Can You Become an Expert in Your Field?

Copyright © Marion Stearns - All Rights Reserved

http://www.admistress.com/column

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To become a valued e-expert, a writer and advisor in your
field, you really don't need high-rise levels of expertise.
You can begin by studying the material in your field. Get a
FIRM grip on the basics then accumulate enough experience
to be considered an expert. This is a process. This doesn't
happen overnight.

Once you select your specialty, you'll need to know more
about your field than most of the people you'll be writing
for. Grasping a basic knowledge of your specialty, and
where the future lies within it, can get you started on
your expert journey. You'll build your expertise through
your experiences and credibility.

How DO You Begin?

1. A good starting place for your "on-the-job" training,
is finding AND reading specialized e-magazines. Subscribe
to as many of these ezines as you can possibly read, on
your own selected topic.

2. Be sure to read articles on your topic. Search for
article information on your topic. Use the information that
you'll feel comfortable using, as a basis for your field of
expertise. Make a note of HOW the articles are written and
pay attention to the types of information they provide to
the reader. If it's over your head beyond reason, save it
and keep looking for less complicated details.

3. In the beginning, to gain consideration as an expert,
you should work on becoming known as a specialist in one
field. Accumulated experience will expand your horizons in
due time.

4. Cruise the Net! Be on the look-out for industry news
briefs and topic-related companies. Find websites with the
same or similar topics. Always remember that you must be
able to write and answer questions about your specialized
topic. Experts do have a lot of answers.

5. Are there advantages to taking class instructions?
Sure. You can learn a lot and form marketing relationships
with people who have an interest in your field. You must
understand relationship marketing to make yourself an
expert. If you have to, email or call people in your field.
Ask questions or advice. Be friendly and polite. Learn all
you can learn from these people who know MORE than you.
Once you become an expert, you can help other aspiring
experts!

6. KEEP Writing! Your specialty area might be be specific
or general. Broaden your horizons as you build upon your
own experience. There's nothing more aggravating than a
"wanna-be" self-proclaimed specialist, who knows ZERO!

Time, skills, reliability and credibility create experts.
Maintaining expert status in ANY field is always a process
in the making. You'll do fine if you make a habit to stay
abreast of current events in your field. If you get lazy,
remember that you don't have many options here. You'll
either build on everything you've already learned or you'll
forget it all, be passed up and be considered a real e-flop.
Which would you prefer? Find a good mentor. Get the help you
need to become a respected expert in your field!

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