Boost Your Impact: Build an Expert Advisory Network

Collaborate. As a writer, I love that word. The value of collaboration cannot be overstated—it gives us access to the expertise of others, enriching our own knowledge and perspective. No longer working in isolation, we can give our ideas greater depth and context. Most importantly, by combining efforts with others, we can reach further and achieve more than we could alone.

Last week, I introduced the idea of A Call to Collaborate and Share Your Expertise for Better Aging. Today, I want to expand on that discussion by sharing practical ways to make it happen. If you are someone who, like me, is passionate about collaborating with experts to share knowledge and enhance the power of the written word, you will find these ideas invaluable. Together, we will explore five strategies for building your own network of experts to add powerful insights to your content. Let’s dive in.

Here’s an Idea: Build an Expert Advisory Network (EAN)

It can be helpful to assign a name to something that clarifies its purpose; so, that is what I have done. I decided to call my network of subject matter experts (SMEs) my Expert Advisory Network. I like how it sounds, and each word conveys a powerful meaning.

Building an Expert Advisory Network (EAN) offers immense value for writers and content creators, especially those focused on niche topics. (For me, that niche is better aging through music.) As I work on producing articles, books, and videos, the people I collaborate with will be crucial to the depth and quality of my content. Here is a quick list of benefits to having your own EAN:

1. Enhanced Credibility: Including experts in your content adds authority, signaling to your audience that your work is backed by seasoned professionals.

2. Diverse Perspectives: Each expert brings unique insights, ensuring your content covers all angles and remains relevant to a broader audience.

3. Access to In-Depth Knowledge: Experts share specialized knowledge, elevating the quality of information and providing audiences with insights that may be difficult to find elsewhere.

4. Mutual Promotion: Experts often share the content they are featured in, introducing their network to your work and expanding your reach. In book publishing, I call these folks my “book ambassadors.”

5. Long-Term Collaboration: Building relationships with experts can lead to future opportunities, from co-authored content to speaking events and more.

When you establish an EAN, you are not only gathering expert insights; you are creating a mutually beneficial partnership. I aim to feature each expert’s unique perspective, give them proper attribution, and provide meaningful exposure for their work through my articles, books, and YouTube channel. What I look forward to doing is creating an ongoing network of collaborators who enjoy long-term professional relationships and shared visibility. It’s a win-win!

Whether you are a business owner, thought leader, or industry specialist, developing your own EAN can greatly enrich both personal and professional growth. To me, this is super exciting! So, how do you go about finding the right people? Here is what I am doing—you may find these ideas helpful.

5 Ideas to Find and Connect with Experts for Your Advisory Network

Let me begin by saying that building your network is a lot of fun. It has opened up opportunities for me to meet and interact with some incredible people. Writing magazine articles, books, and performing interviews (YouTube channels and podcasts!) creates doors to invite connections. Here are some of the ideas I am using to connect with experts:

1. Professional Associations and Societies: Identify niche-specific groups. They are packed full of people, resources, and paths to access.

2. LinkedIn Searches and Groups: LinkedIn’s search function is invaluable for finding profiles with specific expertise. Reach out to your 1st connections and explore their networks (if public). Follow groups to discover thought leaders and interact with articles and posts to build relationships.

3. Industry Conferences and Webinars: Whenever possible, attend online and in-person events related to your niche. Meet the speakers, and connect with knowledgeable attendees who are open to partnerships.

4. Academic Institutions: Professors and researchers are often eager to share their knowledge with broader audiences and may be interested in contributing to accessible content.

5. Read, Research, and Read More: Reading and research introduce you to people to connect with for your EAN. Look for blogs, white papers, peer-reviewed papers, books, magazine articles (which often feature SMEs), speeches, YouTube channels (for personal stories), and newsletters.

As you can see, there is an abundance of SME resources available. Building your network does take time, but the value is undeniable. When you are ready to write and need an expert on a specific topic, you simply turn to your “digital Rolodex” and select the perfect contact.

Start Today: Build Your Expert Advisory Network

Friends, building your Expert Advisory Network won't happen overnight, so it makes sense to start now. I believe the journey is not only rewarding but invaluable in terms of the expertise you (and I) will have at our fingertips.

If you are serious about expanding your writing as a business owner or industry thought leader, establishing your own EAN is essential. Where to begin? Start as I am—by connecting with professionals in your LinkedIn and personal networks. Invite them to introduce you to individuals in your niche. Trust me, you will embark on a journey that is exciting, fulfilling, and incredibly valuable for creating content that impacts others.

Let the collaborations begin!

?? INVITATION TO BE ON THE SCHEDULE: Are you an activity professional, senior community owner, musician, physician, or expert in senior wellness or senior services? I'm seeking subject matter experts to be part of my personal Expert Advisory Network to feature in magazine articles covering senior wellness, memory and music, dementia, and senior caregiving.

Additionally, I have two open spots left for author book projects for 2025.

If you're interested in sharing your insights and contributing to the conversation, let’s connect!