The following is an excerpt from the book Fifty-one Ways to Build your Community of Clients Online: How Women are Using the Web to Grow their Business, Reach the Right Customers, and Make a Difference, by Monica S. Flores. Purchase the book online or at Amazon.

Tip 25. You’re a Clearinghouse: Link to Subject Matter

Subject matter changes so quickly as knowledge grows in a particular field. Today’s information worker typically processes more information in a month than any educated person three hundred years ago processed in a year. Because of the ever-expanding knowledge base in the world, your reputation as someone “in the know” helps your customers and clients trust your judgement.

When you act as a clearinghouse of select information, your web visitors use your site as a one-stop shop with resources to benefit their lives, improve their work environment, or keep ahead of changes in the field. Provide links to the following:

1) Articles in the news that directly impact your clients
2) Editorials on trends in your industry
3) Tools such as software or physical objects that will make your customers’ lives easier
4) Upcoming or expected regulation from the government in your field
5) Policy changes that impact your company
6) International trends or agreements that impact clients
7) An introduction to key players in your industry
8) Answers or viewpoints from industry leaders
9) Emerging trends that your customers may not know

As you add up-to-date information on your industry, others will view your site as a trusted information source.