Do you know what it takes to become an expert in your industry?

It's easier than you might think.

It really only takes two things:

1) Deciding you want to become known as an expert.

2) Following the proven path to becoming known.

Take a look around.

On the web. In your daily newspaper. In your favorite magazine.

Listen to the radio. Watch TV.

You'll find one thing present in all of these places.

People sharing their expertise.

Sometimes it's through articles they've written.

Other times they're being interviewed.

Then ask yourself these questions:

1) Do these people have credibility?

2) If you were in need of services in their industry, would you be likely to consider them?

Most times the answer to both of these questions is, YES!

Because we assume that if they're in the media, the media has checked them out and they ARE an expert. They ARE qualified to be writing that article, sharing that information or giving that interview.

So how do you go about establishing yourself as an expert?

Well, it's pretty easy. Here are 3 steps.

Step 1: Identify one area related to your business in which you have a lot of knowledge and expertise.

Step 2: Appoint yourself the expert.

Step 3: Start acting like an expert. And, here's how:

Write articles and post them in online article directories or pitch them to the media.

Pursue speaking engagements.

Publish a newsletter or ezine.

Become a resource for the media and make yourself available for interviews.

Do this long enough and you will become viewed as an expert in your field.

And who do people like to do business with? You guessed it - the expert.

This can be especially valuable if your business is in a crowded field, with many others offering similar services.

You need to give people a reason to pick you. And, being the recognized expert is a great reason.

It brings people comfort. They believe you can really help them.

And, they will be more likely to trust you.

After all, the media has trusted you.

The organizations you've spoken for have trusted you.

And, that trust transfers over and can lead to more clients, higher rates and ultimately a more successful business.

Debbie LaChusa

Debbie LaChusa is a marketing veteran with 20 years in the business. After 13 years in the advertising and marketing agency business, Debbie founded DLC Marketing, Inc., a marketing consulting and coaching business. Her goal? To give entrepreneurs and small business owners affordable access to the same high-level strategic marketing and advertising expertise that typically only large companies with big budgets can afford.

Debbie's commitment to making marketing expertise accessible to small business also led her to pursue speaking engagements and teaching. She has spoken at meetings and conventions across the United States and in Canada. She also is on the faculty of Wellcoaches Corporation, where she teaches wellness coach trainees around the world how to successfully market their new coaching practices.

Debbie has written and self-published two marketing workbooks, "A Step-by-Step Marketing Guide" and "A Step-by-Step Marketing Guide for Your Fitness Business" which have sold copies worldwide. Her advice is also featured in Entrepreneur Magazine's "How to Start a Personal Training Business," part of the magazine's Business Start-Up Series. And she is a contributor to the San Diego Business Journal.

Debbie created The 10stepmarketing? System to provide small business owners, coaches, consultants and other independent professionals with all the tools they need to market themselves.

This simple, step-by-step system, features an easy-to-use question-and-answer format that walks business owners through every step they need to take to develop and implement their own marketing plan designed to achieve the success they desire and deserve.

On a more personal note, Debbie LaChusa is a fraternal twin. In 2004 she launched Twin Connections, a web site that celebrates the unique and mysterious bond shared by twins. She collects twin stories and hopes to compile them into a book.