Category Archives: 1-Monday – Subject Matter Expert

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 513 – Why Does Reading Builds Your Subject Matter Expert Status?

Posted on by

Grab my free guide: The 5 C’s of the Infinity Marketing Machine

“Read more, learn more, invest in yourself.”

Monday: Subject Matter Expert

The first “C” of the Infinity Marketing Machine is designed to build your credibility with your customers.  Our goal is to turn customers into a tribe that knows, likes, and trusts you.

It’s an important “C” that is often overlooked.  But, just like a face to face encounter can leave you a tad uneasy if you sense something is shady about the person you talk to… so too can a visit to your website if the person, business, or product seems shady.

The way to less “shady” yourself is to promote the things that make you reputable!

Often this is honors, awards, education, titles… but sometimes it’s as simple as sharing your knowledge.

Today’s inspiration goes miles for building your Subject Matter Expertise.  You must be willing to invest in yourself… this can be as simple as reading trade magazines.  However, it should not be a chore… if it is a chore, you may possibly be in the wrong industry.

Reading is the first aspect… writing and speaking is the next.  You must share your knowledge.

This can be in the form of your blog posts, posts on Facebook, pages on your website, or even the descriptions of your products and services.

There are many ways your expertise is highlighted.  This is why it’s so important to stay current with the latest trends and information.

So the next time someone remarks on how you’re reading a magazine… just tell them you’re building your subject matter expertise!   It’s true… keep current.

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode “Content & Consistency”!

PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! Begin with my quick and simple guide to understanding the 5C’s of the Infinity Marketing Machine.  I call it #doinginfinity.  Click Here and I’ll email you a FREE download.

Infinitypreneur.com

 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

Advertisements

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode #507 – What Does Driving a Barge Have To Do With Your Content Marketing Plan?

Posted on by

“Content marketing is great for SEO but also for building credibility.”

Monday: Credibility (Subject Matter Expert)

Today the inspiration talks about content marketing and how it’s great for SEO – but the at the end we get a hook on “building credibility”.

Let’s chat about Credibility.   I pick Mondays because I like to ease into the week by talking about ourselves!  haha  Sometimes that’s hard.

Here’s the deal.

The sooner you get out of your own way, the better!  And I’m going to use a real world example from last week.

The bulk of my “real world” experience comes from our family marina.  Well… last week my dad had a full knee replacement.  I know, ouch.  He’s doing well.  But while he’s recovering, I’m the point person for all things going on at the marina.

It’s now November, in Minnesota, and should be “calm”.  We just got all of the boats out and we’re waiting for the lake to freeze.   On Halloween we closed the gas dock for the summer, just over 10 days ago.

Historically the lake freezes mid to lake November, usually around Thanksgiving, two years ago it was the day before Christmas, but that was really late.

OK, so imagine my surprise when the owner of the barge company came in last week on Tuesday and said he needs to bring the barge over on Thursday or Friday because the lake is going to freeze by the end of the week!

The original plan was to bring it over at Thanksgiving.

But this meant we needed to get part of the dock pulled in preparation for the barge.

Again, at this point 6 days earlier we were still pumping gas, now I’m being told the lake is going to freeze.

hummmmmmmmmm…

This is why you need to be an expert and you need to rely on experts!

This seemed so out of the realm of possibilities to me, then again, we do not measure lake temperature.  They do.

I needed to stop. Think. Process. AND realize, they’re the expert.

Now… look at these two photos.

img_5939
Thursday Afternoon – water!

img_5952
Saturday Morning – ice!  #experts

Do you have this expert status command with your clients?  When you speak, will they do what I did with the barge company…?

Will your customers:
Stop.
Think.
Process.
AND realize that you are an expert?

This is why you need to position yourself ONLINE as a subject matter expert in your field.  You need to become the “go to” person/expert/business!

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode “Week in Review”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

img_5957

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode #501 – No Matter How Much You Hate It, Become An Expert at Running.

Posted on by

“Embrace Your Expertise”

Monday: Character (Subject Matter Expert)

It’s ironic.  We focus on our weakness and then wonder why we don’t excel.

I’ve always wondered why we do this, especially with tests.  I can remember taking tests in school and the next day you’d get the graded test back… and immediately you’d look at the grade, then focus on all the answers you got wrong.

Why do we focus on this?

I also remember being really terrible at running and having my gym teacher tell me I need to focus on running… at this point I was a State Champion at baton twirling, a sport which requires zero running.  Yet… my teacher wanted me to focus my effort on running.

That seemed crazy to me.  I hate running. I’m not good at it.  I loved baton twirling. I was good at it.  So why on earth would my teacher say to focus on running… that’s dumb.

We need to focus on what we do really well, and pay other people to do the stuff we are awful at.

It’s that simple.  Minus the running, but there are days it would be awesome if you could pay someone to exercise for you! 🙂

But seriously, I think these early years of upside down and backward messaging screws us up later in life when we need to market ourselves as experts.

Think about a job interview… I know you have your own business so you don’t do that… but you have had one in the past.  They are horrible and uncomfortable because you’re there to “sell” yourself as an expert.

Well… we still do this in our everyday representations as a business owner.  You meet with people, share knowledge, and sell yourself!  Therefore, you must step past the shortcomings of your youth, the “work on your weaknesses” and spend time focusing on the “wrong test answers” and instead…

Believe you are an expert, right down in your soul!

You are an expert.

Today, use this new superpower and talk to someone KNOWING you are an expert.

Embrace Your Expertise.

 

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode “Week in Review”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 495 – Go Full Circle and Don’t Learn in a Classroom!

Posted on by

“If you want to be powerful in life you have to educate yourself.”

Monday: Subject Matter Expert

This morning I had a thought… When did “we” as a society get to a point where only professional training “counts”.  If you don’t learn it in a classroom with a “professional” instructor, it’s not valid.

Since when?

Forever… up until maybe a generation ago… we learned from each other!  It seemed to work really well.  The formal education was a specialty, now… it seems pretty much like a stepping stone.  I’m not going down that path.

The path I am going down is to share the peer to peer exchange of ideas.

Have you ever jumped into a group chat?  Do you read comments on posts and learn new things?  Have you read a book or magazine lately?  How about a course on Udemy?

I like today’s inspiration because it encourages everyone to continue to learn… always.

When I was thinking about this earlier today it occurred to me… what I’m sharing with your is what I’ve learned from many people, books, seminars, trial, error, videos, and group chats.  Never once have I stepped foot into a college course to learn about the “new marketing”

You reading this blog post proves you also believe in peer-to-peer learning!

It’s so valuable.

You can and should list this in your background of skills that helps you to boost your social proof.  List the seminars you attend.  List the books you’ve read.  List the online courses you’ve completed.  These are valid learning experiences!

I just wanted to take a moment to share that in today’s rapidly changing technological whirl wind, peer-to-peer is a totally valid source of education and learning… it was not that long ago that the only way to learn anything was peer-to-peer via apprentice ships…. so I think we’ve gone full circle.

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode “Week in Review”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 489 – Third Party Proof is the Online Substitute for First Hand Interaction

Posted on by

“Excellence is not Being The Best; It is Doing The Best.”

Monday Topic: Character (Subject Matter Expert)

Welcome to Monday!  We’re starting the week with us.

I know… you’re thinking, “she’s way too happy for a Monday morning” — well you’re right!  Time to get up and think positive thoughts about ourselves.

It’s time to promote yourself.

This is a very important skill to learn and practice because you need to get the word out about YOU.  The reason behind this is to build credibility online.

If you had a customer in front of you they would be able to ask questions and gauge your honesty by your answers, not just what you say… but how you say it.

Online, you need to build your Subject Matter Expertise.  This is the magic that is you… meaning 3rd party things that help tell your story.  For example, your educational training, this could be a degree or certificate.  Both are earned from a 3rd party institution.

You could include newspaper or magazine articles that show your credibility.  Again, written by a source, other than you, helps to tell your story.  Here’s a story about how I’ve implemented the Infinity Marketing Machine at our family marina… cool, eh?  I like to think that when you read it, it adds to my social proof!

Awards are a great source of 3rd party proof, too.  Show the photo of you on stage or the trophy you won.  These are all helpful things to show a total story about you and your excellence.

Remember, just like today’s inspiration state, excellence is not being best, it’s doing the best.  HOWEVER, to do your best… sometimes you need to prove how you are the best and that comes from boasting your Subject Matter Expertise.

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode “Week in Review”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 483 – Why Original Content Helps You

Posted on by

“People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.”- John C Maxwell

Monday Topic: Character (Subject Matter Expert)

As we welcome our Monday let’s review the 5 C’s of the Infinity Marketing Machine.  These 5 C’s are the foundation that convert your customers into a tribe that knows, likes, and trusts you.  They are:  Character, Content, Consistency, Customers and Cash.

Today I’m looking at our first “C” of Character a little different.  I want to look at it from a leadership angle.

Regularly I write about the importance of “proving” your credibility with honors/awards, education/certifications, and even blogging your expertise.  This is important.  However, like today’s inspirations states, “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.”- John C Maxwell.

This tells me you need to be a leader.  And as we convert our customers into a loyal tribe, they need you to lead.

How do you do this?

Let’s go back to that blog thing… whether you like writing or speaking, you need to provide original content about your store, business, and industry.  It’s important!

You’re already talking with customers and reading industry magazines or attending conferences.  Learn to share this information on your website whether it’s written or transmitted via video.  This first hand presentation of information is valuable to positioning yourself as a Subject Matter Expert!

Think about what draws you to a business… it’s information. You visit a site and can see the product or service… but what about the information.  Do they share their story, history, or expertise? When they do feature this first hand information… you trust them.

This is the importance of our first “C” and as you see it’s fundamental to building trust with a tribe.

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode “Week in Review”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 477 – What’s Your Intro?

Posted on by

“Leadership is not about your title, it’s about your behavior”

Monday: Subject Matter Expert

Having trouble with positioning yourself as a Subject Matter Expert?  Sometimes its because it feels strange to “brag”.  I assure you this is not bragging.

This is about building trust.

You need to build trust online and this is the most effective way to do this.  Here’s why… when you meet someone in person you have the advantage of picking up on non-verbal ques.  You can see the way they smile, the way they use eye contact, and even how they shake your hand.  But online you’ve got nothing!

Well… you have something… you have the ability to position yourself as a Subject Matter Expert!

When you’re having trouble trying to focus on “what” to list that would be helpful to strangers in the “building trust” category… just think of how you’d like someone to introduce you.

Imagine you’re taking the stage and the emcee is going to give your 30 second pitch!

What honor, titles, awards, and credentials do you want the audience to know about?

Your answer is exactly what you need to focus on.

So now… go, build up your profile and create a one paragraph “pitch” that you can add to your “about me” page.  This is really how easy the Subject Matter Expert positioning can be.

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Content and Consistency”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode #471 – Your Proof is Your Proof.

Posted on by

“Don’t brag about your work. Let your success speak for itself”

Monday: Character

Here’s a question to ponder… how do you brag without bragging?

Use PROOF!

I picked up Mr. Pancake at the doggie daycare and I realized something… they’re really good at what they do.  This particular day care is probably one of the best in the country.  The woman who started it was a VP of a major hotel chain, but always wanted to create a country club for dog… thus a pretty amazing dog care.

You know how I know… Mr. Pancake is STILL tired.  yea!!!!

On Monday’s we talk about Subject Matter Expert and showcasing your credibility to build trust with your customers via Character… the first C of the Infinity Marketing Machine.

Well…Here’s what happens when you walk into the doggy day care.  You see hundreds of photos of individual dogs in their swimming pool.  The photos are in frames all over the main reception area.

This type of humble brag shows testimonials of those that can’t speak.  The photos show dogs simply enjoying themselves in the beautiful clean water of their pool.

The pool is their showcase.

Another feature of this doggy daycare is their reception area.  Yes, it’s complete with a front desk and gift shop.  The merchandise is for the women.  It’s a boutique.  Not a dog bone to be purchased… well there were bone shaped throw pillows.

Knowing the back story that the owner came from the hotel industry is proven with the aspects of the reservation desk, gift store and “check in”/”check out” hours.  This is all bragging about the credibility of the service you’ll receive.

You see… sometimes your proof is you actually doing.

Let’s say you own a wedding planning business and your degree is accounting.  Your credibility is proven by having error free accurate bills.  If you send out delayed bills or bills with errors, it does translate to the rest of your business, especially if you are a classically trained accounting major.  This means you must be good at weddings and accounting!

Traditionally I talk about enhancing your Linked In Profile or other social media platforms to increase your social proof.  Today I thought it would be worth a reminder that your character is defined via your follow through.  Letting your success speak for itself is a great way to brag without bragging.  It’s your brand!

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Content and Consistency”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

 

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 465 – Important to Remember

Posted on by

Being an “expert” today does not guarantee your mastery tomorrow.”

Monday: Character

Today’s inspiration is a little depressing, isn’t it?  Just because you’re an expert today doesn’t mean you’ll be a master tomorrow!

You’ve got to keep up with your skills.

Think about it.

How useful is it to know how to use a rotary phone?  (I just saw a meme with some teenage boys trying to operate a phone) How about a Polaroid camera?  I took a photo of two crew members with a Polaroid… it was hilarious, they had shocked faces with the flash, and giggled watching the photo come to life.  Me… it was crazy to think that this was the first time they every saw this technology.

What other skills do you have that are outdated?  Next question… how closely related are these to your current business?

Let me give you another example… I was surfing a site centered around technology for schools.  Again, technology for schools.  They’re site was not even responsive for mobile!  It makes me wonder if the site is a fraud.  It could be the best product in the world but something directly related to the core function of the business, that is technology, is not “top notch”.

It is like when an overweight doctor tells you that you need to lose weight.

You really need to be careful that in your area of expertise you are representing your brand, well!  If you are a financial planner with a conservative investment philosophy, you should not drive a Bentley.  Now, if you are top notch attorney your brand might be supported by a Bentley.

I’ll tell you this… a couple years ago I needed to go into the city, a.k.a., drive to downtown Minneapolis.  There I was walking through the City Center building and I felt out of place!  I felt as out of place as when my customers show up in full suits.  I was wearing khaki shorts and a Nautica windbreaker!  Not exactly “downtown” clothes.

I’m mentioning this because you need to be aware of your branding, all the time.  This includes the brand that is you!  Each thing you do helps or hurts your brand.  Things like “old” certifications on your wall.   Sure, social proof is created by hanging a certificate on your wall… but do people really need to know you’re certified in Windows 3.0?

So don’t just keep up with your education and skills via conferences, seminars, and classes — but keep up with your social proof by having current certificates on your walls and online.  It’s easy to forget BUT soooooo important to remember!

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Content and Consistency”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode #459 – These Three Tips Improve Your Online Credibility, Today.

Posted on by

“Don’t find yourself. Create yourself.”

Monday: Character

Do you wait for things to happen to you or do you make things happen?

Today’s inspiration is all about your answer to this question.  If you wait for things to happen, you are not in control.  When it comes to creating yourself… you must be in control.

Here are three tips to gaining control with the image you present online.

1)  Linked In.  – Go into your profile and update!  Make sure to be creative.  This is your chance to show people what you’re made of!  Honors and awards need to be included, this is a vital avenue to character and showcasing that you are a Subject Matter Expert.

Now…. if you don’t have “awards” or have a unique field without awards, you can still build expertise in your followers.  This is why McDonalds has “billions and billions” served!  When I worked in college admissions I served on a scholarship committee… but does it sound better to say, “I’ve read over 1,000 scholarship applications”… be creative.

2)  Website – About Me.  Use this space to share who you are!  It’s similar to the Linked In profile – but different in that you want to share your personality.   Include photos and add recent “coolness” – You’ll include awards/honors and leadership activities — but you’ll also want to show your story.

Your story is what makes you… YOU.  Include how you developed your talents that brought you to open a business.  Let your readers understand who you are.  I said, “personality” earlier… and it’s important to show that side.  But story are the words that got you where you are today.

3)  Write something!  If you’re not up to a blog… yet… then at least come up with your big list of questions.  Start with one giant list.  It’s going to be related to one profit center.   Remember profit centers are areas of your business that generate income.  For our marina we have a boat club, winter storage, and a store.  They interrelate but they also stand alone!

So… take the time to write down every question you’ve ever been asked by a prospective client.  The reason this builds credibility is that people reading online will have those exact questions.  When they find the person that can answer their questions, they’ve found an expert.

There you go.  Three things to immediately build your character… that are not difficult to do today!

Sounds like you’ve got some work to do!  But it will be worth it to build your character – the first C of the Infinity Marketing Machine.

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Content & Consistency”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review