Unique Support Materials Help Establish You As An Expert

What makes you an Expert?  It’s your knowledge, experience and your ability to help people solve their problems in practical and effective ways.

As part of your profile, we have given you the ability to upload various support materials which may help in your Expert services.  Your support material can be a checklist, a fact sheet, a worksheet, or information on how you provide expert services online. You can use these materials to engage new clients, or as a way to supplement your work.  You can add support materials to your Expert Profile at any time.
Here are some things worth keeping in mind:

• Do not use material that has been copyrighted by someone else without their permission.  If you receive their permission, make sure they know how and where you will be using it.
• If you are uploading original material, then you should make sure you copyright it yourself. Usually people just put the word “copyright” (or the copyright symbol), along with the year the form was written, and their name. If you like, you can register your copyright at the U.S. Copyright Office   Usually people don’t go through this much trouble for simple forms, but that is entirely up to you.  You should certainly visit this site to be aware of copyright laws.
• Upload forms as PDF files.  This will prevent people from changing what you wrote. You can save a file as a PDF form through more current versions of MS Word, or similar word processing and graphic programs.
• Limit your forms to 10 MB each.  You can see the size of the file by right clicking on the icon and opening Properties.

Subscribe to this blog to learn new ideas about how to market yourself as an Expert.  Next week:  “How to Write and Publish Your Self-Help Book.” 

Describing Yourself to Your Clients

If you are helping clients online--whether you are a counselor, coach, or consultant--you will need to describe your services in a way that engages prospective clients and makes them want to connect with you. This type of writing can be difficult for many people, and yet every copywriter will tell you that every word counts when it comes to selling products or services on the Internet.

If you are using our Talk To An Expert, Inc. software, we suggest you describe your services in 100 to 150 words, being very specific about what you can do for a client, and how much time you recommend for your consultation.  Remember that clients typically will find you on the Internet because they have a problem to solve, and it is up to you to convince them that you are the right person for them.

Here are some suggestions that can help you write about your services so that clients will instantly understande who you are and what you do:

• Write from a personal perspective and avoid professional jargon.
• Give examples of the type of problems you have helped to solve in the past.
• Tell prospective clients how long they should allow for a session, and what kind of outcomes they can expect.
• Be positive and upbeat, but be realistic.  If possible, describe possible solutions in objective and observable terms.
• Be sure to remind clients that the first email is free!

Here's an example of what an expert helping children with social problems recently wrote:

"If your child is having a difficult time in school, I can help. Over the last 15 years, I have helped hundreds of chidlren do better in school, to the great relief of their parents. There are lots of reasons why children don't like school.  Sometimes they are being teased, sometimes there is a problem with a teacher, and sometimes you have to be a detective to really find out what is going on in your child's mind.  Whatever the problem may be, you can learn new ways to help your child which will make his or her school day much more pleasant and productive.  Initial sessions are usually 50 minutes, but follow up or emergency sessions may be 15 to 20 minutes.  I am also available to answer your questions by email (note: your first email is always free)." 

You can also draw attention to the support material you have uploaded or books you have recommended on your Profile.This can certainly add to your credibility, and facilitate your effectiveness with your clients.

If you are having trouble writing a description of your services, please let us know. Just email us at info@talktoanexpertinc.com. 

Therapists May Want To Consider Being Coaches

 According to a New York Times article from last Sunday, therapists are having a much tougher time making a living than ever before. Becoming a life coach may be the solution to make a living helping others.

In an article titled “What Is Your Brand,” psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb discusses how therapists with waning practices are redefining themselves to appeal to a new client base.   This re-branding can lead to a new approach in helping others. Rather than focusing on general life issues, one should begin focusing on specific problems.

Many therapists are finding that coaching is a good way to supplement their psychotherapy practice and even supplant it.   The most successful coaches develop a brand that addresses a particular market niche’, such as divorce coaching, dealing with the loss of  a loved one, or working with parents of children with ADHD.

Coaching also lends itself to interacting with people online, and we have designed our Talk To An Expert Inc. software with this in mind.  Online coaching gives you the flexibility to work with clients at home or in the office. This software delivers your practice to the entire country and potentially the entire world! 

Start With A Good Photo for Your Expert Profile

Humans respond emotionally to visual images, particularly the faces of others.  That’s why it is so important for Experts to have a good photograph.  We strongly suggest that you have a professional take your photograph, and that it be a head and shoulders shot. Your dress should be professional as if you were going to an office. 

As an Expert, you want to have a trustworthy yet friendly expression.  Did you know that there are at least 12 different kinds of smiles?  It’s easy for anyone to recognize a forced smile, a wary smile, or even an angry smile.  We unconsciously recognize the sincerity of a smile in others, and similarly others can recognize sincerity in our smile.  

It’s not easy for most of us to take a picture with a relaxed and natural smile, but a professional photographer can help you achieve this. Normally a photographer will snap dozens of pictures, and then you can choose the one you like best.  If you’re not sure which one is best, ask a friend or colleague, making sure to tell him or her what the photo is being used for.  Having a good photograph is not about winning a beauty contest, but rather it is about portraying yourself as someone who is a trusted individual; knowledgeable, sincere, and, how else can I say it, an Expert.

Once you are satisfied with the photo for your Expert Profile, make sure to adjust the image to 160 x 160 pixels for best results.  Remember that even if you have already registered to be an Expert, you can upload a new photo at any time.

Let us know if you have a question about creating your Expert Profile. Your profile is your “storefront” so to speak, so make it place that people will want to visit.   

What Is A Widget?

A Widget is a small application (app) that can be used on a web page or blog that performs a specific function. For example, if you have ever copied a Youtube video to your blog or Facebook page, you have used a Widget. As you know, it is as simple as copying the code and then pasting it where you want it. The Widget does the rest. In the case of Youtube, the Widget puts a mini video player wherever you place the code, as well as the information for the specific video you want others to see.

 In the case of the Talk To An Expert, Inc., our Widget connects Experts to their Profile page, where potential clients or customers can consult with them using email, chat, video chat, or the phone. Our Widget shows the photo and title of the Expert, and also shows the communication Widgets they have chosen. See the right hand column of this blog to see my Widget.

 There are a few other Expert software sites available, but no other company lets you create a Widget so that you can tell the world about your services on any website or blog. In 2013 we will also have Widgets for Linked In and Facebook. You can sign-up for a Widget at www.TalkToAnExpertInc.com, and also contact us there.

Questions about our Widget?  Don't hesitate to call us at:  203-517-0543.

Meet Tom Alpert

Tom Alpert has joined our marketing and sales team, and will also be helping with customer service. Tom has a varied background in advertising, sales, social media, and retail appraisal. Tom is coming from the medical and dental print advertising field. Tom is also a musician and plays many instruments and sings. Ask for a song when you talk to him! If you need any help with Talk To An Expert products or services, Tom is your man.

We're Open For Business

Talk To An Expert, Inc. (TalkToAnExpertInc.com) is now open for business. This week we will be launching our software for use by counselors, coaches, consultants, advisers, and experts of all kinds. We will also be launching our flagship site, www.ChildHelp247.com as more than 100 of the nations leading parenting experts make their expertise to parents around the country communicating by phone, video chat, text chat, or email. Help for your children is now just a few clicks away.