Authority Website - Not YET An Authority | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

10 years ago

Hey Jordo,

Go for it!!!

No site is an authority site on day one.
You can't be an authority site just because you want to be.

"Authority" status is something that is bestowed upon you by your readers. It usually takes a little time, but the clock doesn't start until you launch the site.

As long as my passion and integrity are there isn't that all that matters as the rest can be built. It's not like I know nothing about it but I'm not nearly as informed as many others out there. It goes without saying I wouldn't try and fake my expertise and would be upfront about it and that I really desire to learn from other masters of this niche.

If there is an interactive segment of your site (i.e. a forum), you can begin identifying respected contributors and initially fall back on their input to keep your readers informed (and surreptitiously use them to expand your own knowledge). Laud them and build a friendly relationship with them. You'll find that you can often call on them later when another reader is seeking an answer that you just don't have the knowledge to provide.

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jordorules

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Sid Hale

No site is an authority site on day one.
You can't be an authority site just because you want to be.

"Authority" status is something that is bestowed upon you by your readers. It usually takes a little time, but the clock doesn't start until you launch the site.

Wow that is great! Thanks Sid Hale!

That is a HUGELY helpful answer. I kind of thought so but I needed to hear it from a more experienced Warrior before I could actually accept it.

I love the way you put it (ie: the part I quoted).

That makes my day!

Much appreciated!

J

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Jason Kanigan

10 years ago

Originally Posted by jordorules

Wow that is great! Thanks Sid Hale!

That is a HUGELY helpful answer. I kind of thought so but I needed to hear it from a more experienced Warrior before I could actually accept it.

I love the way you put it (ie: the part I quoted).

That makes my day!

Much appreciated!

J

It took about six months of blogging consistently for my site to start seeing some google search traffic.

I probably could have done a better job of choosing longer tail keywords.

There's a blog syndication FB group I belong to. And I'm the *only* blogger who's stuck with their site since January 2014. The only other consistent person is the owner of the group, and he rarely blogs. Most pop in, post once or twice, and are never heard from again.

You've got plenty of room to find your voice and your spot.

One tidbit of advice I got from Colin Theriot was when you find someone's content that you know your audience will really appreciate, approach the writer. Tell them what a great fit it is. Ask if they'll post it directly onto your site, and even comment around it if they like to add further info. That'll get more engagement. I could be doing more of this, too.

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jordorules

10 years ago

Thanks Jason Kanigan. Great idea! Yes I heard as long as you give them the credit and post a link to their site it's ok to re-post it on your site, I guess asking for permission is always the best way to go of course.

J

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Jason Kanigan

10 years ago

Originally Posted by jordorules

Thanks Jason Kanigan. Great idea! Yes I heard as long as you give them the credit and post a link to their site it's ok to re-post it on your site, I guess asking for permission is always the best way to go of course.

J

Could be a FB post. Could be a tweet that sparks a bigger discussion. Anything relevant can be turned into content for your site.

For the first year I had Google Alerts on for key phrases. Occasionally I'd compile a bunch of related opinions together from them and comment...or if I saw a really bad example, I'd point it out and talk about it. After awhile, though, I had more than enough to concern myself with and didn't need the Alerts anymore.

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jordorules

10 years ago

Thanks Jason Kanigan. Excellent suggestions! I can see your point after a while you just can't keep up with it all lol. Nice problem to have.

J

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kk075

10 years ago

Originally Posted by jordorules

Hello Fellow Warriors,

I'm learning a lot and thank you all for your expertise I don't take it for granted.

Here is my question.

I have a niche that I have a high degree of interest in and passion for but I'm not very knowledgeable in it YET that is. So would it be a mistake to start an authority website and build my knowledge as I go along and have other members join my forum and assist me build this?

Although Sid is one of my personal heroes here since he always has great answers, I have to completely disagree on this one. If you're not knowledgeable, then your content is not going to help anyone....so you're really just wasting your time. The whole idea of an authority site is to let people get in-depth answers in a simple, easy to understand way so they can apply it to their personal life, and you're not ready to deliver that.

So save yourself some trouble; either become an authority on the subject BEFORE starting the site (which is exactly what Sid said) or don't bother doing it at all. Because trying to learn while you teach is always a recipe for disaster.

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Frank Donovan

10 years ago

Originally Posted by jordorules

Yes I heard as long as you give them the credit and post a link to their site it's ok to re-post it on your site, I guess asking for permission is always the best way to go of course.J

Jordo, you heard wrong, even though it's a common misconception. Giving credit or posting a link doesn't make it okay to use someone else's content. You'll always need permission, either directly or implicitly, from the copyright owner.

Originally Posted by kk075

Although Sid is one of personal heroes since he always has great answers, I have to completely disagree on this one. If you're not knowledgeable, then your content is not going to help anyone....so you're really just wasting your time. The whole idea of an authority site is to let people get in-depth answers in a simple, easy to understand way so they can apply it to their personal life, and you're not ready to deliver that.

So save yourself some trouble; either become an authority on the subject BEFORE starting the site (which is exactly what Sid said) or don't bother doing it at all. Because trying to learn while you teach is always a recipe for disaster.

There's more than one type of authority site. If I understand the OP's intention, he's passionate about a particular topic and wants to bring together as much relevant and interesting material on that subject as he can - I didn't see anything specifically about teaching.

As long as he's able to identify the sort of content that his readers would like, his own expertise isn't of prime importance - he just needs to be a competent editor. And his knowledge of the subject, and understanding of his readership's preferences will increase as the site grows.

.

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kk075

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Frank Donovan

There's more than one type of authority site. If I understand the OP's intention, he's passionate about a particular topic and wants to bring together as much relevant and interesting material on that subject as he can - I didn't see anything specifically about teaching.

As long as he's able to identify the sort of content that his readers would like, his own expertise isn't of prime importance - he just needs to be a competent editor. And his knowledge of the subject, and understanding of his readership's preferences will increase as the site grows.

.

Here's why I said what I said- for the vast majority of people who post, "I am really interested in a particular niche but I really don't know anything about it," it ends up being a make money online blog. So we give the advice to follow your passions and all of that garbage, and the next thing you know this person is selling a $29 eBook that they bought elsewhere for $29. And no offense to anyone who does that, but it's not only a waste of time...it's a scam that borders on being a crime (depending on the claims).

Now, if the OP says that he wants to make a site on...heck, I don't know....vintage German watches....then I'd say to go for it. Arena league football? Sure. Best new drama series on TV? I could see that too. A country music fan site? Anything like that works if he's really into it and willing to dedicate the time to learn that genre. But when you're talking about a site purely for monetization, then you need to be an authority before you start the journey. Because there's nothing worse that seeing someone say, "Buy my stuff and become an expert", when they have no clue what they're talking about.

An authority site, by definition, is where people go to learn. They buy from the authority not because of empty promises and slick sales tactics, but because that person has proven their knowledge and is deemed trustworthy. The OP doesn't have that knowledge and we don't know what his intentions are...so telling him to "go for it" and become an authority as he grows is reckless advice.

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@tjr

10 years ago

Originally Posted by kk075

Although Sid is one of personal heroes since he always has great answers, I have to completely disagree on this one. If you're not knowledgeable, then your content is not going to help anyone....so you're really just wasting your time. The whole idea of an authority site is to let people get in-depth answers in a simple, easy to understand way so they can apply it to their personal life, and you're not ready to deliver that.

So save yourself some trouble; either become an authority on the subject BEFORE starting the site (which is exactly what Sid said) or don't bother doing it at all. Because trying to learn while you teach is always a recipe for disaster.

If you're good at learning, at figuring out the answers to the burning questions that you and your target audience has then this is no problem.

The only issue would be honesty in presentation.

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zdebx

10 years ago

Exactly what Sid Hale said.

No website is born as an "authority", unless it's a general government website providing some info on gov's services, etc.

When you start a website/blog, the only thing you should worry about is producing real genuine content and networking with others in your niche, making connections, sharing and all that.

Authority comes with time, when you've established yourself, provided tons of content for the community, etc.

Take this forum as an example...I doubt when it was launched in 2001 it was an authority, but over time as it attracted more audience and people shared it, while also putting tons of content in it, and you can see the result now.

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nmwf 10 years ago

Originally Posted by zdebx

No website is born as an "authority", unless it's a general government website providing some info on gov's services, etc.

Ha! Or born 20 friggin years ago!
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joseph7384

10 years ago

Originally Posted by kk075

Although Sid is one of personal heroes since he always has great answers, I have to completely disagree on this one. If you're not knowledgeable, then your content is not going to help anyone....so you're really just wasting your time. The whole idea of an authority site is to let people get in-depth answers in a simple, easy to understand way so they can apply it to their personal life, and you're not ready to deliver that.

So save yourself some trouble; either become an authority on the subject BEFORE starting the site (which is exactly what Sid said) or don't bother doing it at all. Because trying to learn while you teach is always a recipe for disaster.

There is nothing wrong with starting a blog with the intent of it some day becoming an authority site, and yes he will learn as he goes, he is not starting an authority site, as Sid said authority is bestowed upon you by your readers.

Originally Posted by jordorules

Hello Fellow Warriors,

I'm learning a lot and thank you all for your expertise I don't take it for granted.

Here is my question.

I have a niche that I have a high degree of interest in and passion for but I'm not very knowledgeable in it YET that is. So would it be a mistake to start an authority website and build my knowledge as I go along and have other members join my forum and assist me build this?

As long as my passion and integrity are there isn't that all that matters as the rest can be built. It's not like I know nothing about it but I'm not nearly as informed as many others out there. It goes without saying I wouldn't try and fake my expertise and would be upfront about it and that I really desire to learn from other masters of this niche.

Isn't it better to build an authentic authority website even when your not yet an authority but desire to be vs building an authority website of something that your really not that interested in learning anyway just to build it into a profitable venture?

Is that "against the rules" so to speak?

I'd really appreciate your insights on this.

Thanks.

J

I think this article will provide you with some insight and inspiration!
Yahoo!

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Ben West

10 years ago

I saw a quote earlier today that might apply to you.

"Companies with a higher purpose are more profitable than those that just think about the bottom line."

If you have a passion and want to try make a living out of it, then go for it. But make sure you aren't just simply milking that passion. Bring something to it before you start thinking about how to take from it.

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jordorules

10 years ago

Wow a difference of views I love it!

Thanks Warriors!

Im talking about gathering info in an area Im interested in and sharing it only if its quality and if an affiliate program meets my strict standards then Ill share it. If they buy great if not they know that it exists.

More than just affiliate programs too keep in mind. All kinds of value added will be invested where I get paid nothing as thats what producing great content takes.

Not trying to teach but share and discuss and all grow together.

All great advice thanks but I still roll with Sid.

J

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jordorules

10 years ago

Maybe authority website definition doesnt fit??

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nmwf 10 years ago

Originally Posted by jordorules

Maybe authority website definition doesnt fit??

In its Human Quality Guide, Google describes how a sample, haunted hotel webpage is authoritative. I highlighted the interesting factors:

"There is no formal recognition of expertise or authority for this topic. However, this page has extensive information and a very detailed account of how this place is haunted, including a history of the hotel. It's clear that time, effort, and expertise went into writing the content on this page. Although the only contact information for the website is a phone number and contact form, it is sufficient for this type of website."

I guess if you're planning on putting those things into your site, you'll be an authority on 'something.'
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jordorules

10 years ago

OR growing passionately and honestly to become one. Its splitting hairs really but I think I can do it and not offend people. If they are offended by honest hard work that answers questions they have weekly then thats their choice. Cant make everyone happy. J

J

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jordorules

10 years ago

It can work Ive seen it with a friend of mine that did it within the Satellite TV industry. People many times just appreciate the respect as nobody seems to give it anymore.

I love the example was Allen Says an authotity in 1997? Maybe he knew some but compared to what he grew too just a infitesmible fraction. 18 years later he is THE top dog authority in IM.

Great case study!

Thanks Warriors you rock!

J

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Authority Website - Not YET An Authority

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