The five factors that get you more fans, followers and clients

Welcome to Famous in Your Field! Here’s your free weekly tip to boost your fame factor. (Be sure to sign up in the box on the right to get on the VIP list for free tips and training, delivered straight to your inbox.) 

Who are you?

Why should I believe you?

Why should I hire you?

Why should I buy from you?

Why should I follow you?

Want to know what makes people scream “YES!” at the opportunity to be part of your world?

It’s all about credibility, my friends.

To break through people’s natural defense mechanisms, you’ve got to be credible. Credibility is about presenting yourself and what you have to offer in such a way that you come across as knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Now, here’s what some of you might be thinking right now:

“But I haven’t done anything yet to be considered credible! I’m not a Vice President, I don’t have a PhD, I didn’t make six figures in my business, I haven’t been on stage at TED…”

WHOA. STOP. Right there.

No matter where you are on your fame-making journey, you’ve accomplished and experienced things that make you knowledgeable and trustworthy.

I’m going to share five areas that you can use to claim your credibility. I call ’em the 5 Rs of fame. 

1. Results.

Your results, your progress. Have you gained 5 new clients in a month, won your last ten cases, secured $10M in grants, grown your email subscriber list from 50 to 500? Those are all wins!

Are others in your field who’s lofty accomplishments have exceeded yours? So. What.

It doesn’t matter if you aren’t the only star to shine brightly. What matters is that you’ve gotten a result that your clients, fans or followers would like to have.

2. Role.

Your title or position in a company or your industry. Are you the founder of something? CEO of a company (even a company of one?) Use it.

Anyone who saw The Social Network remembers this iconic scene when Sean Parker fires up the Mark Zuckerberg character to claim his place as a industry-changing innovator.

Here’s the thing – the card was real. Zuck didn’t use it all the time – only when he wanted to show potential partners that he was someone they should take seriously.

3. Reviews (from clients.)

Are your clients and colleagues singing your praises? From the rooftops? Do they get great results from you on the reg?

The best thing about testimonials is that they SELL FOR YOU. 

So, sing it loud and proud in all your marketing materials like your website, your fliers, bio, etc.

4. Reviews from the media.

Got a little glitter from a mention in a newspaper, magazine or website? Include it in your marketing!

Did you share a stage with a big name? Does someone with name recognition and influence consider you brilliant, a visionary?

Big or little, reviews are the money combination of celebrity and implied endorsement.

5. Reference framework.

What’s  your particular approach, your style? What do you believe is right and wrong when it comes to your industry?

Do you regularly bust myths in your field? What’s your philosophy? How is it different, more advanced, or easier to use?

Maybe you’re the attorney who explains legal issues in plain English for your tribe of small business owners. Or the career coach for women who advocates asking for more – much, much more. Or the marketing consultant who doesn’t think clients should spend time on social media.

Your philosophy, your point of view and your communication style are all integrated to create your reference framework. Those are the ingredients to your own special sauce.

To help uncover your reference framework, so that you can share it clearly and frequently, start by asking yourself these questions:

What do I believe about the world?
What do you believe about people?
What do I believe about business?

Your fame boosting assignment:

This week, take 15 minutes and a sheet of paper or your favorite digital note app. Make a list of credibility factors from each of the five categories. Keep going until you have at least a dozen – I know you’ve got loads!

Then, weave these credibility factors into your bio, your website’s About page, and the stories that you tell during a networking conversation. Let your star shine bright, A Lister.