Comments on: How to Become a “Relative Expert” (and Why It’s Important for Business)

By: Demo Bailey

Demo Bailey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:03:58 +0000

Thanks again Sean! I would say your definitely an expert on article writing. It seems everyone of your post has fire behind it, the kind that makes you want to quit reading half way through just to get started! Great work with Location 180.

By: Jef Menguin

Jef Menguin — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:24:18 +0000

I agree with you Sean. I think that one has to look credible and trustworthy to be heard. It is not important that you know all the answers. What is important is you know the answer to the problem of your clients.

Jef Menguin

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:04:00 +0000

In reply to Cheryl. Sounds like you've done a fantastic job of narrowing down your niche and target market. That will go a long way as you continue to build your business!

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:03:05 +0000

In reply to Salah Shakir.

I’m not sure I’ll (or most people) will ever reach the level of absolute expert – and I’m ok with that. But for those who are there, I have a tremendous amount of respect.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:01:57 +0000

In reply to Anthony Wakefield.

I’m the same way – and if you can find a way to leverage that, it puts you in a great position because you don’t need to worry about getting bored all the time – which was a struggle for me in the past.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:01:00 +0000

In reply to Primal Toad. Goes back to the point of being an authority > being an expert. Well done!

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:00:17 +0000

In reply to Mike Van Horn. Really good points Mike! I've gotta admit that LinkedIn is one area where I've really slacked. I need to build up my knowledge a bit more and leverage that community.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:58:58 +0000

In reply to Dave. Great distinction about experts and authorities, thanks for bringing it up!

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:58:37 +0000

In reply to Barbara | Creative Culinary.

I really appreciate your insights Barbara. Both as they relate to free work and proclaiming yourself as an expert.

To the former, I agree, too much (or any) free work can be a detriment, especially when you already have an established business. However if your 16 years of experience were only 16 days, you might consider a different approach. I a lot of ways a blog is just a way of doing work for free. The writer is giving out useful information (hopefully), with nothing directly in return.

As to your point about establishing yourself as an expert too early on, it’s a very good one. It was my biggest concern when writing this piece, and I think it’s important people are up front about what they know and what they don’t – or else risk unhappy clients who turn to you for a rescue 🙂

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:30:34 +0000

In reply to sheri.

Thanks for the thoughts, I actually haven’t seen that particular chart, but I am familiar with the concept.

I think there is a big distinction to be made between working for free and offering help. You can offer advice or help for free, and that doesn’t devalue anything. If anything your willingness to help someone out adds more value to your ability and your personal brand.

If I take the time to respond to a few tweets about SEO for instance, that could eventually lead to a request for actual work, which is a different story.

Personally, I think there can be value in doing work for free as well, but that’s just my own opinion and a different discussion altogether 🙂