~Adrienne
    Adrienne recently posted…Who Should You Really Connect With In The Blogosphere?My Profile

    1. Hi Adrienne,

      Nope, there’s absolutely no room for fakery and trickery. Thankfully, I don’t think it’s quite as rife as it once was, but there’s still a lot of it about, sadly.

      You’re most definitely an expert, Adrienne. Of course you’re not an expert in everything, but then who is? And there’s always going to be room for improvement and further learning. But that doesn’t take anything away from what you have already and there’s absolutely nothing wrong in recognising your existing expertise in a balanced way. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and for your great comment. I hope you’re having a good week.

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…EMA Podcast 005: “How Do You View Yourself?”My Profile

    1. Hi Enstine,

      Great to see you, my friend, I hope you’re keeping well.

      Yes, that’s such a great strategy, isn’t it? Of course, one would hope that a book would actually be of more value, but the key point is that it’s the perceived value that’s the clincher. When people see that you’re a published author then it automatically increases your credibility. Plus, you’ll get noticed as the person who’s giving away books! 😉 It’s something I definitely want to try!

      Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you have a good rest-of-the-week and weekend ahead. 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Are You an Expert in Your Field?My Profile

  9. Hi Glenn,

    Positioning yourself online is one thing we need to do. We first have to be clear on who we are and what we are out to give to others. Like you mentioned: Never “Fake it till you make it” Just be ourselves and lend a hand. Well, that’s the way I see it.

    When “positioning” it is always good practice to be mindful of what is our ultimate goal. i.e. if we have a product/service, keep it in mind. Don’t shove it at people but a simple reminder of a book we wrote, an upcoming training, etc. will set us apart from the crowd.

    From our blogs to social media..be there to answer questions, be of help to others. It is how we can honestly position ourselves.

    Thanks so much for bringing up this topic.

    -Donna
    Donna Merrill recently posted…Are You Chasing Fast Money Or Building A Solid Business?My Profile

    1. Hi Donna,

      That’s the key I think, being clear on our ultimate goal and always being mindful of it. That way we will have a much better idea as to how we should be positioning ourselves, how to do it and, done correctly, we will be focused on presenting our message in such a way that others will do the positioning for us.

      Yes, being available and helpful too is a valuable element to aid in positioning.

      Thanks for your great comment, Donna. I hope you had a god weekend and are both keeping well. 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…EMA Podcast 005: “How Do You View Yourself?”My Profile

  10. Thyrone Charles

    Hi Glenn,
    First of all, thank you so much for another informative post.
    Sadly, this is the first time I heard about “positioning” and it’s really interest to follow.
    //The quantity of what you know doesn’t matter, rather it’s all about the quality.// great line written by you and strongly agree with that.
    Again thanks for this post and keep up the work.

    1. Hi Thyrone,

      Many thanks, I’m glad you found the post useful.

      Positioning is an essential component to any online business. Basically, you have to remember that you are just one among maybe thousands of similar blogs, businesses, etc. who are vying for the number one position. i.e. the name that people immediately think of when they think about the go-to person or business in your niche. So whatever you do should be with that in mind, thinking about what you can do to elevate yourself and get you to stand out from the rest.

      We may not actually get to be viewed as the absolute “number one” across the board, but if we can get get some people to feel that way about us and if we are constantly trying to improve our presence and increase the quality of what we offer, then we are on the right track.

      Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a good week. 🙂

      »Glenn«
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…How to Know When to Ditch Your TeacherMy Profile

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