Becoming the Expert – Part 1
Let’s face it – this is what we’re all striving for, right?
We want to be acknowledged as an expert in our field. We want customers to recognize our expertise so they’ll trust us with their dollars. We want bloggers and reporters to see us as an expert so they’ll use as a source and send traffic our way. And, of course, we want Google to think we’re an expert so it’ll deliver new eyes and more conversions. We’re all fighting the expert game. But how do we really become one?
I’m often asked how small business owners should go about building their expertise online and in person. here you go!
- Have a Voice on Multiple Platforms
Guy Kawasaki is a great example here. He spends a great deal of time live-streaming, but he’s also active on other social sites. He speaks publicly, gives webinars, and shares his insights on public forums. He’s everywhere, because his audience is everywhere. By focusing on more than one channel, he reaches a wider audience.
That being said, don’t overextend your reach. Only take on what you have time to handle. If you set up 10 social media profiles but only have time to update three, the other seven will fall short. Figure out where you most enjoy spending time, online and off, and make those your priorities.
- Share Great Content
This doesn’t always mean it’s your own content. David Meerman Scott shares a great mix of content from his own blog, as well as other content he thinks is relevant to his followers.
Spend time each day curating what’s out there in the world of web. Share it. Comment on it and add your own insight.
- Be a Resource
People who are truly passionate about what they do find it easy to answer questions and give advice. If you meet me at a networking event, chances are, I’ll give you a few marketing tips. I can’t help it. This is a great way to be considered a thought leader.
Focus on delivering value, online and off, not making a sale. Have a genuine interest in helping others. Soon, they’ll send other people to you and word will get around that you’re simply a nice person who knows your stuff. That builds trust and trust is one of the key components to getting people to buy from you, especially in business services, when the product can’t always speak for itself the way a box of detergent can.
- Keep Learning
The thing about being an expert is – you never reach the pinnacle of knowing it all. There’s always more to learn and other ways to grow. Be humble and open to learning. Read blogs and websites, books and magazines. Attend seminars and workshops. Hone your craft. After all, technology constantly changes the game for most of us, so there’s always fresh information that can help keep you the smartest person in the room, if you’re willing to learn it.
The learning doesn’t have to be specifically related to what you do. Check out Coursera or other online learning and learn something completely left field. You might find it enhances your business skills in surprising ways.
- Make Connections
Great thought leaders want to help people. If you meet a graphic designer and you happen to know someone who needs one, make the connection. It might not serve you directly, but people appreciate the effort and you never know where it’ll come back to you down the road.
Being a thought leader involves positioning yourself as an expert and genuinely wanting to help people. By taking these actions, you’ll build a loyal following you can convert into customers.
- Be different
The first step of being known as an expert is being known at all. And to do that, you need to stand out. Identify what is different or a little bit kooky about your business, and then bleed it from everything pore available. Now, before you go crazy, simply being weird isn’t enough. You have to be weird in a way that serves your audience. What is weird about you that helps them achieve their goals? How does your uniqueness make you better suited to serve their needs? That’s your point of difference.
If you don’t know what your POD is, ask your audience. Why do they do business with you? What keeps them coming back? You may be surprised at what they tell you.
Above are 6 of 12 tips I would give to anyone trying to increase their expertise online. This was a long post so i’ve segmented it into two. Check out next week’s post for the remaining 6!
Now Go Get Connected!

An award-winning Leader, Entrepreneur and Business Development Consultant, Cathy teaches entrepreneurs how to increase their influence; build their business and stay sane while doing it. She helps you to let go of limiting beliefs to “Stand Up, Stand Out & Step Forward” for business success. Named one of the Top Ten Mentors by StartUp Canada, Cathy is recognized across the country for her expertise on “All Things Small Biz”. She is the Founder of the Connected Woman community, author of numerous books and articles, host of the podcast When Women Talk, and is a networking maven. (whew!)
For information on upcoming workshops, business coaching or to engage Cathy as a Keynote speaker at your next event, visit www.cathykuzel.com
Copyright Cathy Kuzel 2024
Want to use this article? You are most welcome to place it in your Newsletter, E-zine or on your Web site provided it is copied in its entirety, including the title, byline, copyright notice and the following paragraph with a live link back to my Web site.