1. Choose an Area to Develop

You likely have a deep pool of skills already, so how do you decide which one(s) to develop? Start by considering your personal passions. What interests you most, and where do your talents naturally lie ? Choosing something that you genuinely care about, and that you have an aptitude for, will be more motivating than something you find dull or difficult to master. Then, consider the skills that matter in your industry. Which areas are valued most or will be most useful in the future? Also, look for knowledge gaps in your organization – areas that are underserved or which have the potential to make a huge difference in the long term. (Focusing on this is also a good way to "future proof" your career.) And, if you work with clients, consider which skills and techniques they value. How could developing expertise in a particular area be of benefit to them?

2. Schedule Time

Next, make time in your schedule for building your expertise.

3. Build Your Knowledge

Now it's time to start building your expertise. Find all the information that you need in order to become, and to be seen as, an expert. For instance, will you need specific qualifications? What credentials do other experts in the field have? If you need formal training, your organization may even be willing to cover the costs.

4. Share Your Knowledge

You'll need to share your expertise in order to put it to good use and to establish your personal brand and reputation. [1]

First, identify your audience: who do you need to target to make the greatest impact? Who will it most benefit you to help? And who do you most want to influence?

Then, think about how you can get in front of your audience. There are several strategies that can help you to develop your reputation as an expert. For example:

Public speaking . This is a great way to demonstrate expertise. You could, for example, present at trade conferences, business groups, board meetings, company updates, and at schools or universities.

Write a blog . Blogging allows people to get to know, like and trust you from afar. It also provides you with a potentially worldwide audience. You could start your own blog or ask to contribute to already established blogs.

Volunteer as an expert source. Writers and journalists are always looking for expert sources to interview for TV features, and for print and online articles. Offering your expertise to them can boost your reputation and generate buzz around your products and services.

Websites like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and ProfNet are a great way to locate these opportunities. You can also contact relevant media outlets directly. For example, you could offer to write a column for a trade publication, or for your local newspaper's business section.

Creating information products. Webinars, ebooks, podcasts, and online videos are all great ways to share your expertise, and they provide added value for your audience.
Helping others. There are many ways to use your expertise to help others. For instance, you could volunteer for a committee within your organization, or lend your skills and knowledge to a nonprofit that you care about.

5. Avoid the Expertise Trap

Experts must continue to learn and be open to new possibilities. The knowledge and skills that have made you successful in the past won't always be the right ones for the future. Have the humility to recognize that things change and that you can't know everything.