Be an Instant Guru

Clients often tell me that they want to be seen as experts, but they do not know where to start. How can you get the credibility to become a guru if you are not already considered an expert by clients, media and others? It is easier than you think.

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In this issue:

From the Idea Lady
Be an Instant Guru

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*From the Idea Lady*

How do you measure how things are going in your business? Do you watch a single number (such as revenue) or a combination of numbers (such as number of sales and average amount of each sale)? Or do you go by how things “feel” day to day?

I watch several indicators in different areas of my business to read the direction my business is taking. Sometimes I see a surge in Web traffic and/or sales, and I can pinpoint the exact reason (e.g., I was featured in a magazine, or one of my articles got used on a major Web site). Other times, the reason remains a mystery. However, what I have noticed is that the more I do, and the more places I appear, the greater my results.

There seems to be a cumulative effect to marketing. As I post more articles, get quoted in more places, and do other things to enhance my reputation, each thing adds to what has come before. The effect, therefore, is more than I would get from each of the activities individually. As they say, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

You may think that the one small action you take today will not make a difference in your business. Add it to the actions you have taken in the past, and the things you will do in the future, and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Cathy

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*Be an Instant Guru*

It is easier than you think. Everyone, even the most highly- regarded gurus, started somewhere. Start today and you can be seen as an authority within a few months--or even sooner. First, choose a niche. Do not try to be the leading authority on every subject. select a topic (preferably a somewhat narrow one) and set out to become the guru on that subject.

Establish your credentials. Credentials may include formal training and degrees, work experience, life experience, or anything that helps to back up your claims.

Find ways to demonstrate your expertise. That can mean giving speeches, writing articles, teaching, volunteering, and other activities that allow others to see what you can do.

Associate yourself with well-known and credible persons and institutions. Have you taught a course or seminar for a college? Do you have a respected client, such as a Fortune 500 company? Can you get endorsements or testimonials from accomplished and respected people?

Write and publish a book. You may think that you have to be an expert to write a book, but the truth is that writing a book makes you the expert. Seek a traditional publisher or self-publish. Either way, you are a published author.

Send press releases. Let the media know who you are. Don’t forget to post your releases online, both on your own Web site and through press release services, such as PR Web.

Start a mailing list. Collect e-mail addresses as well as postal addresses and other contact information to keep in touch with the people who are interested in your subject.

Build a Web presence. Of course, you should have a Web site, but make yourself known on other sites through articles, forum postings, blog comments, testimonials, etc.

Want to know more about how to quickly build your reputation as an expert? Check out the new package at http://www.guru-expert.com/ You get six hours of great audio, plus my media list, a consultation and more for one price.


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