Become A Top National Expert For Outstanding Career Success

By Annie Jennings

To create expert status for yourself in your field you can get booked in the media as an expert. This creates a competitive edge for you that is tough for your competitors to match. Here are some tips to get you going. First of all, make a list of everything you can talk about that is important to your industry. Next, expand your list to include real word scenarios likely to exist for your target market. So here's an example, if you are a career expert expand your abilities to comment by looking at the subtopics that affect careers such as "how to get a job when everyone else is losing theirs" or "how to stand out in a pile of resumes. Create expansion points or talking points for each of these sub-categories and you are on your way.

Your professional and expert BIO is the first thing you need to create. Pack it with evidence that you are an expert in the field such as your education, awards, recognitions, accomplishments, associations you belong to along with a list of any previous publicity or media placements you have received. Your bio should support your area of expertise and leave out the personal information that does not matter to the media such as hobbies or how many kids you have although you can mention the location of your nearest major city as sometimes the media likes to know where you or your business is located. Create a list of the shows you want to on, or the media you want to get into and build a list of contacts at the media outlets. You will introduce yourself to your media contacts and then once a story hits the news where you are qualified to provide talking points you can connect with your contacts. They already know you and it will be more likely they will choose you for the opportunity.

Make contact with your media targets in advance to let them know you are standing by for them the next time they need for example, a Workplace Expert or a Legal Analyst. Send your expert status qualifications and topic areas, BIO and your complete contact information including home and cell phone. When the media moves, they move fast. Experts are well-read. Look for articles in major national newspapers and magazines that tie into your area of expertise. TV shows get ideas for programming everywhere. Once you spot a national article that you can expand upon or offer commentary on, you will want to contact the media using your contact database. Then send your talking points, bio, phone numbers, and of course, mention the article or breaking news event to which you are pegging your pitch.

Keep your eye on the news. Anytime there is breaking news that you can comment on as the expert contact your media database immediately and stand by for their call. If you are immediately available for an interview or be willing to drop everything and head to a local TV affiliate for a segment, let them know this and include your closest major city. Watch your target shows and subscribe to your target print media to learn the types of experts they have on the show or use in the article. You should also familiarize yourself with the interviewer's style or the journalist's work in your area. You always want to be pitching "next level" ideas, not something they just covered.

Invest in media training. The media loves a well prepared and media trained expert who knows how to convey information on the exact topic quickly and accurately (with no ummms). You will get one chance to be fabulous! If you are a great expert that the media can count on to do a great job, you will be asked back. Ask your media trainer to train you on your talking points. Order a digital copy of your appearance. This appearance very important in your marketing strategy and most shows do not offer a tape service.

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