Advertising
“But I’m Not An Expert At Anything!”
I’ve noticed over the years that many, many would-be marketers hesitate and often turn away from this business of Internet marketing because they think they have to be an expert or an authority in some chosen subject in order to be “qualified” to write an article, create a product, start a membership site, or even post a thread in a forum.
Don’t believe it!
Usually becoming successful in online business requires that you “put yourself out there.” Often you will have to leave your comfort zone and try new things that are often scary, stressful, and unsettling. But you will have time to become an authority if you stick with it.
I have found that income just doesn’t fall in your lap . . . you have to go after it, ask for it, and claim it!
Some are experts and certainly they do have an advantage in the markets they know – more power to them – that’s one of the reasons I always suggest to new marketers that they inventory their knowledge, education, experience, and training to see if they have “a leg up” or a headstart in a niche because they are already familiar with it.
But being an expert is not a prerequisite to profitability!
Develop a plan, set up a simple business, work it hard, and learn as you go. Even if you have nothing but a desire to become an expert in a niche, you can still find ways to serve your audience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best (I’m sure he wasn’t referring to online business):
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do has increased.”
Someone suggested the Internet is too rampant with folks “faking it” and claiming to be an expert when they’re not. Of course, he’s talking about the “fake it ’til you make it” adage that is tossed around marketing circles.
I believe there are ways to provide quality products and content without being dishonest and “faking it.”
One thing I’ve done, quite successfully, is to license books, courses, and other content that I didn’t write and sell those. I’ve never claimed to be an expert when I wasn’t – that would be lying and lying is never a good thing as far as I’m concerned. For licensed content I have always credited the experts that produced them and they still sell well because you audience appreciates honesty.
You can also create products using public domain content. You’d be surprised at what you can find and it doesn’t have to be vintage or outdated. The U.S. governments produces a lot of public domain reports and papers that are very current.
Another strategy is to interview experts and compile what you find. It is their knowledge and sharing that makes the content of “expert status” that you are providing to your followers. You don’t have to claim authorship since your role is that of editor or compiler.
If you get a little creative, you can provide top quality content without having to claim you’re an expert and your audience will still want what you have to sell if it is the solution to a want or a desire they have.
I would never advocate you lie about or fake what you claim for yourself or what you sell.
You just have to think outside the box a little.
To your online business success,
Steve Browne
www.SteveBrowneDirect.com