« Scam Alert - Be Careful What YOU deem as a scam | Main | What Gets Me Thru the Day Plugging Away »
January 15, 2007
Expert or Not?
The world of the internet is inundated with self proclaimed "experts". These "experts" will sell you their ebooks, information, ideas and seem to have all the answers for those of us who aren't "experts" in the fields they claim to be. Unfortunately many of these "experts" really are not what they say they are. They are only attempting to come up with yet another way to make money online. The sad thing is, many of them don't even realize that they really aren't "experts". They have puffed themselves up to think that they know more or are more successful than they really are.
|
For example; just because someone has been able to build a few websites, does NOT make them an expert at creating websites. Just because someone has joined some network marketing or direct sales companies over the years, does NOT make them an expert at it. Just because someone has a degree in marketing, does not make them an expert in how to market a company or product. Talk is cheap, but putting your money where your mouth is, that is what counts - they need to prove their expertise. So what qualifies someone as an expert? In my opinion...success AND experience. They go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other and a person or company cannot qualify themselves as an expert without the two together. |
We ALL have experience in different areas of our life and
business. And many people could have several YEARS experience. But without
success intertwined with those years of experience....the expertise is not
there. Even though I have years of experience working with kids in a variety of
areas, I would not qualify myself as an "expert" in children's education or
children't ministries. My work has been limited and very part time and is not
one of the main thrusts of what I do in my life or work.
If you are looking at purchasing some sort of book or information, be sure to
understand the person's background and see what sort of success they have really
had. Just because they have "done it", doesn't make them an expert. The
experience and successes that they have created from those experiences is what
can give them honor of calling themselves an expert in their field.
Posted by Cyndi at January 15, 2007 11:57 AM
Comments
Thank you, thank you for making such a true statement!
Posted by: Donna at January 15, 2007 02:31 PM
Very true...part of the problem is that many of the internet marketing 'manuals' instruct us all to become 'experts' at something. They encourage rampant posting on forums, for example, so you will be deemed the 'expert'. Your advice is good - be sure to do your due diligence before buying the next 'expert's' offerings.
Posted by: Dawn at January 16, 2007 06:01 PM
Cyndi, I couldn't agree more. Since I have been in the home based arena I have run into both sides so many times. People who have called me to join my team telling me they are experts and they have been in networking for more than 20 years but haven't made a cent! Then there was my old upline who made money when they first joined networking but didn't know a thing about teaching or training yet they sold mentoring packages! Now, I look up people's backgrounds and referrals before purchasing a book and have found some true mentors who know how to teach and have made millions in the business. I even ran into a local life coach who was not successful financially or personally! Pretty crazy stuff. Today I feel so grateful for having the knowledge to know that experience and success truly do count. -- K.
Posted by: Kelly at January 16, 2007 06:02 PM
Kelly - so true.... that is one of the scary things about the internet - anyone can say they are anything and can proclaim many things about themselves. And there is noone at times to know the wiser...
Over the years, I have learned some very disturbing facts (yes, actual facts as people who know them in real life and know the truth about them)about people who are proclaiming how wonderful they are or what great things they can do for people. So... beware, look at what these people have actually done and been successful at.
I too have known and seen people who have been in network marketing, hopping from one company to the next, never finding true success in anything, but tout the "10 years experience" in network marketing. Again... experience does not equal success.
Posted by: Cyndi at January 16, 2007 06:09 PM
Yes, this is very true. And I think people are so gullible these days. More gullible than ever before due to all the information out there. I'm even guilty of it. This is a good reminder for us to check people's backgrounds and KNOW their experience and education before believing everything they say.
Posted by: Christianna at January 16, 2007 07:36 PM
yes thats true not just for business advice,people go online seeking health advice,parenting advice etc etc.Internet is not regulated for truthfulness so its up to the consumer to do their research carefully!
Posted by: Michelle Jadaa at January 17, 2007 12:16 PM
Yes, so true, but here is another side to that... how do you convince men to take you seriously when you have experience and are successful? I have a successful internet web design company but my male cleints still try to tell me they know more than I do about things. I have two specifically that challenge everything I do and say.
Posted by: Leigha at January 19, 2007 09:59 AM
As many have said, several online "tutorials" state to make yourself known by writing articles and establishing yourself as a "expert" in your field. And many do. I guess it goes back to the essentials: do your research. Not everything, and everyone is what they are hyped up to be :). I personally believe you can be an expert in your field without a "formal" education. Experience is the key. No one becomes an expert overnight. A persons' work tells a 100 stories....
Posted by: Heike at January 23, 2007 07:02 PM
I completely agree! New names pop up all the time claiming to be an internet guru or expert. If that's true then why have we never heard of them before?
I would rather take advice from someone that I've seen in my dealings, who continues to do business year after year. Obviously they're doing something right or they would not be in business for so long.
Posted by: Regina Bell at January 30, 2007 02:47 PM
these days the one time offers are hot & every body is trying to get in to the action, we'll see more of these so called experts, as long as people buy their information / advice, so it's up to us to learn more about the expert's background before buying any thing from them.
Posted by: diana at January 31, 2007 02:41 PM
