Are You Reluctant to Declare Yourself an Expert?
ByHow is your new year going so far? I’m getting back into the full swing of networking and events after some time off at the end of December.
You’ve heard me say that in order to grow your business and income to the next level and simplify your marketing, you really need an expertise or a specialty.
Many of the women I work with are very hesitant to say they are an expert at anything. I think it’s in our conditioning to not stand out and make a name for ourselves or to blow our own horn. As women, we try to blend in and be the same as everyone else. But, that strategy will never work to get ahead in business!
Are you one of the many talented women who has so much wisdom and experience to offer, yet lacks the clarity or the inclination to declare expert status? Or, do you have so many interests and abilities that you struggle to simplify your offer and stand out for your specialty?
If so, here’s a simple exercise to narrow down what you’re good at and position yourself to become well known for your expertise.
Write your answers to the following three statements:
- Something I’m really passionate about and very interested in that I like to read and talk about a lot is . . .
- If I was asked to speak to a group next week for an hour, the subject I know so well that I could speak about easily with little preparation is . . .
- My favorite issues, situations or challenges I like to work on with my clients are . . .
Your answers will give you an indication of your passion, talents and expertise and the specific and unique way you like to help your clients.
Being an expert doesn’t mean you need to have degrees and certifications. That’s the old-style of expert. It just means that you really know your subject and care deeply about sharing what you know with other people to improve their lives.
Make the commitment to start reading, writing, and speaking more about what you know and love and you can develop authority status easily in less than a year. This will boost your confidence and will give people a way to get to know you and decide to work with you without you having to work so hard to attract more clients.
Just share your passion and wisdom everywhere you go and people will be attracted naturally to you and your message.
I invite you to share your comments and thoughts below.
Wishing you much success and joy in 2011!
Jan
You'll also receive Jan's tips and recommendations to:
Jan Marie Dore is passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs to get their message out to wider audiences and reach new levels of success, fulfillment and profits in their business. Her clients are women around the world who have a talent, passion, service or expertise they want to share to make a difference in people’s lives. 
Jan Marie,
I have been doing just what you suggest for the past year and am in the process of developing my products for women who want to start their own business. Your site has been very helpful to me. Thank you.
Lana Hingle
women who want to start their own business
Hi Lana,
That’s great that you’re developing products for women in business. I’m glad my site has been helpful!
You hit the nail on the head! So many of us Coaches offer such value to our clients in so many different and diverse ways it is sometimes difficult to choose just one area. I am going to try answer your questions today & look forward to the results I am sure I will get!
That’s great Adele that you’ll try this exercise. Let me know how you do with narrowing your specialty. I’m here to help!
Hi Jan Marie,
We had a lot of postive feedback on your post
on our blog. Look forward to many more!
Jan, as a result of listening to your webinar on developing your Signature products and participating in your Online Profits virtual program, I have been building my reputation around my expertise. I am so glad that I signed up for that first teleseminar – I cannot begin to tell you how much your coaching has helped me change my business model. I have finally recognized my value and level of expertise. It was a process and each step along the way; you provided excellent counsel and strategies to peel away another layer. These are great questions and my answers reinforce what I have discovered.
I really enjoyed interacting with you Christine in my program. You have so much talent and wisdom – I know you’ll go far!