Putting Your Expert Team Together

As a freelance writer myself, I know how important it is to
have, and keep track of, experts to interview. Here are a
few ideas on the topic:

I always emphasize to clients and seminar participants how
important it is to start and maintain a "Team 100" list --
people to support you in whatever you are doing. It is also
equally important to start and maintain "Expert 100" list.
For a writer this is almost mandatory whether fiction or
nonfiction. However, even if you are a business owner or an
employee it is just as important to have this list. One of
the experts might be your next employer or a friend of one.

What is an Expert 100 list? Group of people who are experts
in their careers who you know a little or a lot that you
feel comfortable enough to contact them if and when you have
questions in their area. It doesn't matter whether the
questions are for your business or for your writing. .

There isn't a right way to track your list--computer or
index cards. MS Excel handles the process well. MS Access
offers an easy-to-set-up template that needs minor tweaking.
Outlook is a possibility as well, however, the file corrupts
easily. I began in Outlook, moved to MS Excel, and now use
Access. Even with never using Access before, I walked
through the learning curve in less than an hour.

Where to Begin Your List? Take the easy route; make a list
of friends, family, significant other’s parents, co-workers,
neighbors, and anyone else you know. What is their
expertise? You also want to track what some of them might
consider their hobby. I've met many whose hobby knowledge
is off the chart, including a seven year old on baseball
cards. Don't forget Mama favorite cooking recipes. How
about your family member’s friends, your parent’s friends,
or co-workers parents? Share what you are creating and
watch them start one of their own.

What about professors or teachers? Record any papers or
books they have written. Do they have a web site? Don't
know any local professor or teachers. Pick up the phone and
call the institution’s main office, they will gladly provide
you with a list of their experts who have agreed to be
contacted. Call and introduce yourself and discuss their
expertise--before you need them. You never know when they
know someone who knows someone who knows someone that might
be your ticket to fame or fortune. Yes, who you know does
matter. Take them to lunch at the school cafeteria. Send
them a book, article, or magazine with a topic of their
interest from time to time or send them an e-mail when you
come across an Internet article on their expertise. The two
or three minutes now will make a BIG difference later.

Seeing this from another angle -- think of the topics you
frequently write about or if a business owner or employee
what you need support on from time to time. Start by making
a list of those topics and then search to fill the list
starting with friends and then emanating outward.

What about the authors of the books you read? Or the
newspaper stories about local people? Do you belong to any
groups? What experts do you know there? Place them on your
Expert List. Remember though, the key is that you only want
to place them on the list if you feel comfortable contacting
them and know them in some slight way. If not, then you
need to take the initiative.

The hero in this is that you begin and you feel comfortable
enough to ask. Here’s a tip--people want you to ask. They
are proud of their expertise, it has taken them years to
obtain their knowledge, and they are proud of that. Rightly
so.

If you don't know them, pick up the phone and introduce
yourself. Choose to add one a week to your schedule.
Explain why you are calling, what you do, and offer to
exchange each other’s contact information. Track the date
of your contact and other tidbits they've shared. Always
ask permission if you can contact them again.

Are you an officer of a group? How about a member of a
writer’s group? Host an Expert Party. This could turn into
a yearly event. Invite experts relevant to your focus.
Start with professors and teachers. Charge a fee to members
to pay for the expert’s attendance. Invite vendors,
however, I suggest keeping the event charge-neutral (no
selling).

For nonfiction articles, ProfNet (http://www.profnet.com) is
an excellent place to find experts to interview. Pass the
synergy around, create an Expert 100 List, and more
importantly stay in touch with them. If they sell their
knowledge and you are not a writer be rest assure that if
you cross the threshold of their f*ree point they will tell
you.