The most powerful tip I can give anyone who needs to believe in themselves or someone who needs to be knocked down a peg (been there and done that in both cases) is to understand the difference between the words “expert” and “expertise.” In order to build your confidence in your business become an expert or educate yourself further which will raise your level of expertise.
Are You a Expert?
The word expert is bandied about and utilized far to often and out of context. It makes the person claiming to be an expert look foolish if they do not understand the definition.
Answers.com an expert is “a person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.”
Wikipedia.org describes an expert the same way as answer.com with this added requirement “someone widely recognized as a reliable source of technique or skill.”
Analysis: If you wish to claim to be an expert then you should have a rich portfolio of news articles, blog articles, media interviews, or any guest appearances on substantial programs related to your expertise and niche. Essentially you have to be recognized as an expert by the public at large
Do You Have Expertise?
Expertise is knowledge and skill in a particular subject without being recognized as an expert by the public on a regional or national scale.
This is the right way (in my opinion) to present yourself, and the method I choose, when discussing your knowledge level.
Note: There are differing levels of expertise and almost everyone has expertise in some subject or skill
Final Final
You can actively become more educated by taking classes or seminars in your niche. The work you put in to raise your level of knowledge has 3 big benefits:
1. Confidence-you become more confident as your continuing education makes you “smarter” within your niche
2. Recognition-your clients and peers will recognize your hard work and your higher level of knowledge which could lead to articles or spotlights done on you by outside media sources
3. Credibility-you become more and more credible as a source of information and skill within your niche. Along with credibility comes the added benefit of trust. Clients and peers trust you as a go to source of information
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