When we want to learn about something, we look for people who know a lot about this subject. We attend their lectures and we read their books. But what makes them an expert? What makes them the person we turn to the person of authority?

Expert. Guru. Authority. Words that are often connected to someone who knows a lot about a certain topic. These are the people other folks approach if they want to learn more about something. They are teachers, mentors, charismatic people who say things that people will quickly believe.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines an expert as “one with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject.” People look to an expert for details because they have faith that whatever that person says is the information they need.

One becomes an expert through the knowledge he or she has gotten through study. They also become experts through years of experience. Yet there are other factors that make someone an expert. Here we explore five things that can help you to sell yourself as an expert.

1. Be genuinely interested. Your passion for your subject matter is a strong driving force. You are driven to learn as much as you can for something that you find fascinating. You devote time and effort to find as much as you can about it, but you continue to want more even if you’ve exhausted all the avenues. In fact, you don’t believe that you have exhausted all these avenues and continue to look for more. Your commitment and dedication shows in your work, and people acknowledge it. It also entices folks to become interested. Why is he so gung-ho about this topic? What makes it so good? This helps establish your credibility as the “go to” person for this subject matter.

2. Keep on learning. While an expert knows more about a certain topic than the average Joe, it doesn’t mean that you know everything. Just as scientists are constantly discovering new things and people are continuously inventing and improving on the technology that we have right now, you must keep on learning. Being an expert means you not only know what there is to know about your subject now, but you are also keen in keeping up with the developments in the field. Read, listen to the news, study, and interact with other enthusiasts. It helps you learn and helps you keep your credibility as an expert.

3. Practice the right amount of humility. While experts have the right to feel proud that they are experts, it never bodes well for them (or for anyone, for that matter) to feel like they’re better than everyone else. You have an edge, but you’re not a god. People don’t like it if you’re condescending, or if you have self-entitlement issues. Just because you’re good doesn’t mean you can go about telling people “Hey, listen to me! I’m the best!” Someone better, smarter and more knowledgeable can come along and trump you. Remember, there are always new things to learn and there is always room in your head for that knowledge.

At the same time, don’t be falsely modest. It is as bad as bragging. People can sense false modesty as easily as they can a braggart. Don’t push yourself on other people either. Nothing’s worse than forcing people to believe what you say when they don’t want to. People tend to gravitate towards experts who want to share, but will not force their knowledge on to others.

4. Share what you know and communicate. The best way to market yourself as an expert is to share the knowledge you have to others who want to learn. Those who don’t have much faith in themselves as experts often use trade secrets. By sharing what you know, you are reinforcing the fact that you know a lot and people will come to you when they need someone with your knowledge and expertise.

In her post “When the ‘Expert’ Needs an Expert”, Liz Galloway says that today’s (online) experts are often so because their readers made them that way. They say something good, people like it and they spread the information that so-and-so knows a lot about something. Your knowledge and “expertise” won’t be of any use if you keep it to yourself. Reach out to other enthusiasts of your subject, particularly to those who wish to learn more about it. Without an audience, you are nothing.

5. Connect with others. It’s not enough that you read about your subject or dedicate your whole life to it. As mentioned earlier, you are only an expert if people need your information. The best way you can do that is to reach out to people who want to learn and are willing to listen. Build connections with people. Create a network of like-minded people who can refer you to those who wish to learn more. No one can be alone and maintain expertise.

Lead also by example. Being all talk and no action won’t help your credibility as an expert. People need to see you applying what you know to your life. It’s easier to believe someone who talks the talk and walks the walk, rather than someone who just preaches and talks but never follows through.

Also keep an open mind. Encourage discussions; accept opinions and criticisms with good grace. It helps you widen your perspective and gives you an angle to know more about your subject.

Cathy is part of the team that manages and maintains Australian Credit Cards, a personal finance blog about small business credit cards based in Sydney, Australia. Before she joined ACC, she was a staff nurse at Clark Airbase Hospital and conducted lectures on First Aid, Bio-terrorism and Disaster Management.

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