The way to becoming an influencer is first becoming an independent content creator. And the way to becoming an independent content creator is to become a specialist in a given subject or topic.
We’ve talked about the importance of becoming a specialist when first carving your path to becoming an influencer. But how does one become a specialist? What are the steps that go into establishing yourself as an expert in a field? And how do you build to that point?
Here, we’ll share those crucial steps, and I’ll provide some examples from my time developing into an NFL Draft analyst. I had to become a specialist in my own field, and I can help you do the same with your own passion.
5 Practical Steps for Content Creators to Become Trusted Experts in Their Field
1) Define Your Identity and Narrow Your Focus
The first step toward becoming a specialist is to define your brand identity and narrow your focus. Your passion and your desired subject matter plays a large part in defining your brand, but when solidifying your identity, you have to take it a step further, and identify how you provide value to your audience.
When I was building my brand as an NFL Draft analyst, I knew I wanted to provide scouting insight to NFL fans. But how would I provide value beyond that? I chose to narrow my focus as an objective, diagnostics-driven, informational writer who relied on imagery and prose to paint compelling pictures.
Your brand identity will be just as intricate, just as narrow, and just as important to rooting your specialization.
2) Stay Committed to Learning
Once you’ve defined your brand identity and narrowed your focus, you can embark on your journey as a content creator. But even as you produce over time, you’ll be constantly learning more and more about your field or craft. You have to consume external resources with a learning mindset, so you can truly know all there is to know.
When I was first starting out as an NFL Draft analyst, I had a lot to learn. Ironically, that was the first thing I had to learn: That my perspective was very incomplete. After I gained that awareness, I consumed resources wherever I could find them – defensive line pass-rushing drills on X, offensive line technique clips, wide receiver release footage on YouTube, film breakdowns on coverages, All-22 tape, etc.
When you consume resources with a learning mindset and don’t put a self-imposed boundary on what you can learn from, you open your mind to vast possibilities within your sphere.
3) Present Your Content in Creative Ways
As you learn, grow, and solidify your voice and presence within your brand image, you can now find unique ways to communicate and share your knowledge as a specialist. Having that knowledge first is key, but once you have it, you can put a stamp on it that is completely and entirely your own.
In my case, my stamp on my craft was the imagery I used to enrich informational descriptions, player stories, and prospect summaries. I also created a grading scale and used this to contextualize film evaluations. And on social media, I shared these offerings and communicated with the intent to inform, involve others in conversations, and encourage interactions.
Once you gain a specialist’s understanding, you can separate yourself from the pack with your unique communication and presentation.
4) Practice Consistently to Build Confidence
At this point, you’ve refined your focus, you’ve sought out resources to learn and hone your understanding, and you’ve reached a point where you can develop new and unique ways to communicate. At this stage of your specialization, the next most vital resource is this: Repetitions. Reps.
Specialization ultimately comes with experience. Over time, you’ll keep creating content. You’ll keep consuming learning resources. You’ll keep re-evaluating your understanding and your brand image. And this process of experience accumulation will help magnify your reach, impact, and confidence as a true specialist in your field.
For me, it took years. But by the time I got four years into NFL Draft analysis, I had gained the confidence in my voice and perspective to present myself as a specialist, and maintain my standing in the space.
5) Constantly Evolve and Innovate
Even as you gain the confidence that comes with experience, you shouldn’t block yourself off to further growth. That was one thing I learned on my journey. The learning process never truly stops, and if you understand that, your ceiling can reach unfathomable heights.
Keep searching for avenues to grow and innovate – whether it’s an avenue to learn, an avenue to better reach your target audience, or an avenue to better communicate your value offering and answer your audience’s call for value. Always keep an open mind to adaptations, because the true specialist – while confident – is never idle or content.
Playbook
- Define your identity and narrow your focus
- Stay committed to learning
- Present your content in creative ways
- Practice consistently to build confidence
- Constantly evolve and innovate
