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.