Become An Expert in Five Steps
Becoming known as an expert isn't quite so hard,
though it will take effort to develop the image. Notice I said
becoming "known", not merely becoming. Those are two different
things.
For those in a particular field who want to improve their
standing as an opinion leader or stand out as someone "in the
know", here are a few tips to help make the transition from
unknown into expert.
1. Determine what it is you want to be an opinion
leader in, or what it is that you want to be known
for.
Often times, people choose a subject matter that they are
already familiar with, have some experience in, or have a
raging interest in. Others, merely look at an area of what is
most popular or profitable at the time.
Online marketers crop up all the time as a plethora of
marketing material has been made available to people within a
few keystrokes. Joint venture/collaborative promotions in an
online format has made it easy to draw attention to one's
promotional activities.
Think about overnight successes as a result of media
recently: from Joe the Plumber to that lady from Scotland who
wowed Simon Cowell.
2. Do your
homework.
At least one Harvard study has shown that it takes about
1000 hours of practice to become an expert at some activity, be
it language, an instrument or any other activity to want to
perform very well at.
I can remember a former executive chef telling me "you
weren't an expert at anything until you've done it a thousand
times."
TIP: Develop a spreadsheet or other
tracking system with 1000 blocks in it. Write down each time
you spend one hour or an episode on developing your
expertise. Also, write down what you studied, learned, proved
or applied and what to improve upon or what worked, so that you
can plan future practice sessions.
Recent studies suggest that "deliberate practice"
is one key to developing greatness at something, and that
it isn't much fun.
3. Develop your own opinions
Everyone has an opinion. Experts are paid to have them.
Having an opinion does not equate with being timid, sorry. You
will have to sometimes be vocal about your position and NOT
back down or apologize for them.
Publish and share them with other people of influence who
can promulgate them. Make them viral. Draw attention to
them.
People make six-figures doing this....blogging. They don't
have to be correct; they just have to be. Interesting research
in persuasion shows that the more an individual is subjected to
an opinion or viewpoint, the more likely he/she is to adopt
it.
4. Get out and talk.
You've got to self-promote in the beginning. At first, this
could mean having to do a lot of 'meet-and-greet'
opportunities, but getting in front of groups of people and
speaking about your expertise is a necessary part of becoming
an opinion leader.
And opinion leaders become experts.
You must, however, get testimonials or
'success stories' (written, with an 'okay to
publish') from people who've heard you speak. This
is critical to getting improved PR and marketing muscle behind
you.
It's been said that marketing (metaphorically) is: "Hello.
I'm Michael Rinaldi. I deliver the best seminars in our
profession."
Conversely, public relations is: "Hi, I'm Jessica Smith. I
just went to a seminar put on by Michael Rinaldi. It was
without a doubt, one of the best I've heard in 22 years of
being in my field."
Get the point?
Good. Get the testimonial.
5. Write a book
I have two friends who are experts in their respective
fields. One is resisting writing a book despite having
substantial experience and insight into his profession. The
other is getting ready to publish a booklet to a specific
sub-group of his expertise.
The difference?
The first friend's income is dropping as is attendance at
his seminars.
The other's income went up $35K in three months as other
parts of his business got hammered due to the economic slow
down.
There are many reasons people write a book.
- You get instant credibility
- People automatically assume you're an expert as a
book has life
- It remains as part of your CV, or at least your claim
to fame.
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