How To Become An Expert

In order for you to succeed, you must be able to stand out in a crowd.

One of the greatest ways to do this is to position yourself as an expert in your chosen field.

When a potential client is trying to determine one firm from another, do they go to the firm that has a nice marketing brochure full of colour pictures and promises? No, they are more likely to go to the individual who is a recognised leader and expert.

The main difference between you and other so-called experts is the way in which you communicate.

Here are some of the easiest ways to begin to be recognised as an expert in your field. And by the way, experts charge a premium for their services and can be really picky about who they take on as clients.

Write Articles

Pick a hot, or at least useful, topic in your field and write an article about it.

Think that's too hard? Then make up a list of the top 10 things to consider when doing whatever it is you do.

Make contact with a publication that is read by your target market. For example, the real estate or money section of your local free paper is always going to be looking for fresh content.

Then send the article to them.

It is a good idea to be familiar with the publications you are trying to write for so that you can match their needs and style.

When trying to break in to this, don't go straight to the top.

Go for an industry or internet newsletter. They are much more open to beginners and nobody cares that only five people read your article. You're published. By the way, published articles make great marketing materials when reprinted.

Create A Workshop

Offering workshops that can attract potential clients is a great way to cultivate your expert status.

Groups of all shapes and sizes need speakers for lunch and dinner meetings. Work on your presentation skills in these free and often very friendly settings so nobody gets hurt while you are in training.

You can branch out to bigger and better things and may even be able to look at your workshops as an additional revenue stream once you develop a bit of a following. Don't forget industry trade shows and internet channels either.

Get Quoted

Make a list of every reporter you can find that covers your industry and then begin to routinely send them interesting industry data, surveys, stories, and ideas. Don't pitch them on your firm; just become a trusted source of information.

In time, after you have proven that you can make their job easier, they will begin to seek quotes and information from you.

Most reporters are trained to find at least three sources to quote in every article they write. Now you know how to become one of them.

Conduct A Survey

Everybody wants to know what the numbers say. Look for ways to measure some hot or even unusual trend in the home loan industry and then conduct a survey (scientific or not) that can be turned into an interesting story or “did you know” snippet for publication.

There are many companies that use this technique often to hold the position of industry trend spotter and leader.

Remember, surveys don’t have to have thousands of respondents. Even the national election polls rely on about one thousand responses to draw their conclusions.

Write A Book

Nothing says “expert” like a published author. Don't discount this one as too hard for you to do. If you do a little research on the topic of publishing you will discover that, while not a cakewalk, it has become much easier to do.

Look at people such as Margaret Lomas (Destiny Financial Solutions) and Chan & Naylor (tax and property investment accountants). They are considered experts partly on the strength of their book publishing.