Are You Seen as an Expert?

Did you just hang out your shingle? Are you in the throes of getting started and wondering how the heck you attract more clients?

Well, one of the answers is to get seen as an expert in your field.

You’re probably sputtering right now….”Buuut how can I get known as an expert if I am just starting out? Who is going to believe me?” Etc., etc., etc.

Yes, there are tons of other people who claim to be experts out there today. Some of them are the genuine article, people who know tons about their area, and who’ve had much more experience in business than you.

Don’t kid yourself. Competition is fierce online and locally as well, unless you happen to have a very unique niche!

Having admitted that, you can’t let a little thing like that stop you from getting started.

It is extremely important to be seen as an expert. Why? Experts are more respected. They get media attention, which enables them to market more easily. An expert can command more in payment than someone else. Along with that, they do not get as much price resistance than a non-expert.

Are you suffering from what marketing gurus term “but-I’m-not-an-expert-yet-itis”?

Are you one of the people who is afraid to play bigger? Do you think it isn’t time to play bigger yet? Are you waiting for yet another credential to become yours before you put yourself out there? Perhaps you are waiting for that certain guru to send a nod of recognition your way?

You aren’t alone.  I’ve fallen prey to all these ruses to keep myself playing small, hiding behind my computer. It took a swift and painful kick in the pants to get me moving along. And, even today, at times I find myself being afraid.

However, it is EXTREMELY important to situate yourself as expert from the very start, no matter what you do for a living. It is imperative that you remember that you’re seen as an expert by your prospects, clients, customers, and the media if…

You Know More About “IT” Than Your Target Market Does

When I started writing my book Whole-Brain Business Plan™,  I wouldn’t have called myself an expert on business plans by any stretch of the imagination.

But, I’ve studied the topic in depth to write the book. I sifted through tons of information to get to the good stuff. And, I want to share what I know.

If you realize that it is as important to teach others how to get started at something as it is to teach more advanced people how to improve at something. And, you can make quite a good living just teaching people how to get started.

Walk the Talk First

Imagine this: you’ve just signed up for a program with an “expert.” You expect great things to come from the teachings of the expert. Then you find out that the person has not done the stuff they are expounding on themselves.

Have you done all the things you are teaching others to do?

Take me for instance…. as I write sections of my book, I make sure that I’ve done all that I ask the readyr to do. Nothing like trial by fire, eh?

Are you creating a high priced mentorship program about making a million dollars investing in real estate? Before charging lots of money for your personal time and advice, make sure you’ve made tons of money investing in real estate. Furthermore, ensure that you have done all the steps you’re asking your clients to do.

Once you’ve done them go forward with the confidence of a proven system under your belt.

Once you realize you’re simply teaching what you yourself have already done, it eliminates the  nervousness. It will make your sales much easier, and you will be comfortable charging a hefty fee.

You’ve Written a Book or Articles on the Subject

Nothing, but nothing, cries “EXPERT” like writing a book. Another surefire way is by writing articles.

Putting a pen to paper makes people think of you as an expert. All you may be doing is sharing what you know. The information may seem simple or common knowledge to you.

People’s perception, though, is that you are an authority on the subject. Of course, you have to make sense and have the proper grammar!

But all that is required is that you put yourself out there. It is an instant referral to you.

You’re the Expert ‘Cause You Say So

The story goes that Ali Brown dubbed herself “The Ezine Queen” when she first started her business. And, the way she tells it, she did it simply because it had a ring to it.

When you think of Muhammad Ali don’t you immediately think of him as “The Greatest”? Where did that come from? Bingo! He, himself, said called himself that! He just kept repeating it. Eventually, the media picked up on it and started calling him that as well.

If you have a good moniker in mind, go for it. Play around with powerful words and titles until you find one that makes your heart sing. Just be careful that you, like Ali, can back it up.

The Bottom Line Is… It’s up to you.

Until next time, enjoy!