Picking Out the Experts from the Actors: 10 Tips to Help You Decide Who to Trust Online

Posted by Adam_Gottlieb under Marketing
From http://frugalentrepreneur.com 4809 days ago
Made Hot by: shepherd on March 2, 2011 8:08 pm

The minute expertise became an online commodity, the Internet was suddenly awash with experts. But many Internet users have learned the hard way that not everyone is who they say they are. So how do you choose the experts from the actors? Consider these ten tips.

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Comments

Written by Small Business Manifesto
4807 days ago

You're not just looking for an expert either. You're looking for the expertise that's right for you. There are guys who look great on paper/Facebook/LinkedIn what have you. Everybody likes 'em and calls 'em visionaries. But you just can't work with them. Starbucks is great but I might prefer the little mom and pop cafe down the street. It's not just a matter of getting the best cup of coffee by everyone else's standards. Sometimes the only way to find the cup of joe that's right for you is to sample some and decide for yourself.

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Written by Adam_Gottlieb
4807 days ago

Very important point...

But my goal in writing the post was to help people avoid getting burnt while they're in the process of sampling.

Thanks for the comment.

Adam

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Written by m4bmarketing
4808 days ago

Great article Adam and good tips. I agree with Alastair about expertise and had a discussion on this last year on BizSugar with Bill Rice.

One thing that I look for in the About page is those that say they have held senior positions in well known companies but never mention any company names.

Susan

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Written by Adam_Gottlieb
4807 days ago

The About page is definitely a good place start as well as LinkedIn. Someone offering professional services and/or products should be upfront about his or his educational and professional background. If the person is vague in these areas, then it's usually a good idea to stay away, unless several of the other factors I mentioned are in place.

Thanks fot the comment, Susan.

Adam

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Written by alastair
4808 days ago

Hi Adam

Really good article. I love points 7,8,9 and 10. Strangely enough, I thought I hated point number 1 but then I got to:

"Just keep in mind though, that the quality of the feedback you receive will be dependent on the quality of the relationships you have built up with the people in your online social circles."

That's a very important point.

I've always liked the notion of looking for expertise rather than experts. To me, an expert is someone who is good at the self promotion game. Expertise is something I can use and get value from. If I can find expertise without paying the expert premium, so much the better.

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Written by Adam_Gottlieb
4808 days ago

Thanks, Alastair.

This is one of the well-known advantages of the Internet- it levels the playing field, so that virtual unknowns, who possess real and valuable expertise, can have an impact in a way that would not have been possible otherwise.

Thanks for the comment,

Adam

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Written by yoni67
4809 days ago

Great post Adam,

From footprint to references to Social Networks to experience, you've hit every point. Doing business needs a bit of detective work to see between how people present themselves and reality.

Yoni

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Written by Adam_Gottlieb
4809 days ago

Thanks, Yoni.

Yeah, it's especially true whenever you are going shell out money for someone's advice, product, or service.

Adam

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