Is an expert an authority?
It is interesting how particular words suddenly are in fashion. And much more interesting is how people use them.
It makes sense to consult a dictionary to have an expert's opinion aboard.
Definition by FARLEX "The free dictionary."
Expert:
- A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject
- Having, involving, or demonstrating skill in or knowledge of a certain subject
Authority:
- An accepted source of expert information or advice
- A conclusive statement or decision that may be taken as a guide or precedent
- Power to influence or persuade resulting from knowledge or experience
- Confidence derived from experience or practice; firm self-assurance
In marketing, the term "Authority" gained fundamental importance. And like with the illusion of earning a lot of money quickly without doing anything else than a few clicks online, people started to believe that by knowing a little bit about a topic they are already an authority in their niche.
Of course, many scams out there in the world wide web supported this illusion by giving the impression that everyone can be an authority by just clicking a little bit around in the web.
Through the time, the words "Expert" and "Authority" got mixed up and today you must only have a deeper knowledge in your niche and then many people call this already being an authority.
That's wrong! An Expert is not mandatory authority, but an authority is always an expert.
As we can see in the FARLEX definition, there is not a big difference between this two terms. And if you take a closer look you see that the last two bullet points in the description of an authority are making an essential difference.
An authority has influence and persuades people through its appearance. An authority lives its power naturally, and this refers to a stable personality, self-esteem, and confidence derived from experience and practice.
I guess it's immediately clear why being an authority is important in business and therefore in the online business. As an authority, you are a credible person and people will naturally follow you and this leads to conversions!
I can only recommend: Leave the level of being an expert and develop your authority in order to grow and to create your power to succeed.
Love, Martin
Recent Comments
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Reminds me of a salutary lesson I learned a few years back on why mangers get paid more than workers.- "You don't get paid for doing things. You get paid for getting things done."
See you at the top, Greg!
Thank you for dropping by and for your comment. Always appreciated...
Love, Martin
Coming in loud and clear, Martin. So, Strive to be and authority is the best way to go. However, being and expert is next best and will still earn money.
Thank you for pointing out the difference. I'm striving to be an authority.
Much success to you, friend.
Hi, Luther!
Thank you very much for your thoughts. I totally agree to you that being an expert as next best will also result in conversions.
Leveling up increases conversions ;-)
I guess we all are striving to be an authority and more and more we become an authority as a natural result of continous learning.
Also all the best of success to you, friend.
Love, Martin
Thanks, Martin. That is good information to have and a better goal for us to achieve. MikeS
I have seen a write-up about experts and it said 95% of them are wrong most of the time. I guess it is how you look at the term.
Thank you, Mike could be my words...heheheh. While writing the blog, there was also in my mind that many people believe by reaching the knowledge of an expert in their niche that they are with this already an authority... To be an authority needs more than being an expert.
You aren't kidding there, but I meant it as a joke more than a fact! I don't know, I just read it. Obviously who wrote this was "Expert" too.
Well said indeed, but may I add that, one may be an authority or an expert on an issue or topic so long as they don't think of themselves as the ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OR EXPERT, not open to other information. Truth be known, there are too many of those in the world today that are not open to real facts and information. Well said Martin.
Thank you for your addition, Wayne. Appreciate it very much! I believe there doesn't exist a ULTIMATE AUTHORITY. I someone positions himself like this I would doubt his self-esteem because it would sound to me like an overcompensation... ;-)
Thank you again for your comment...
Love, Martin
ULTIMATE AUTHORITY? Not on this planet anyway. Thanks for the like. And Happy Christmas Martin.
Hi Carol and Colin,
help me shortly a little. English is only my second language and I don't get your comment. I appreciate so much that you took your time to read and comment so kindly don't get me wrong by asking you this favour...
Love, Martin
Thank you, Colin... I feel little shame, but I am happy to learn. We have the saying here: If you ask you are a fool for some seconds. If you never ask you are a fool for the rest of your life...
So I chose to be a fool for some seconds...lol..
Love, Martin
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Yes it seems the two terms are often interchanged and used in a manner where people think they are the same. As you point out there is a difference. It is the same as the old overused term in online markting that also got overused "guru." This too has fallen out of favor as many of these have gone the way of the dinosaur. Nowadays you have to be quick on your feet to stay up with what is going on, change is happening so quickly. Good post I enjoyed it! Cheers! Dave : )
Hi David! Thank you for your comment. Appreciate it very much...
The "guru" thing is a great addition... love it. And I hope that the term Authority will not become that much abused that it will disappear with a dull aftertaste...
Cheers, Martin