You! As the Expert Final Installation

Over the past couple of weeks we have talked about the 5 things you must
know as an expert, and the two things that must be in place before you
can become an expert.  Now it is time to explore HOW to become an
expert.

As we have talked about before, clients work with people they know, like and
trust.  When you are an expert in your field, people often already
feel like they know, like and trust you.  And because of this, when a
client needs the solution to their problem that YOU provide – they will come to
you first.  And this means new clients, increased sales, and a bigger
bottom line for your business.

Use the following steps to help identify YOU as an expert in your field.

1. Decide what you want to be known for. This is crucial to
establishing yourself as an expert.  For example, if you are a window
treatment designer, you may want to be an expert in ALL phases of window design
- or concentrate on "family friendly" design - or concentrate
on "drapes for 2 story rooms" design.  Don’t think you are
limiting yourself!  This helps everyone know exactly what topic you are an
expert on.

2.  Write. Now that you know your expertise – let’s say it is
"family friendly" window design – the quickest way to establish
yourself as an expert is to write about it.  There are a limitless number
of media outlets today that need what you know! So write it down and share it
with them.  To start: traditional newspapers and magazines, online
magazines, blogs, OTHER peoples newsletters, organziations newsletter.
Oh!  And you can ALWAYS write a book!

TIP:  When you decide you are an expert in "Family
Friendly" window design, suddenly it is very clear who you should be
writing for.  AND – it is very clear who you should submit articles to -
parenting today, child care magazines, local parenting organizations, etc

3. Speak. Just like writing – share with others all that you
know about your expert topic by speaking to groups.  Again – if you
are "family friendly" – you could speak to moms groups, MOPS groups,
the local PTA or even hook up with a pediatricians office to speak to their
patients.

4.  Educational Classes.  I can’t express to you enough how
much I used this platform to build my design business!  Without fail
someone you teach a decorating class to will then hire you to do the
work.  In fact, one of the clients I work with one on one with her
business recently hosted a decorating class – 12 people took the class -
SEVEN hired her for consultations!!!!!! Now where else do you get
seven clients in one evening?

5. Website Portfolio.  A picture speaks a thousand words – there is
nothing like proof of the work that you have done – beautiful pictures – to
show you are an expert.

6.  Enter – and Win! – Competitions.  If you are winning
awards, you must be pretty good!  And it just boosts your expertise
ranking.  Recently a peer of ours, Judy Soccio of SR Design won
the window fashions magazine award for Workroom Ingenuity.  She is now
an "Award Winning Designer." Kind of makes her stand out in
a crowd, right?

6.  Information Products.  An extension of writing and the
classes you teach.  Turn your knowledge into a product that clients can
buy – more instant expertise!

So that is how you do it – in fact, it is how I have done it – and you can
do it too!  Review the past couple of posts and put together a
plan on how YOU are going to become an expert. And let me know how it goes!

-Mary

Mary Larsen