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.

1. You get instant credibility
2. People automatically assume you're an expert as a book has life
3. It remains as part of your CV, or at least your claim to fame.