How To Become An Expert
Author: Tom Carpenter

Have you ever noticed that experts make more money than generalists? That's because they specialize and generalists generalize. Or, as Zig Ziglar says, they are a wandering generality.

How did I become an expert in certain areas? How have others always done it? It's really simpler than you may think and I'm going to reveal it to you in this brief article.

There are three easy steps to becoming an expert:

1 - Choose the Expertise
2 - Your Knowledge Should Be 90/99
3 - Tell Them What You Know

Let's look at these three steps individually.

1 - Choose the Expertise

The first step is really the hardest. You wouldn't think so, would you?

The reason this step is the hardest is because it is the step that the other two are built upon. If you ever decide to change your mind about your expertise, it means learning all over again.

So, how do you decide on your expertise? Look at what you love and enjoy.

Do you like fishing? Become an expert at bass fishing in the lakes of somewhere.

Do you like gardening? Become an expert in growing African flowers in American soil.

Do you like politics? Become an expert in inaugural addresses and their impact on the presidential term.

Notice that I took a generality and made it a specific. You should do this too. I am not just an expert in the field of Windows NT, I also specialize in security. You could say that I am an expert in Windows NT security.

2 - Your Knowledge Should Be 90/99

I state this when teaching classes on personal growth and I am often asked what I mean. Well, that's the intention of the statement - to get you to ask.

Here is the answer.

You should know more than 90% of the people about your general area of expertise and more than 99% of the people about your specific area of expertise.

Remember that I am a Windows NT expert specializing in security. I know more than 90% of the people when it comes to Windows NT, but I know more than 99% of the people when it comes to security in Windows NT.

How do you accomplish this level of knowledge? Read, read and then read some more. Go to training classes. Read at least 5 books on the topic. Subscribe to and read 2 or 3 magazines on the topic. Attend 2 training classes per year on the topic.

If you do these things, you will definitely be a 90/99!

3 - Tell Them What You Know

Ok Tom! But what does all of this have to do with Internet marketing? Well, if you own your own business, or want to start your own web site, a lot!

If people look on you as an expert, they will respect your opinion much more. As a matter of fact, if they don't look at you as an expert, they probably won't even listen to what you have to say.

The easiest way to tell your site visitors what you know is to put it in writing. Write tips and articles at your web site. You should also offer these articles to others on the Internet.

Remember the article in the last issue of TM Weapons about syndicating your content? That was an article someone else wrote and I ran it in my eZine because I felt it would be valuable information for my readers.

This happens all the time on the Internet. I have had articles which I have written in front of the eyes of thousands. I simply used this method. Write the article and then submit it for free reuse.

Summary

In order to become an expert you must first determine the area of expertise you desire. Then come up with a specific area of that expertise to become even more knowledgeable in.

Focus on the 90/99 rule. Make sure you know more than 90% of the people in your general expertise and more than 99% of the people in your specific expertise.

Tell people what you know through articles and tips at your web site. Then send these articles and tips out to eZine publishers like myself!

Yes! You can be an expert!

- Tom Carpenter, Editor and Publisher of TM Weapons

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Tom Carpenter is the editor of Reaching Customers, a web site that can be viewed at:

http://www.reachingcustomers.com

He is also the Founder and Head Consultant for SysEdCo. You can view this web site at:

http://www.SysEdCo.com








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Tom Carpenter is the founder and CEO of SysEdCo. SysEdCo offers training and consulting services nationwide to such clients as Toyota, GM and Proctor & Gamble.

http://www.SysEdCo.com

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