Watch the news and observe the so-called “experts” on the economy or the latest tabloid trial. When you’re the expert, people pay attention to you more and take you up on your words. But what makes them more authoritative on a topic than anyone else?
Experience helps and knowledge helps, but the real difference is a keen eye for details. And if you happen to be passionate about the topic, you can definitely present yourself as an expert.
How to Present Yourself as an Expert
It’s no different presenting yourself as an expert in business than any other field. What does an expert get in a sales situation? You get credibility before you even get started selling anything. People come to you and you can charge more money. And your ability to present yourself as an expert is far less complicated than you might think.
You start off with information that’s of interest. ‘Did you know that today, you’re spending three times more money in advertising to try and get the same result that you would have gotten ten years ago?’
I might be selling marketing programs to make you more effective, but I gave you factual information. That’s real data, and it’s power like you can’t believe. What business owner wouldn’t want to stick around and hear free information about that (You are giving that info away for free!)? And you’re presenting yourself as an expert on how you can help them fix common marketing problems.
Decide What Is Important to Your Audience
Before you sell anything, you set up criteria on what would be important to your audience, something that they couldn’t logically say no to. It should be full of interesting data that is of value to your prospects, things that would make them say, ‘Holy Crap!’ or, ‘I didn’t know that.’ ‘Hmm that’s interesting!’
Of course, you can’t just say you’re an expert; you actually have to know what you’re talking about, so it requires research. You can outsource it or have an assistant gather it, but you still have to take the time to read it, understand it, and know it. If you can articulate it thoroughly, understandably, and passionately, guess what? As far as anybody knows, you’re an expert in that! Time and experience strengthen that.
If done properly and with integrity, it can be powerful, but in general so called “experts” are also overrated. In his book “Expert Political Judgment—How Good is It?” Philip Tetlock collected over 80,000 forecasts over a 20-year study of almost 300 political experts whom he asked a range of questions: would there be a non-violent end to apartheid in South Africa? Would the U.S. go to war in the Persian Gulf? The experts were bad at predicting, and specializing in a field did not improve their answers. Journalists and average people did about as well as the experts when it came to predicting the future.
That doesn’t negate the impact of trying to present yourself as an expert. It just means you can be as much of an expert as anybody else. It’s about presenting facts passionately and undeniably. In business, market data or market trends are just as, if not more important than knowledge in a particular area.
Now it’s your turn! How have you been able to present yourself as an expert or authority in your field? What impact did that have on your trajectory? What area could you position yourself as an expert in and what actions would you need to take to get there? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!
UP NEXT: Establish Credibility and Build Confidence | Entrepreneurial Success Tips
Janet Gordon says
In my areas of creating I made things…I wore some of those items out in public and found myself making sales right there…removing..jewelry..hats lol….I got a kick out of it. One older man offered me a job making ties for his store. During this time my daughter was a baby. Timing wasn’t on my side in so many ways nor was support. What I’m trying out now ..well..hands on experience from my childhood. Reinventing the wheel so to speak. But reading your blog made me realize I do need to sit down and get all the highlights …why’s ….and benefits compiled in a neat presentation. Sometimes I feel like a walking commercial ha ha! Thanks again for the learning, namaste!
David Coon says
I am enjoying reading your book Harv Eker. I am an expert in my field and am working that. A Medical Qigong Master. I offer CEU’s for Massage Therapists and Acupuncturists and I also allow lay people to attend our workshops. We have a Certification training program that allows people to become Qigong teachers and also a joint program that allows them to become Certified Medical Qigong Practitioners. Medical Qigong is a form of primary medicine in China. Here it is seen as alternative medicine. It is actually the Father of Acupuncture. It is used in China to help millions of people in Medicine-less hospitals. I am in a major effort to bring this to the United States on a much bigger scale. I have a multi- millionaire mind. P.S. in your book you said as an exercise to write a letter to someone we respected and appreciated. So here we are. I respect and appreciate what you have done and what you are doing. Al the best!
Shawnie Hayward says
Hello! I’m a HUGE T. Harv Eker fan, which led me to this article and comments section. I’m also a massage therapist with a huge interest in Qigong and Reiki energy work! I use Reiki energy daily in my practice, although I have no formal certification in it. When I was fresh out of massage school in 2005, I went to work at a casino spa, which just so happened to be owned & operated by a Reiki master. She came to me after a massage one day and said she was overwhelmed by the flow of Reiki energy she could feel thru the walls as I worked on a client in the room next to her and she began questioning me on the subject. She was extremely encouraging and wanted me to pursue certifications in Reiki. At the time, I was ‘tapped out’ financially due to going through a divorce with 4 children and driving 4 hours a day just to work. My kids r now grown, I own my own spa in a small town, and I’m rentovating my grandparents house. My spa operates on an appointment only bases and ‘word of mouth’ is my only form of advertisement. I’m spa is right next door to the house I’m rentovating….which is very convenient. I’ve reached a point where I’d like to turn this entire property into a ‘mini retreat’ area due to the fact that several of my clients flock to my spa simply to sit quietly on the back steps of my spa to gather themselves and their thoughts when they find themselves overwhelmed with life. I’ve recently become very interested in Qigong along with energy medicine, since I seem to have been given the gifst of touch and Reiki energy knowledge that has always been with me my whole life. I don’t know how to ‘not use it’….it’s part of me! I’ve also mastered the art of giving my energy to others without absorbing their energy, as theirs is usually stressed & negative when they get on my massage table. ANY and ALL information I can gain on Qigong would be greatly appreciated. Please get in touch with me, as I believe our connection would be very beneficial for both of us!
Jessica Foos Jones says
Thanks Harv!!Just what I needed to hear at this very moment! 🙂 You rock! 🙂
Scott says
I am really happy to read this bit of enlightening text. I am stuck in a field I use to pay the bills, eat, etc. But my passion tends to Art. Fine art. I know the subject very well. I am a fine art painter & museum Guild member I love art! I. have taught, I have stood before city Arts Commissions and have no fear of speaking on the topic. I truly love the subject. Yet, stand clueless as to how to market myself what-so-ever. So Frustrating. Such a dinosaur.
Joe says
Other people want to know what you know. Get a booth at Art Shows, create hand outs, talk to people. Maybe apply for a job with the Antique Road Show. Take out an add have people bring pieces to you for appraisal. See where it takes you. I feel like a dinosaur too but I know there’s a niche out there waiting to be discovered. Hope this helps!
Deborah J. Smith says
To me, an expert is a person who gets reliably positive results. I never considered myself to be an expert in my field until I proved to myself that I did get such results. I thought at first what has needed was a Doctorate in a subject to be an expert. But in an unusual turn of events, I replaced a teacher with a Doctorate and was vastly disappointed in the notebook she left to me. That made it seem like a Doctorate was no guarantee.. It took me several experiences as a TEMPORARY WORKER in my field to prove to myself that I did indeed get results that were typically superior to each of the people who I filled in for. I had to see this for myself brfore considering myself an expert.
James Jeremiah says
In my area of business- education, business studies to be exact. I realize that information and the ability to share or give relevant information does the trick. I am also very passionate about my delivery so, I want to horn my skills and talent to reach a lager market. In doing so, more financial compensation will be made available to me as a professional.
Rhonda says
Is it possible to market yourself as an expert in the field of personal transformation.? I know you have – T. Have Ever. I have studied and learned (much of them from your courses) and adapted to my life. I feel as though I am the epitome of personal transformation. Now, as a certified coach, I find myself passionate in helping women (particularly Mompreneurs) identify hidden obstacles that prevent them from living a life they love without the guilt or regret.
Feleonar Cabando says
Very interesting learning and I can apply it but the worse thing is ” I don’t know what my expertise is”.
What should I do to know my expertise? Please help me.
Jesse Eker says
Have you ever had success with anything? Would you say you are above average one thing in particular?
We look at expertise as having to be a master but it doesn’t need to be.
You just need to have more experience then the person you are teaching.
So what results have you got in your life that you would consider a success – start there!
Junet says
Merci Harv,
J’ai adoré lire les secrets d’un esprit millionnaire. Je l’ai lu et relu. Je vais encore et encore le lire. J’ai eu une idée fabuleuse et j’ai donc créé mon propre produit. Je ne suis pas encore actif sur le net mais ça ne saura tarder car j’affine un peu mon produit, je termine mon site internet et dans quelques jours je vais apparaître avec un produit de conditionnement.
Je serai un bon conférencier comme vous.
Merci!
Junet
EMONG Solomon says
I don’t understand. Am sincerely not seeing it practical to me.i think am surely the problem when it comes to money matters .I now know that I have a lot to learn. Thank u Harry
joseph says
thanks Harv, With this info am going to translate myself into an expert in Maize farming. Its the deal.
Khang Ngo says
Thanks a lot for this helpful lession. But i still embarass and un-confident when saying that “i’m an expert”. Could you please give me an advice, Mr T.Harv. Thank you.
Sher Lo says
I’m in the process of creating a website to encourage single moms towards a life of inner peace, purpose, purity and deep sleep.
Oniönhead says
I used this technique to position myself as an expert on surgery, and it totally worked! Everyone wanted to work with me. Only 80 fatal casualties so far!