This is a quick post inspired by a tweet I saw retweeted just now:
At what point does someone get to call themselves an expert in any field? I’ve come across a number of “SEO experts” that only have a few months experience
— Eli Schwartz (@5le) August 18, 2021
My answer? Never.
It’s not a case of “at what point” – whether you have a few months or a few years or a few decades of experience.
Never, ever, EVER call yourself an expert.
Call yourself a “[whatever-it-is-you-do] professional,” sure. Or “specialist” is good. But not “expert.” Yeurck!
Why? A few reasons:
- It sounds trashy. (This alone should be enough.)
- “Expert” suggests you’ve learnt all there is to know. You know 100% of your craft. But if you’re working in an everchanging environment (such as SEO) then that’s simply not true. Ever.
- Many folks (myself included) have come across “experts” who aren’t what they’re cracked up to be. As Eli says in the tweet: people labelling themselves as experts who “only have a few months experience.”
So… If you shouldn’t call yourself an expert, what can you / should you do?
Let other people do it for you.
Some people have called me an “SEO expert.” It makes me cringe and shudder like hell, but it’s cool – they said it about me. I didn’t say it about myself.
That’s the difference – and that’s all there is to it.
Let others tell others that you’re awesome and knowledgeable and an expert.
How can you do this?
- The best way (and yes, it’s the fluffiest-sounding) is to do good work. If you do good work, people will know and find out. The people you do good work for will tell others about it.
- Seek out reviews and testimonials. Put them on your website and social media (with the testimonial givers’ blessings).*
- Contribute to communities. I’ve helped out and offered advice in Facebook groups and then people have considered me an expert. It’s a great way to show off your knowledge and expertise without ‘selling yourself,’ which – let’s face it – nobody likes.
- Write content – whether it be a blog post, a landing page, a white paper, a guide, a Twitter thread, an eBook, an actual book, etc. etc. – that makes people say: “holy crap, this person is an expert!” Preferrably out loud.
* Side-note: I only say “with [their] blessings” because LinkedIn recommendations (for example) are semi-hidden (i.e. they’re public, but you need to be logged into LinkedIn to see them). Putting it on your website as well would then make it fully public. I don’t think I’ve ever known of anyone to be upset that their LinkedIn recommendation was used elsewhere like that – and so I don’t think anyone would care – but it’s something to be considerate about.
Just don’t call yourself an expert in a self-proclaimed kinda way.
And whatever you do… Whatever. You. Do.
Don’t ever call yourself a guru.
Yeuuurck!
