How to Become an Expert in Your Field

“How do I become an expert in my field?” I get this question a lot from coaches, consultants and experts who want to create and launch a profitable online course, coaching program or online product. There are two simple things you can easily do to become an expert in your field: be a source of information and share abundantly.

1. How to Become an Expert in Your Field: Read

Self-development expert Brian Tracy tells us that, “If you read only one book per month, that will put you into the top 1 percent of income earners in our society.” Now, imagine if you read one book a week what will happen.

If you read one hour a day in your chosen field that translates into 1 book a week. One book per week translates into roughly 50 books a year. Do that for 5 years and you have read 250 books in your field. You will quickly become an expert in your field.

I have read at least one book a week for close to 20 years in the fields that interest me: marketing, sales, human performance, the brain and how we learn. (Confession: I have a strange obsession with detoxing and nutrition.) Thousand+ books are everywhere in my office and home.

There is so much great information out there and the people who do the work of sifting through it will be seen as the experts. Be the expert who brings information together, makes it simple to grasp and you will be in the top 1% of experts in your field. Dedicate 30 minutes a day to reading and you will have more information to offer than 99% of the experts out there. Imagine the depth you can bring to coaching the people who experience the online courses and programs you create and launch.

What’s the biggest question your ideal clients are searching to answer? Get online and search for books that relate to answering that question. Be the source of information for your audience.

2. How to Become an Expert in Your Field: Share
There has never been a better time to share your expertise. Online discussion forums, DIY marketing tools and paid social media ads make it incredibly easy to find and serve your ideal clients. Here’s the thing: you have to show up and give before you show up and ask.

Build trust in your expertise by sharing what you know. As you create and launch an online course, get focused on contributing content in that channel. The key is to focus on answering the questions your ideal clients are asking. Dedicate 15 minutes a day to commenting in online discussion groups, creating tools that solve problems and sharing what you know.

In 60 minutes a day, you can quickly become recognized as a rock star in your field.

How to become an expert in our field? Take Action:
1. Make a list of the types of questions your clients are looking to answer. Think about the questions that make them search for support (like tools, online courses or coaching).
2. Search for books related to these topics. Buy one and read it. Repeat.
3. Find and join online discussion groups related to your area of expertise. Tip: Type in your area of expertise plus “online discussion forum” into search engines and see the top online discussion forums in your field. Contribute as an expert in your field.

Want a list of the business books I think every “expertpreneur” should have on their shelf (and, actually read)? Here they are.