… then no one really is, right?
One of the reasons it’s difficult to trust sources online is simply because it doesn’t take anything except a little bit of deceit and self-denial for anyone to name themselves as an ‘expert’ in whatever they darn well please (and they can get away with it too)!
Lonely, isn't it?
Your challenge then as a blogger is to overcome this gap and the learned response by readers (and the internet at large) that will naturally make them want to be cautious when engaging with a new property and blog. At times this challenge seems like a hurdle that’s too large to overcome!
Although I haven’t gotten it perfect all the time, there are two things that I’ve tried to do consistently that have done a fair job of bridging the gap between myself and my (future) readers. It is also worth noting that the blogs that I read and the bloggers that I trust seem to hold these two elements in high regard as well!
1. Honesty & Humility
I try to be as honest as possible with what I know and do not know. I also try to stay humble and remember that I too started at square one at one point.
It would seem like an obvious strategy but I often feel at times that the bloggers that I read are embellishing their results or “stretching the truth” a bit to seem more trustworthy or “real”; our job as bloggers is to provide the most authentic and real portrayal of what we know and what we do not know for the sake of our readers!
I also feel that there’s little room for rampant dogmatism as it relates to execution and being able to admit that your perspective is simply that, your perspective, with many others out there, can be a very healthy thing!
2. Admit Limited Expertise
One of the things that makes me chuckle is when I see an “experts” biography or ‘About’ page that says they are experts at 10 different things. You see this a lot with online marketers and the like but they aren’t the only offenders:
I am the CEO of Awesome Business One, Founder of Amazing Business Two, and Executive Creative Director of Fantastic Business Three. I have operated 100 different companies, selling 50 of them and helped 1,000′s of other businesses become just as successful as me. I’m an expert marketer and brand manager as well as creative designer and software developer. I can also bench press 500 pounds, throw a football 110 yards, and speak 7 different languages fluently.
The point I’m trying to make is that it’s extremely hard to be an expert at even one thing, let alone two! And perhaps it’s even more wise nowadays to simply admit that although you’re growing your expertise in specific areas and would not yet consider yourself an “expert” yet!
This ties well with #1 above as well.
Finally, one more suggestion is that you concentrate on creating value for your readers instead of explicitly trying to earn the title of “expert.” The former will grant you authority and respect while the other one will make you look shallow and manipulative.
The online world doesn’t need more “experts”; it needs more people willing to admit that they aren’t!
They’re only hurting themselves with their overcompensation. Instead of informing their visitors of their related qualifications, they’re overcompensating in order to convince themselves they’re in a position to be the expert.
One thing I learned from my experience in Hollywood, coined by talented writer William Goldman, might apply to blogging as well:
“No one knows anything.”
experiences in hollywood? i didn’t know about that…? what were you doing there?
Well said…wise words.
Some days, it sounds like everyone’s an “expert”. It can really make you feel like an under achiever. Finding somebody who’s honest about what they can and can’t do is like a refreshing cool breeze.
that’s a good perspective…! it can be a real downer.
Right on. Expertise is made evident through content produced.
love that
I’m glad you decided to use my bio as an example. Although I actually speak 8 languages fluently.
i was going to cite it… but i thought not.
Nice post. Aren’t the most fascinating folks the ones on a quest to discover something? Their expertise is evident, not only in their obsessive quest, but in their social credibility and, ultimately, cumulative advantage.
keith,
wow, this is really well said. it’s about the journey, right?
“I can also …throw a football 110 yards [while sitting on my rear].”
But that WAS back in ’82 when I could also throw a football over that there mountain too.
Interestingly, most “experts” I’ve read lately actually encourage their readers to refer to themselves as experts. Ann/CC in Content Rules come to mind immediately but others have said it as well.
Humility seems to be a lost character trait even though it is a pre-requisite to true honor.
but why would you call yourself an expert when you’re not?
Well said. When I first started with WordPress, I was learning from various blogs and the community as a whole. It’s easy to spot the “expert charlatans” once you start finding people sharing in depth knowledge without claiming to be experts.
To me, it’s a sign that they are continually learning and will be more apt to stay with current developments. Those are the people I want to take guidance from.
i agree. i like to learn from people who keep learning themselves! they admit that they still haven’t made it!
I appreciate this post. You are spot on! Being open, authentic, HUMAN! I really resonate with the “life long learner” and admitting “limited” expertise, and that my way is not the only way (may not even be the best). Solid post.
thanks byron! i love education.!
Great post John!
I was actually inspired to write a post on my blog in response to the final line of your post,
“The online world doesn’t need more “experts”; it needs more people willing to admit that they aren’t!”
Feel free to check it out here: http://edwardpaz.com/i-am-not-an-expert/
Keep up the great work John! You are teaching me how to be a “tentblogger” and for that I am grateful!
dude, love it!
I think those are really good guidelines to follow, even if your blog is little more than a personal journal. No one likes to read about Little Ms. or Mr. Perfect.
Show your struggles and imperfections and people will actually be able to relate!
love that. i was reading a blog the other day from a very “famous” mommy blogger who has never really admitted a fault… turned off instantly.!
Great perspective John!
sure thing dewitt! it was great to hang with you last morning?
Likewise John. Have you considered Influxis for your live video source files?
i have not. are you talking about these guys? http://www.influxis.com/
Yes.
Very sound advice.
I laugh every time at those self-proclaimed “experts” too. I’m like “really, you just wrote that? Did you say it to yourself in the mirror first?”
I think if you have to claim you’re an expert then you’re not. Like you said above, it’s a title others give you.
By the way, you’re an expert.
hah! there….. i’ve made it.
I agree, though the blogs I tend to visit are backed up by good posts and a portfolio (since I mainly visit developer blogs).
I’m a UI Designer/App Developer and that’s what I’ll use as my specialization. Not marketing, graphic design, or whatever else it is that I don’t enjoy.
awesome! do what you’re great at… not just what you’re good at.