8 Ways to Gain Expert Recognition

April 28, 2009

Dare to be Magnificent - 8 Ways to Gain Expert Recognition

No matter what business you are in, it always helps to be seen as an expert. If you were calling someone to fix a drain or sell your house, you would definitely approach the person you believed to be the most credible and reputable in that field. Why? Because to become an expert takes hard work and experience. It involves study and possessing great skills. It demands high standards of work and ethics.

So are YOU seen as an expert in your field? Are you ready to put in the hard work to get there? And even after all this effort, are you sure you will you be perceived as an expert by others? If you feel you’ve earned the mantle of expert but are not recognized as one - or if you are sure you have the right stuff, but don’t know where to begin, here are eight ways to start establishing your reputation.

1. Publish a series of reports or articles or an ebook
The internet has made publishing much easier. You can now create an ebook that can be downloaded without having to involve a publisher; or you can publish hard copies of your books yourself on self-publishing systems, like LULU (http://www.lulu.com/). A faster way to get your name out there is to publish online articles. There are countless ezine owners always looking for good quality articles and reports for their ezines. Publishing these on shared servers, such as http://www.ezinearticles.com/ or http://www.goarticles.com/ is a great venue for any budding expert. A well-written book or series of articles will quickly establish your reputation as a sought-after expert in your field and will go far to increase your searchability as well!

2. Publish a newsletter
It is very easy to set up a monthly or weekly newsletter on the web and distribute it to your customers. This is an excellent way to regularly keep your name in front of your prospects as an authority on your subject. You can get a free trial of newsletter softwares at http://www.icontact.com/ and http://www.constantcontact.com/ - as well as http://www.aweber.com/ and countless others. Try them all! Have fun! But remember, with newsletters, sometimes less is more. Be sure to have valuable, Daring content! Mention The Daring in your own ezine, let us know and we’ll be happy to send you a small gift!

3. Write press releases
Used correctly these can gain you a lot of positive publicity. Make sure the press release looks like newsworthy information and not like an advertisement. There are countless avenues for free press release distribution online, but don’t forget the value of good old print media! Choose three or four publications and find out their editor - after sending a few PR’s, don’t be surprised if you strike up unexpected relationships with the editorial staff of your favorite newspapers and magazines.

4. Create a website
No one in today’s world should be without a website. You can set up a user-friendly site that will appeal to customers and expand the reach of both your reputation and your services. Keep it timely and informative and people will continue to return to your site - you can also increase traffic by writing a cost-free blog on http://www.blogger.com/. Remember to mention your site in your email signature AND all of your online publications and articles as well. If you don’t know how to set up a website, there are plenty of web designers who do. You can find some inexpensive female entrepreneurs who do this for a living at http://www.ivaa.org/. Alternatively, enquire at a college that teaches web design. Some students there might want to build a portfolio.

5. Join associations
If you are a member of an association it will enhance your credibility. But don’t just be a member; be an active member. This will build your reputation among your peers and lead to useful introductions. Membership can have many benefits, and it will certainly keep you up to date in your field. Remember, introducing yourself to the membership is VITAL. Don’t miss that rare opportunity as a newbie to shake a few hands and say hello to all involved.

6. Networking

You can boost your reputation and influence by speaking to the right people. This can be done in person, in your community, or “virtually” anywhere. Online social networks are everywhere. Use these to keep your name in front of your prospects. You can also organize mutually beneficial ventures. You cannot predict what may come from a contact so make as many as you can.

7. Public Speaking
Even speaking to a local group of people can establish you as an expert in your field and get you referrals that will lead to a wider audience. If you’re not sure you can speak in public, preparation and rehearsal are the keys to success. You can also attend a few meetings at your neighborhood Toastmasters association (see http://www.toastmasters.com/ for local schedules and contacts). This organization exists for the sole purpose of teaching and inspiring public speaking in ALL people, no matter what your skill level is. Finally, wherever you make your speeches, be sure that your presentation is aimed at the right level, follows a sensible sequence and will not sound like a dry monologue. Write your main points on small cards so you are not relying solely on your memory and start in front of a small audience.

8. Teach workshops or seminars
Last but not least, if you have knowledge that people would like to tap into, you can pass on your expertise to peers, not just clients. If your presentation is well planned, you will be seen as an authority in your subject. You will also meet people who are likely to recommend you to others. If you are teaching a hot topic you will also be gaining a useful income stream.

Any of these methods will start building your reputation as an expert. Use them all correctly, and you will gain the sort of reputation that will have potential clients approaching you without having to seek them out.

Dare to Promote Yourself - Promoting Yourself is a State of Mind!

Posted by Francine | Filed Under Blog, Featured Article | 1 Comment

DARE to TAKE RISKS

April 19, 2009

Feature Article - Dare to Take Risks

Taking Smart Risks, even small ones, can lead to surprisingly big results.

Do you get up every morning excited because you’re riding the wave of your dream? Is your life a kaleidoscope or have you been living in black and white? Have you been holding back or settling for just a little less (or far less) than you deserve… a little less money, fun, freedom and laughter? Is your true life waiting for you to show up so that it can begin? Don’t let it be You!

Why Take Chances?

Self-confidence and resilience are the invisible rewards of being willing to step out of our comfort zone.

Women are less likely than man to take some risks. While playing it safe can be a good thing sometimes, like not driving too fast, taking some risks - particularly those scary emotional ones can be a critical factor in living a happy, fulfilled life. DARE yourself, and you could start the business you’ve been dreaming about, get the degree you’ve always wanted, learn to become an eloquent public speaker without fear, or enhance your social life by meeting new friends.

What Daring Women have come to know for sure is that life begins at the end of their comfort zone and that there is no reward and pleasure in playing safe and small.

Getting Over Your Fears

The first thing is to realize that everyone has fears.

The second thing is to change your perspective and realize that playing it safe is also a risk (and it might turn out to be your biggest gamble of all). Not taking any chances is as much a decision as taking that first step toward a change.

Once you are willing to confront your fears and manage your emotions, you can begin to embrace the change as a chance to move forward, to grow and learn, to achieve a goal or a dream. From that place, you will start making choices based on your desires and wants, not based on your fears, limited beliefs about yourself and others and you feel uplifted and empowered as a result.

Dare to break free from old patterns, limiting beliefs, habits and bad experiences. Create new ways, form new empowering habits and a new paradigm for your life. Just get started! Begin seeing yourself as a born risk-taker and start telling yourself you are one. Scary sometimes, yes, but much more empowering than scary.

How Do I Dare to Take RISKS?

When a situation arises, or when you are plagued with fear, ask yourself, what would a bold, daring and confident woman do in this case? How would she handle this situation? Would she be paralyzed by fears or would she let herself soar in her vision and start moving in the direction of her dream?
Remember to boldly take action daily on what matters most to you. I wonder how much time is spent daily on stuff that doesn’t make a difference. What if you made a commitment to yourself right now to spend time daily taking action and becoming 100% absorbed in activities that make a positive impact on others, your business, and your life?
Dream Big. If your dream is big enough and you want it badly enough, the problems don’t really matter, they are simply inconveniences. When you know exactly what you are shooting for, you will turn any setback into comeback and you will overcome any obstacles or challenges you’ll encounter along the way. Remember that it takes the same amount of time and energy to dream small than it does to dream big. Don’t settle for small dream. Dream Big and be Bold!
If life is a game then play the life game to win. Is your primary concern one of survival and security instead of focusing on creating and attracting wealth and abundance in your life? Remember how you do one thing is how you do everything! The secret to success is not to try to avoid, get rid of or shrink from your problems; the secret is to grow yourself so that you are bigger than any problem, obstacle or challenge.

DARE YOURSELF YOUR LIFE IS WORTH IT!

Posted by Francine | Filed Under Blog, Featured Article | Leave a Comment

DARE to Take Risks - Don’t Let Your Fears Hold You Back!

April 17, 2009

Taking Smart Risks, even small ones, can lead to surprisingly big results.

Excerpt from the 3rd Daring Principle: DARE to BREAK FREE

What Daring Women have come to know for sure is that life begins at the end of their comfort zone and that there is no reward and pleasure in playing safe and small.

Once you are willing to confront your fears and manage your emotions, then you begin making choices based on your desires and wants, not based on your limited beliefs about yourself and others and you feel uplifted and empowered as a result.

Dare to break free from old patterns, limiting beliefs, habits and bad experiences. Create new ways, form new empowering habits and a new paradigm for your life. Just get started!

How do I DARE to BREAK FREE?

Give up on your need to be perfect or to do things perfectly - think about it, what has this cost you so far?
Take your work seriously, but do not take yourself too seriously.
Live by your rules, sing your own song. Whose life is it anyway?

For more guided exercises on how to
DARE to BREAK FREE and for a copy of The 7 Principles of Successful Daring Women, claim your FREE Success Kit at http://www.thedaring.com

DARE YOURSELF, YOUR Life is Worth it!

Posted by Francine | Filed Under Blog, Dare to Break Free Principle | Leave a Comment

DAILY DARE: DARE to Love Thyself Unconditionally

April 11, 2009

DARING PRINCIPLE #1

DARE TO LOVE THYSELF

“We act, behave and feel according to what we consider our self-image to be and we do not deviate from that pattern.“ Dr. Maxwell Mattz

Daring Principle#1 is about Heightened Confidence, Positive Self-Talk, Practicing Acceptance and Self-Care.

It starts right there, the expression of how we love ourselves is the same expression of how we love others. It is a critical place to start. Because if we do not love ourselves we cannot really love anyone else!

How many women do you know who genuinely and authentically love themselves? Are you one of them? Are you Daring enough to fall madly in love with yourself, with genuine pride not ego? If not, think about what your life would be like if you did!

My daring words of wisdom:

The key is that we believe that we are lovable and capable no matter what and we have an acceptance of who we truly are, defined by us, not by others.

Posted by Francine | Filed Under Blog, Daily Dare, Dare to Love Thyself Principle | Leave a Comment

DARE to Network Purposefully & Effectively!

April 11, 2009

Effective networking makes the world go round so it is a vital skill for expanding your business or career and for enriching your life by building strong relationships. In today’s world building a strong network will prove to be one of your greatest assets. But it is also an investment of time and energy and for some people this is a nightmare as they have to conquer their social fears and the desire to melt into the crowd until it’s time to leave.

Here are some simple tools and tips I personally use to make my networking more effective, get better results and create a much richer outcome. They basically involve taking initiative and refining your conversation skills.

Be Prepared. With a bit of light research before the event you can find out who will be there and what the occasion is. For a business event, you can brief yourself on the topic, familiarize yourself with the speaker and at least be able to hold a conversation.
Be Positively Charged. Arrive at the function with a positive attitude and look like you are glad to be there. The host will appreciate someone who is not hanging around waiting to be entertained or introduced to someone. Help liven up the event with genuine warmth and enthusiasm and you will find yourself being invited to more events.
Set Goals. If the thought of going to a social event where you might not know anyone leaves you in a cold sweat then setting a few goals can ease your anxiety. Decide on a minimum time that you can bare to stay for - like a hour. Then decide that you will not leave before making at least one new quality contact. The key here is quality to quantity. You can amend the goals as you gather more confidence.
Know Your Lines. Have a few opening lines prepared to help initiate conversations with strangers. Ask them how they know the host or if they’ve been to the venue before. This will usually lead the conversation to what you both do and why you were invited.
Improve Your Listening Skills. Ask questions and show genuine interest in those around you, especially if you are at a seated event that includes a formal meal. Learn to ask questions with sincerity and interest and then keep quiet and listen to the other person’s reply.
Take A Risk. Most people are quite relieved to have someone approach them first, so do not miss out on meeting someone interesting just because they look a bit cold and disinterested. They are probably nervous and if you approach them with warmth and interest, they could turn into quite good company.
Leave Gracefully. Always thank the host or organizer of the event before leaving and say farewell to guests you have spoken to.
Promises Kept. Your integrity and reliability are resting on this. If you told someone that you will fax them, e-mail them, phone them or contact them after the event, then do so as soon as you can.
Stay In Touch. Once you’ve made contact with someone stay in touch with them. People like to know that they are thought of and important enough to be contacted even if you do not need them for anything.. in fact, especially if you do not need them for anything.
Think Beyond The Box. We tend to get a bit narrow-minded about where we should be networking but airplane trips, waiting in line, public events, weddings and any other place where people gather can present easy networking opportunities.

Networking skills take time to perfect and even the best professional networkers can still make blunders. Learning new tools and practicing your skills will certainly make networking easier with time and probably a lot more fun too. Dare to go out there and practice! Happy and Productive Networking!

Posted by Francine | Filed Under Blog, Dare to Soar in Business | Leave a Comment

DARE to Worry Less so You Can Attract Abundance

April 10, 2009

Although worrying seems to be part of our every-day human experiences, it’s certainly one of the worst parts. To begin with most of the things we worry about never actually come to pass - we simply distract ourselves from whatever good things are around us in the moment at hand. And frighteningly, the law of attraction says that what we focus on will naturally expand.

So how do we attract abundance? Quite simply, it means we must all of our strength to consciously set aside worry and instead, focus on our dreams and our goals. We must intentionally see the joy around us and grab every wonderful opportunity each day. Although it may not prevent bad things from happening, you will definitely have a more wonderful experience in between them.

Dare to stop all negative thoughts for one day!

Have a DARING Day!

Posted by Francine | Filed Under Blog, Dare to Break Free Principle | Leave a Comment