By Tom Trush

Know the feeling you get when someone you just met is about to hit you with a sales pitch?

Maybe you noticed an awkward attempt to build rapport or thought the communication sounded too rehearsed to be believable -- and now you're certain the situation is about to get more uncomfortable.

This experience is common, isn't it?

Well, the reality is people interested in certain products or services avoid situations where salespeople are involved. That's why it's critical for you to elevate your status.

Here's one way to do it:

Mimic the behavior of influential leaders in your industry.

One fact you'll notice is industry thought leaders -- those people who have the most influence and success -- consistently publish content. This action isn't by accident. Written words hold incredible power.

Consistently published content creates authority status. It is also an effective persuasion tool that helps break your prospects' buying resistance.

Of course, content in a book format has the greatest impact, especially if you want to be seen as an industry expert. But these days you have many other options.

You can use e-mail, a blog or a newsletter. You can record a recurring podcast. You can pick up a camera and start shooting videos. You can even respond to industry-specific questions people post online.

In addition to consistency, the key is making your content valuable. After all, great content gets shared in today's socially connected world.

As I talk about in my book, The "You" Effect: How to Transform Ego-Based Marketing Into Captivating Messages That Create Customers, content is the currency that drives marketing. Instead of money, you exchange content for your prospects' attention.

When you don't have content (or content that's not consistently updated), your prospects direct attention elsewhere.

Also keep in mind, the more you create content that helps your prospects solve their problems, the more they'll reward you with engagement and sales.

Tom Trush is available at https://www.writewaysolutions.com.
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© Trey Ryder
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