Photo Courtesy of Viernest (flickr)
Expert is a great buzz word online today because our perception of others as experts has changed dramatically since the birth of the Internet. Twenty years ago, or even sooner than that, being an expert meant having a PhD, decades of experience, and a dozen best-selling books. Today, being an expert could mean many different things. Here’s a breakdown of how you can become an expert quickly and with greater ease than you think.
Expert Loosely Defined: someone widely recognized as a reliable source of information and/or special skills
1. Establish What Credibility Means in Your Industry
Having worked many jobs myself, I can tell you that every industry is different. Being a credible expert will vary dramatically across the board. Know your industry and know it well. If you want to teach, having a PhD is highly recommended; but if you want to act on Broadway, no one really cares how many years of school you’ve toiled through or what diplomas hang on your wall at home. Look at the people who you consider to be experts in your field and copy them.
2. Forget Formal Education
Unless you’re planning on being a doctor, lawyer, or college professor, it is unlikely you need advanced degrees to move forward. In the world of education, degrees matter. In the world of business, results matter. As much as you want to flaunt your degrees to everyone you meet, the real world doesn’t care as much as you do about your GPA. Make things happen and be able to show the numbers to prove your accomplishments. Which sounds better: having an MBA, or owning a business that profits $20 million a year?
3. Write Articles
This is by far the EASIEST thing you can do to start gaining some recognition. The written word is a quick and easy way to establish yourself as a credible source of knowledge on any topic! Check out EzineArticles, Examiner, or eHow to get started contributing immediately.
4. Start a Blog and/or Podcast
Just like you’re reading now, writing a blog is probably the second easiest thing you can do to get noticed and share your knowledge and passion with the world. Check out this blog post on how to get started blogging. Podcasting is another great way to speak your mind if you enjoy talking about your industry. Grab a microphone, record a few quick episodes, add them to iTunes, and you’re already there.
5. Write a Book
Authors are the most highly recognized experts in ANY industry. If you’re truly serious about gaining recognition and establish awesome credibility, writing your own book is your best opportunity. Make it easy. Write an eBook, which is simply a Word document converted to a PDF. Record the audio yourself and turn the eBook into an audio book. Finally, self-publish the printed book. This could be as easy as printing the eBook and selling it as is. No one said the book had to be pretty, just completed.
6. Get Mentioned in the News
Though this sounds more difficult, it doesn’t have to be, especially if you’ve already finished that book you’re now thinking about and have a few articles published online. First, call a local journalist and tell them you’re a new author who is always available as a reference for your industry. Second, join PRNewswire or any other service where journalists seek out experts to use as sources on their stories.
*Read Part 2 of How to Become an Expert – Fast
Don’t forget to check out my new revolutionary eBook for conquering life after college!
The Clueless Graduate,
Jeff Sanders
Follow @cluelessgrad
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