How Talking to Local Experts Can Make Your Business Stand Out
People trust businesses that know what they’re talking about. One of the best ways to show you’re an expert is by sharing what other experts in your area have to say. When you interview local professionals and share their advice, it makes your business look more trustworthy and connected.
Why Talking to Other Experts Helps Your Business
When you share conversations with respected people in your field, it does three important things:
- Shows you’re part of the local business community
- Gives your customers useful information from multiple sources
- Makes your social media posts more interesting than just talking about yourself
Finding the Right People to Interview
Start with people you already know or work with:
- Other business owners who serve similar customers
- Suppliers who know your industry well
- Local teachers or trainers in your field
- Longtime customers who understand what you do
Look for people who have been in business longer than you or who specialize in something related to your work.
How to Ask for an Interview
Most people will say yes if you make it easy for them. Try something like this:
“Hi [Name], I’m putting together some helpful information for my customers about [topic]. Since you know so much about [specific area], would you be willing to share a few thoughts? It would just take about 10 minutes, and I can do it by phone or email – whatever works best for you.”
Simple Ways to Do the Interview
You don’t need fancy equipment or special skills. Here are three easy options:
- Email Questions: Send 3-5 simple questions and ask them to reply whenever they have time.
- Phone Call: Have a quick conversation and take notes or record it (always ask permission to record first).
- In-Person Chat: Meet at your business or theirs and take pictures while you talk.
Good Questions to Ask
Keep questions focused on helping your customers. Try these:
- “What’s one thing people often get wrong about [topic]?”
- “What should customers look for when choosing [product/service]?”
- “Can you share a tip that would help people [solve common problem]?”
- “How has [industry] changed in our area recently?”
Turning the Interview into Content
You can use one interview to create several posts:
- Share one good quote with a photo of the person
- Make a short video of you discussing their advice
- Create a simple graphic with their top tips
- Write a blog post summarizing what you learned
Always tag the person when you share their advice and thank them publicly.
Making It Work for Your Business
This approach helps position you as someone who cares about giving good information, not just making sales. When customers see you connecting with other experts, they’ll start seeing you as an expert too.
Start small – try reaching out to just one person this week. You might be surprised how willing people are to help, and how much it can boost your business’s reputation.
