How to Move From a Best Kept Secret to a Known Expert

Many people in business these days work as coaches, authors, workshop leaders, consultants or all of the above. You are my favorite kind of business leader. Why?

Because I am passionate about growing your business. I'm not talking about a little bit of growth. Specifically, I'm talking about "adding a zero” to your business.

Why do I care? Maybe, because most of the coaches, authors, workshop leaders and consultants I know have the kind of expertise you want and need--if you had the time and resources to learn from them.

Truthfully, I care because, in my mind, you are entitled to a small portion of e-learning market revenue that, according to Entrepreneur Magazine “surpassed $200 billion and is anticipated to grow at over 8 percent CAGR between now and 2026 to $375 billion by 2026.

You may find these numbers both inspiring and frustrating. That said, the potential for adding a new stream of revenue is undeniable. However, developing a sound course creation strategy is simpler than it sounds.

Many experts get trapped in the "hype" of course creation trend before developing a strategy. I want to help you avoid this trap by recommending you begin with a course development strategy and plan for course creation.

Building a strategy/plan increases your likelihood of success.

You rack your brains for years looking for ways to be a known for the wisdom you've developed over years so that you can easily attract a steady flow of high paying ideal clients--yes?

Of course!

Unfortunately, spending insane amounts of time identifying new "shiny" tactics for creating courses before clarifying what expertise you want to be known for might lead to an "all dressed up with no place to go" situation.

Do you want to cheat yourself by limiting your growth with new tactics?

If your answer is “NO!” Here's some good news. There are a few ways for you to easily turn your expertise into multiple streams of revenue.

In a recent LinkedIn post, I included a few suggested Questions Course Creators should ask themselves. The question that can be challenging is addressing the unique aspects of your expertise. As follow up to that post, here are a few more specifics to help you answer the question:

1. What situations do people you work with struggle with or complain about that your expertise can address.?
2. Next, imagine the exact words these people use to describe their “complaints.”
3. Last, imagine how the struggles described look/sound different based on the person who is asking for help. Hint: This helps you identify your 2-3 ideal clients.?

These three questions can help you crystalize as strategy that focuses on how and why you want to be known for your expertise.

This approach makes it possible so that your "new and improved" targeted tactics actually help you achieve your revenue goals faster over the course of your ideal customer’s journey.

Bottom line, when you develop a strategy first, it makes turning your expertise into growth and profit, easier.

By now you might be asking yourself, “What kind of growth strategy is she talking about?”

The answer is, it depends on the purpose of your growth strategy.

1. ? ? Do you want a growth strategy that involves creating a paid group training/coaching or 1:1 program?

2. ? ? Do you want a growth strategy that involves creating revenue-generating self-paced training program(s)?

3. ? ? Do you want a growth strategy that includes a “go-to-market” strategy that will drive interest and revenue?

If you answer yes to all these questions, congratulations! You're moving in the right direction.

Answering these questions helps you create a strategy that results in better packaging and pricing for your offerings so that you attract more customers and drive more revenue.

Once you’ve identified your strategy, make a list of the types of non-competitive businesses that are already marketing to your target audience. According Jerrilynn B. Thomas, founder of Smart Women Partner & Grow Rich, aligning your company’s interests, resources, and marketing muscle with other like-minded business and professional people to accomplish much more than you might be able to do on your own is a smart way to grow your profits. Jerrilynn recommends browsing your LinkedIn connections to find businesses that fit your initial criteria and create a mini dossier on them. It should include how active they are on social media, if they give webinars, publish a newsletter, have a podcast, etc. Set up an introductory virtual cup of coffee with them to discuss collaborating and share what you bring to the table to make partnering with you worthwhile.

Another business strategy method is to find organizations that have like-minded individuals where you can brainstorm or mastermind. By doing this, you utilize and leverage the knowledge of others. According to Sharon Ringier of I’m Possible Women’s Empowerment Collaborative, Inc., being a part of a mastermind is the #1 tool every entrepreneur needs in their arsenal. Not only are you able to receive valuable advice and experience from others, you’re also able to share your knowledge as well. This is a great way to build relationships with those that you want to collaborate with.?