Everyone will listen to experts, right? How do you become one? Unless you are highly qualified already and have multiple certifications and/or degrees, it might be a long journey to becoming "The Expert" or trusted advisor in your field.

However, I believe that this is a long-term strategy that can be won if you follow a few simple techniques:

1. Remember writing letters to the editor? Pick up a magazine or newspaper and read the style of that journal. Once you get a feel for the type of writing, give it a shot. If you do get published, this clearly gives you a great start to a portfolio that will build lasting credibility. If you’re not a great writer, there is only one way to get better and that is to start writing.
2. Know your target audience. You will hear this a million times - narrow your audience. The more defined the easier the target.
3. Always be prepared and do your homework. It has been said that you have to spend at least 1000 hours on a subject to really speak effortlessly about it. Absorb yourself in learning about your field, your expertise and your industry. With fast changes in just about every industry, this method allows you to be cutting edge and knowledgeable to speak as an expert.
4. Develop a long-term strategy. Another bit of advice you will learn – becoming an expert isn't an overnight plan. In fact, if you do not develop the mindset that it's going to take time to build your credibility, you will not be able to get past the quick fix syndrome that many small business owners have. Think about posting articles, starting a blog, speaking engagements, educating consumers, or building a portfolio of events and press releases that demonstrate your expertise.
5. How about a newsletter and email list. A small article in a local newspaper can generate an email opt-in list, if you give away free advice, by directing consumers to sign up for your newsletter online. It's really quite simple. Think about all the topics you can cover. Plan them out over a year. Develop the articles and send out a blast at least once a month but typically no more than three.

Credibility is a journey not a quick fix solution. Your action plan is to write down five things you can do to start building your credibility and earning the title of "The Expert" in your field. List the five things and then spend a few minutes each week building a to do list that gets you from A to Z. Start now and before you know it, you'll have five published articles, three speaking engagements, eight press releases and a host of credible resources for your portfolio.

Most of all, credibility builds trust and trust generates sales. You have to crawl before you can walk. Plan today!