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All successful non-fiction authors seem to have one thing in common: They are all experts on the material that they write about.
They know the topic as well as the back of their hand. But more importantly, they have convinced others of the fact that they are experts in their fields.
It is this credibility that leads others to trust them enough to buy their written works and to immerse themselves in the knowledge that these authors provide.
Now, do you need to have a Ph. D. to write a non-fiction book? Of course not! Many authors do, and the title does indeed help if you have one.
However, if you are like most people, and do not have an advanced degree in a specific field, you will need to do a little leg work to establish credibility.
What is Your Niche?
The most important thing to do when establishing credibility as a writer is to identify your niche. Who are you writing for and what subjects are you an expert in?
Take a moment and jot down a few things you consider yourself to be an expert on. Maybe you have a great deal of knowledge in gardening. Maybe you know everything there is to know about fantasy football. Whatever the case, everyone is an expert on something.
3 Simple Ways to Build Credibility as a Writer:
Before you begin writing your book, it’s important for you to identify your area of expertise and begin sharing it as soon as possible. You can do this in many different ways, but we will share with you four very effective ones just to get you started.
1. Create a website or blog about the subject.
The easiest way to establish authority is to create your own author’s website that focuses on the subject you want to write about.
This will allow potential future book buyers and editors alike to see that you have a great deal of information to share within your area of interest. More importantly, it allows you to start building your author platform.
Book publishers and agents love to see when authors come with their own audience, so this can help you get your non-fiction book proposal accepted.
Having your own website allows you to easily connect with your audience and share just how much you know about a subject. It also opens up more opportunities beyond just selling books, as you can additionally earn an income from blogging.
2. Create a workshop or seminar and present it to people within your niche.
People love to learn new things and there are so many opportunities for you to share your knowledge with others.
Offer to visit schools, daycares, libraries, support groups, etc and present information that people would like to know about your subject.
3. Establish a Social Media Presence
Having a strong social media presence will help you along your writing journey to becoming a well-respected author within your niche.
There are many authors I have discovered through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even Pinterest. Being on these 4 primary social channels not only helps you establish brand awareness, but it will help you later promote your book more effectively.
By taking the time to do these simple things you will effectively establish your credibility on the subject of your choice.
Can you think of other ways to establish credibility within your niche? If so, we would love to hear your ideas in the comments below!