Even though the Internet is full of information and quality content that can be trusted, it also contains tons of useless and false information. As a writer who specializes in Internet content, part of being successful is learning how convey your expertise to possible readers. Only a handful of the most expert writers in a single category will make it to the top.
A lot of people think that their college degree will give them credibility in their writing. While it doesn’t hurt, college degrees are a lot more common than they used to be, and four extra years of school really doesn’t make you an expert at anything except possibly going to school. In my field of engineering, a Bachelors degree is only good enough to get an apprentice job that you have to hold for several years before you actually get accredited. Since you don’t have 10 more years to become an expert in a field that you want to write about, you can do certain things to lend credence to your writing now.
Specialize in your category
The first step in establishing your expertise anywhere is finding out what your area of expertise is. Even though I despise cell phones, I worked for the nationwide cell service provider Sprint, and learned quite a bit more than the average user about the devices. I have also been designing websites for several years, some of which became very successful. My current day job requires me to use a computer for long hours, testing my capabilities of critical thought every day. All of my experience gives me credibility, but the substance of my writing is what makes me an expert. I always exploited every opportunity to learn something new, and it shows when a friend calls about a problem with their cell phone or laptop and I can explain how to fix it.
Just Do it
My first gig as an online columnist was when I was 14 for a large fantasy wrestling website. Since I ran my own fantasy wrestling website, readers recognized my authority on the subject and generally praised my advice. At the moment I am a Featured Contributor in Technology for the Yahoo Contributor Network. After I was accepted into the program, one of my contemporaries doubted my expertise. To further establish myself as a capable technology writer, I designed a personal writing website in HTML to showcase both my writing and Web Design skills. If you write articles about sewing, a good idea would be to make a video showcasing your talent mending a dress. Almost every category requires real world knowledge that translates into a skill, and showcasing that skill will give you plenty of credibility if you are indeed an expert.
Extend your social reach
After working as a web developer for more than 10 years, I have made hundreds of contacts with other web developers, programmers, and users of some of my old sites. If I make a new project, I will ask advice from some of them, and sometimes additional help. What I realized is that most of those contacts would be just as qualified at writing technology articles as me if they had the desire to become a writer. Most of the writers I know aren’t as qualified to write technology pieces. Writers often just hang out with other writers, and that’s fine. To become a true expert, you need to be with your people. Other writers will read your articles, but fans of the category are your true readers, and they are going to be the ones to judge your expertise. Next time you are bored, join a forum on a topic you write about often. You may find some new fresh ideas, and you may find that you aren’t as much of an expert as you thought.