Run Expert Roundups to Build Authority

By Niranjan Yamgar
Run Expert Roundups to Build Authority

If you want to grow your business online, you need to show that you are a trusted expert. One of the best ways to do this is to run expert roundups to build authority in your field. Think of it like hosting a party where all the big names in your industry come and share their best ideas. You become the host, and everyone starts seeing you as an important person too. This method helps you connect with influencers, get lots of shares on social media, and improve your website’s Google ranking. It is a powerful strategy for any small business in India, whether you have a local shop, you are a freelancer, or you sell products online. This guide will teach you, in very simple steps, how to create your own successful expert roundup post from start to finish.

What Exactly is an Expert Roundup Post?

So what is this expert roundup I am talking about? It is very simple. Imagine you have a question about your business, like what is the best way to use WhatsApp for marketing?. Instead of just answering it yourself, you ask this question to 20, 30, or even 50 top experts in marketing. You then collect all their answers and publish them together in a single article on your website. This article is called an expert roundup. It is like creating a super-guide full of wisdom from many smart people. Readers love it because they get many different viewpoints and tips in one place. And because all these experts are featured, they will likely share the article with their own followers, bringing you a lot of free traffic and attention. It is a win-win situation for you, the experts, and your audience.

Why Expert Roundups are a Superhit Strategy for Your Business

Doing an expert roundup is not just about creating a long article. It has many benefits that can help your business grow in a big way. Let's look at why this is a superhit strategy for anyone serious about digital marketing.

  • Builds Authority and Trust: When you feature well-known experts on your blog, their authority rubs off on you. People start to see your brand as a credible source of information. You are not just saying you are good; you are showing it by connecting with the best in the business.
  • Drives Huge Traffic to Your Website: This is one of the biggest benefits. Every expert you feature is likely to share the roundup post with their audience on social media and through their email newsletters. This can bring thousands of new visitors to your website who may not have found you otherwise.
  • Boosts Your SEO and Google Rankings: When experts share your post, they often link back to your website. These backlinks from high-authority sites are like votes of confidence for Google. The more quality backlinks you get, the higher your website will rank in search results for your topics. This is a powerful link-building strategy.
  • Grows Your Professional Network: Reaching out to experts is a great way to start a relationship. You are not just asking for a favour; you are giving them a platform to share their knowledge. This can lead to future collaborations, partnerships, or even friendships with influential people in your industry.
  • Creates Evergreen Content: A good roundup post with timeless advice can continue to attract traffic and build authority for years. It is not content that becomes outdated quickly. People will keep referring to it, making it a valuable asset for your website.
  • Increases Social Shares and Engagement: Roundup posts are highly shareable. People love to share content that is packed with tips from multiple experts. This leads to more likes, comments, and shares across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, increasing your brand's visibility.

Mini-Guide: How to Create a Killer Expert Roundup Post

Creating an expert roundup might seem like a lot of work, but if you follow a step-by-step process, it becomes very easy. Here is a simple guide for a beginner to create their first roundup post and make it a success.

Step 1: Choose a Topic That People Are Searching For

The first step is to pick a topic that your audience is genuinely interested in. The topic should be specific and solve a real problem. For example, instead of a broad topic like Digital Marketing Tips, choose something specific like 'How Small Shops in India Can Get Their First 100 Customers Online?'.

To find good topics, you can:

  • Check Online Forums: Visit websites like Quora or Reddit and see what questions people in your industry are asking.
  • Use Keyword Research Tools: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find out what your target audience is searching for. Look for questions with good search volume.
  • Look at Competitor Blogs: See what kind of roundup posts have worked well for others in your niche. You can get ideas and think about how to create something even better.

Once you have a topic, you need to frame a great question for the experts. A good question is one that encourages detailed and actionable answers, not just a simple yes or no.

Step 2: Find the Right Experts to Feature

Now it is time to make a list of experts to contact. You want to find people who are well-respected in your niche and have an active online presence. The goal is to get a good number of experts, say between 20 to 50, for a powerful roundup.

Here is how you can find them:

  • Google Search: Simply search for things like 'top marketing bloggers in India' or 'best SEO experts'. You will find many lists and articles.
  • Social Media: LinkedIn and Twitter are great places to find industry leaders. Search for relevant hashtags or keywords and see who is leading the conversation.
  • Other Roundup Posts: Look at other successful roundups in your industry and see which experts were featured. This is a ready-made list for you.

When you find an expert, make a list in a spreadsheet with their name, website, and email address. Finding email addresses can be tricky, but you can often find them on their website’s contact page or by using tools designed for email discovery.

Step 3: Reach Out to the Experts with a Personal Touch

This is the most important step. You need to send an email to each expert inviting them to participate. Do not send a generic, boring email. Personalize it!

Here is a simple email template you can adapt:

Subject: Quick Question for Your Expert Opinion

Hi [Expert’s Name],

My name is [Your Name] and I run [Your Website Name]. I am a big fan of your work, especially your recent article on [mention a specific article or post]. It helped me a lot.

I am creating an expert roundup post for my readers on the topic: '[Your Question]'.

I would be thrilled to feature your expert advice on this. Your insights would be incredibly valuable for our audience of [describe your audience, e.g., small business owners in India].

If you are interested, could you please share a short answer (100-150 words) to the question?

Of course, we will give you full credit with a backlink to your website and promote the post to our audience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Remember to follow up politely if you do not hear back in a week. Experts are busy people, so a gentle reminder can be helpful.

Step 4: Collect and Organize the Expert Answers

As the experts start replying, your job is to collect their answers. Create a folder in your email or a document to keep everything organized. Copy and paste each expert's answer, their name, their website URL, and a link to their photo.

Once you have a good number of responses, read through them. Look for common themes, interesting ideas, or even conflicting opinions. This will help you structure your article in a more engaging way. You can group similar answers together to make the post easier to read.

Step 5: Write and Format Your Roundup Post

Now it is time to put everything together. A good roundup post is more than just a list of quotes. It needs a proper introduction, your own insights, and a conclusion.

  • Start with a Strong Introduction: Write an engaging intro that explains the topic and why it is important. Mention that you have gathered insights from top experts.
  • Feature the Experts Clearly: For each expert, include their photo, their name, a brief bio, and a link to their website. Then, present their answer. This gives them proper credit and looks professional.
  • Add Your Own Voice: Do not just copy and paste. After a few expert opinions, you can add a small summary or your own thoughts. This shows you are an expert too, not just a collector of quotes.
  • Create a Visually Appealing Post: Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and images to break up the text. A long wall of text is hard to read. A well-formatted post keeps readers engaged.
  • End with a Powerful Conclusion: Summarize the key takeaways from the expert answers. End with a call to action, like asking readers to share their own tips in the comments.

Step 6: Promote Your Masterpiece Everywhere

Your work is not done once you hit publish. Promotion is key to making your roundup a success.

  • Email the Experts: Send a thank-you email to every expert who participated. Give them the link to the published post and make it easy for them to share it. You can even provide pre-written social media messages.
  • Share on Social Media: Promote the post heavily on all your social media channels. Tag each expert every time you share it on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. This will encourage them to re-share.
  • Email Your Subscribers: Send a broadcast to your email list announcing your new epic post.
  • Reach Out to Other Bloggers: Find other bloggers who write about similar topics and let them know about your roundup. If it is a high-quality resource, they might link to it in their future articles. You can explore a valuable resource on link building at Ahrefs' guide to link building for more ideas.

Making Your Roundup Stand Out: Pro Tips

Many people create roundup posts, so how do you make yours special? Here are some tips to make your roundup truly shine and deliver results.

Ask Unique and Thought-Provoking Questions

Instead of asking a generic question that has been answered a thousand times, try to find a unique angle. A question that makes experts think will lead to more interesting and valuable answers.

Boring QuestionGreat Question
What is your best SEO tip?What is one unconventional SEO strategy that delivered surprising results for you?
Is content marketing important?If a local business had only 5,000 rupees per month for content marketing, what is the first thing they should spend it on?

Add Your Own Expert Analysis

Your roundup post is your platform. After presenting the expert answers, add your own analysis. You can highlight the most common advice, point out a surprising tip, or provide a step-by-step plan based on the experts' suggestions. This elevates you from a content curator to a thought leader.

Turn It Into a Visual Asset

People love visuals. You can create a beautiful infographic summarizing the key tips from the roundup. Or you could create small quote graphics for each expert and share them on Instagram or Pinterest. Visuals are highly shareable and can expand the reach of your post even further.

Real Examples for Indian Businesses

Let's see how different types of Indian businesses can use this strategy.

  • A Local Saree Shop in Jaipur: The owner could create a roundup on the topic, 'What are the upcoming trends in traditional Indian wear?'. They could reach out to fashion bloggers, designers, and influencers. This would position their shop as a trendsetter, attract fashion-conscious customers, and build valuable connections in the fashion industry.
  • A Freelance Content Writer from Mumbai: A writer could do a roundup on 'What is the biggest mistake businesses make with their website content?'. They could interview marketing heads of startups, digital agency owners, and senior content strategists. This would showcase their expertise, build authority, and attract high-paying clients who need quality content.
  • An Online Seller of Organic Spices: This seller could create a roundup featuring food bloggers and chefs on the topic, 'What is one secret spice that can transform a simple home-cooked meal?'. This would be highly interesting for their target audience, drive traffic from food blogs, and increase sales of their spices.

Final Thoughts from Niranjan Yamgar

Your Gateway to Becoming a Known Expert

Creating an expert roundup post is more than just a content strategy; it is a powerful relationship-building and authority-building tool. It might take some effort, but the rewards in terms of traffic, SEO, and networking are immense. For any Indian business, big or small, this is a practical way to get noticed in a crowded online world. Do not be afraid to reach out to the big names. You will be surprised how many are willing to help if you approach them professionally and with a great topic. So go ahead, create your first roundup, and take a big step towards becoming a recognized authority in your field. If you need guidance on executing advanced growth strategies for your brand, connect with our team of leading digital growth consultants.