by Sharon Michaels (Read about her here.)

(Listen to it here.)

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The key to success in this digital age is to be the “go to” expert in your field. A strong and powerful web presence is a business-building necessity. You don’t have to spend a fortune to develop the web presence of an expert. However, you do have to commit time and energy to honing your expertise and sharing your knowledge with others.

Here are five steps to being seen as an expert in your field:

1. Learn and stay current in your craft. In my opinion, self-education is a major key to success. Learning new skills, staying current in your field and fine-tuning your current skills are essential activities if you are to cultivate the self-confidence necessary to remain an expert in your field. Believing in yourself and your expertise is as important as the expertise itself. With belief comes the self-confidence to share your skills with others.

2. Write well-thought-out articles in your area of expertise. This is the digital age. From the Amazon.com Kindle reader, to e-books formatted in PDF, to streaming video and Internet radio podcasts on iTunes – you can get your message out to your target market quickly and, often, at no cost. The key is writing for exposure. If no one knows about you, you are an expert only in your own mind.

Find websites that cater to your target market and begin writing articles. You can also write for article directories, which attract thousands of newsletter publishers who are looking for material of interest to their readers. One such directory is EzineArticles.com.

3. Develop the “go to” blog or website in your specialty. In this day and age, having a blog and website is a must if you intend to share your expertise with readers worldwide. Become the “go to” authority for your target market. Share tips, success strategies and how-to’s that your audience can put to immediate use. A well-written blog or website will help develop loyal readership, and loyal readership produces loyal customers.

4. Become a guest on forums, radio shows and podcasts that reach your target market. Audio is a perfect format for sharing your expertise. It can help your target market get to know you, like you and trust you. It’s not that difficult to prepare podcasts or become a guest on an Internet radio show. The key is to have a clear idea of what you want to say and then say it with confidence and expertise.

5. Consistently share your expertise with others. Don’t keep your expertise to yourself. Let others know that you are willing to share your knowledge. Develop a workable plan of action to market your expertise. Ask to speak at networking functions, email talk-show hosts and let them know you are available as a guest, and contact blog owners and suggest that you become a guest author. It’s up to you to market and share your expertise. You are limited only by your own imagination.

These steps will help you start building a reputation as an expert in your field. If you are serious about reaching your target market and developing a positive reputation, start now to seek out opportunities that will showcase your expertise.

fix Listen to today’s podcast here.

Be sure to visit our site, WomensMedia to get Expert Advice for Business Women.

On our website, WomensMedia you should read these excellent articles:

Understanding Moneymaking Activities: 5 Tips for Business Owners

Ten Success Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs

7 Steps to the Best Leadership Style

For quick updates for Business Women you should follow NancyFClark on twitter here, or SharonMichaels here.

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