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Business Lessons Learned From The Mall
Ever have a garbage truck moment? That's when the stress of running your business gets so high you long for the apparent simplicity of driving a garbage truck.
Normally in this column I dispense highly-intelligent small business advice in...
CREDIT CARD BLUES
For the average American family, debt, and especially credit card debt is spiraling out of control at a record pace. The average household credit card debt has risen dramatically from $3000 in 1990 to over $8000 today. Personal bankruptcies are also...
Getting a great value deal on loans
Over recent years, the availability and accessibility of loans has become far easier for the average UK consumer. In the past, getting loans entailed going to the bank manager, cap in hand, and practically grovelling. However, you can now get your...
The Cat in the Hat Will Help You Get Your Point
Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat" Will Help You Get Your Point Across! (Yes you can, here is the Plan) Copyright © 2004 Ed Sykes. All rights reserved
I was recently coaching an engineer who wanted to improve his speaking skills. After...
The Power Of Words: Market Yourself By Adopting A Whole New Language
I think we all agree that gone are the days when we would mass e- or snail-mail tens or even hundreds of resumes just for the sake of telling ourselves that we’ve done all we could to find the right job.
Assuming that it’s fair to say that the...
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How to Position Yourself as an Expert
Whatever kind of freelance or consulting work you do, one of the best ways to attract top clients is to position yourself clearly as an expert in your field.
And yes, you first have to be an expert. You don't have to be the world's leading expert, but you do need to know what you're talking about, and in real depth.
To become a credible expert it first helps if you choose your niche carefully.
If your niche is too broad - like 'all consumer electronics' - you'll find it hard to position yourself as a true expert.
If your niche is too narrow - like 'Sony PlayStation' - you'll find it hard to make a living.
Niches like 'computer games' or 'home entertainment' are perfect. It won't take you a lifetime to become an expert in either field, and there are plenty of prospective clients to choose from.
Of course, it will help enormously if you choose a niche in an area that genuinely interests you.
>> Got expertise? Here's the next step...
One of the fastest ways to get the word out is to get your name in print. In other words, write articles.
It's the strangest thing...but as soon as someone sees your name in print, your 'expert' status automatically jumps up several notches.
Publish your articles on your own web site. And make it known that other site editors can reprint your articles on their own sites and in their newsletters. Get the word out through a blog and by participating in discussion groups.
And, of course, every article should include a short bio and link back to your own site.
>> What's better than having your articles online?
The next step is to get your articles printed in real print publications, on paper. Again, strangely, an article on paper earns you more expert points than an article on the web.
Best of all, if your niche is, for instance, home renovation products and services, get an article printed in one of the trade magazines that serves that industry.
Now you're getting in front of hundreds or even thousands of prospective clients. It's not an ad. It's better than an ad. You're presenting
yourself as a true expert, with the implicit endorsement of the editor of the publication.
>> Accept those invitations to speak
Once your name has appeared as the author of a sufficient number of useful, expert articles, you'll start getting invitations to speak. If they don't come your way, start looking for them.
You can start out small, speaking to local business groups and marketing associations. If all goes well, you'll soon find yourself with opportunities to speak to much larger groups at industry conferences.
And yes, being a speaker earns you major expert points.
>> Time to write a book?
Nothing brings you expert status faster than being the author of a book. Do you know enough on your subject to write a book? It may take a little time before you're ready. But the more articles you write and the more times you speak, the deeper your knowledge will grow.
In addition, articles and speaking engagements generate feedback from your readers and listeners. And the more feedback you get, the better you will know what it is people really want and need to know.
If you can get published and distributed by a major publishing house, so much the better. If not, self-publish. You'll need to do a lot of promoting to get the sales, but you can earn more money from each book sold and still confirm your status as an expert in your field.
>> Concluding thoughts
After a while you'll find yourself writing articles, speaking at public and corporate events and signing copies of your book or books at every opportunity.
At that point you will have truly earned your stripes as an expert and will find yourself with a very impressive list of clients and prospects.
Start writing!
About the Author
Nick Usborne is a copywriter, author and speaker. You can access all his newsletter articles on writing for the web at his www.ExcessVoice.com site. You'll find more articles and resources on how to make money as a freelance writer at www.FreelanceWritingSuccess.com
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How To Conquer Public Speaking Fear |
A report that covers the common causes of public speaking fear and tips to overcome it. Book available. |
www.stresscure.com |
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Allyn and Bacon Public Speaking Website |
A five-step guide to preparing and delivering effective speeches. |
wps.ablongman.com |
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Public Speaking & Speech Writing |
A free guide to speech writing and delivery for every occasion. From best man speeches to eulogies. |
www.speechtips.com |
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Presentation Tips for Public Speaking |
Art of Public Speaking. Hints and tips on public speaking, ... On the Job: Public Speaking Tips - Twelve Steps to Great Presentations by Elise Bauer. ... |
www.aresearchguide.com |
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10 Tips for Successful Public Speaking - Toastmasters International |
10 Tips For Successful Public Speaking. Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. ... |
www.toastmasters.org |
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Welcome to Toastmasters International where we are"Making ... |
Non-profit organization developing public speaking and leadership skills through practice and feedback in local clubs since 1924. Members learn how to lead ... |
www.toastmasters.org |
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Strategies to Succeed in Public Speaking - School for Champions |
Contents of online lessons to succeed in public speaking from the School for Champions. |
www.school-for-champions.com |
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Public Speaking Home Page |
Humor and quotes to help your speech - or just for your own enjoyment. History / Careers The history of public speaking and potential career options for you ... |
www.mhhe.com |
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Public speaking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Public speaking is speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to ... Public speaking is almost as ancient as speech itself. ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN COUNSELING AND CAREER SERVICES |
Public speaking anxiety is very common among both college students and the general ... The most common form of Social Phobia is public speaking anxiety. ... |
www.utm.edu |
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Painless Public Speaking |
At Painless Public Speaking we keep you up to date with what's new in the world of ... Painless Public Speaking is not about the theory but the "how-to" ... |
www.publicspeaking.com.au |
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Public Speaking from Uncommon Knowledge |
Public speaking couldn’t be further from your mind and your manager tells you have to do a presentation to fifty colleagues next week. What’s your response? ... |
www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk |
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Public Speaking Tips by Uncommon Knowledge |
It’s possible for public speaking to be fun and hugely satisfying. Once you’ve enjoyed a presentation, or even part of it, your self confidence will get a ... |
www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk |
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Public Speaking Skills from Mind Tools - Speaking Tips & Techniques |
Learn to speak and present clearly and effectively. Improve your speaking skills with this Mind Tools guide to speaking effectively in public. |
www.mindtools.com |
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Public Speaking Information |
Advanced Public Speaking Institute- -More than 120 mini articles on professional level ... Click here for additional articles on Public Speaking Information ... |
www.selfgrowth.com |
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Basic Public Speaking, 2nd Edition - The Teachers and Students ... |
New public speaking text for middle and high school Language Arts, ESL teachers and students. Written by a trained counselor and experienced teacher. |
www.capital.net |
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public speaking tips - presentation skills tips, public speaking tips |
presentation skills & public speaking monthly tips by Lenny Laskowski, Professional Speaker. |
www.ljlseminars.com |
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Public Speaking - The Art of Speech Making |
Public Speaking - Hints and tips on Public Speaking Skills, dealing with public speaking nerves and anxiety, public speaking skills and public speaking ... |
www.impactfactory.com |
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Advanced Public Speaking Institute |
Public speaking articles, seminars, and educational materials. |
www.public-speaking.org |
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Public Speaking Training-Presentation Skills & Public Speaking courses |
Public speaking training - Overcome your fear of public speaking with our presentation skills classes. We offer presentation skills training seminars, ... |
www.publicspeakingskills.com |
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