Why A CEO Is the Best Company Influencer

Are you a high-powered exec or a company CEO with a success story and a unique talent?

I want to hear about it!

Everyone has a success story. Your customers and clients want to learn about. Be it a personal story, a special talent, or simply how you started your business.

You are your best salesperson!

You might not like the idea of promoting yourself as the company influencer. But once you get past the initial discomfort, the benefits are huge.

Here are a few tips to see you on your way.

First, think about how you want to brand yourself. The most important thing is to build credibility and trust. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? I know you do it all day for your products and services. However, there is a whole other component to this exercise.

“Personal” is your keyword. Here are some effective strategies:

Build a Strong Online Presence

Start with your website:

1. Website Page: You’ll need a page dedicated to yourself, one that highlights your expertise and your story. Add your bio and a professional picture. Perhaps also a pic with your dog or something you enjoy doing. This makes you approachable.
2. SEO: Optimize the website to improve visibility. Associate your name with your company as a keyword.
3. AI: Check your bio on an AI to see if you need to modify it. You will be searched there as well. Simply provide ChatGpt or any other platform with the details you want to change or add.

Content Marketing

1. Blogging: Write a blog about your experiences. Your passions and share them. If you are too busy, have someone do this for you. Give them some pointers to keep it personal.
2. Video Content: Get in the habit of using your phone to do quick snippets. The best ones are vertical. Also, create videos on platforms like YouTube covering your expertise. There are plenty of video editing apps out there. I like to use CapCut, it’s easy and intuitive.
3. Podcasts: A podcast is a great sales tool. Here, your audience will listen to you and want to learn more about your products. They appreciate getting to know the person behind the product. How many times have I purchased something because I liked the CEO’s message?
4. Guest Participation: Participate in other people’s podcasts as a guest and capitalize on their audience.
5. Get a Flipboard Account: The platform allows you to put all your content into a digital magazine. These visually pleasing magazines are shareable via social media. You can publish your blog and your images all in a few magazines that you can drip out weekly into an email newsletter.

Social Media Marketing

1. Engagement: Live stories are ice-breakers. On these power streams, you can answer comments and chat with potential listeners. Offer them something of value, a contest, or auction off something of interest. Chat about topics that have nothing to do with work, people tend to relax outside of work. Who are you? Allow your followers to get to know you as a person. Share this activity on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and LinkedIn to build your audience.

Collaborations and Partnerships

1. Guest Blogging: Writing a guest post for popular blogs will get you in front of a different audience, one with a wider reach. The more you put yourself in front of different people, the better.
2. Events: Participate in or host webinars, workshops, and events in your industry. These places are key to helping build prominence.

Public Relations

1. Media Features: Your PR agency can get you featured in news outlets. Interviews, popular YouTube shows, and podcast appearances will enhance your profile.

Testimonials and Reviews

1. Client Testimonials: Build positive feedback from clients. Ask your followers for reviews. Give them incentives. This can be soooo daunting! There is always that risk of getting negative feedback. But, if you do get negative feedback, you have an opportunity to make it right. This will only make you look more human. We all make mistakes.
2. Case Studies: Viewers and followers love success stories. Especially if they come back from behind. For example, “I lost my business”, “I was down and out”, etc… The “rags to riches story” is always interesting. Rethink it with a twist, tell it, or recount anything your followers can relate to. They learn from your experiences. These can be shared on your blog, your social media, and your website.

Speaking Engagements

1. Conferences and Seminars: These events are a win-win. Speaking at industry events will establish authority. You will also establish yourself as an authority. People love face-to-face meetings. It humanizes you.
2. Workshops: You are in the driver’s seat with any workshop you lead. People come because they want to learn. This makes you the expert.

Networking

1. Professional Associations: Professional associations are for networking and gaining credibility. Build your network online via professional social media channels like LinkedIn. This way you can tap into international audiences as well
2. Local Community: Build visibility with your local community. Non-profit participation and local events are excellent ways to build visibility.

Monitor Performance

1. Adapt Strategies: As you go along, check feedback and adjust strategies to maximize success.

Final thoughts

Even if you do half of what I mentioned above you will be ahead of the game.

Once you get stuck in it will become apparent. You can delegate duties that need delegating. Perform the tasks that are more personal like engaging with followers.

Enjoy the ride!

I’m here! Let’s chat! @janettespeyer or @janette_speyer on the Fediverse