SOWPub Small Business Forums - Are You a GP or a Specialist In Your Web Business

For many of us running an online business, we are often required to give expert advice to our customers every now and then.

Although we may be an authority in a particular area or discipline, there will be occasions when we are asked for help and advice in interrelated fields. For example, I help people in the subject of ebook creation and marketing. However, this area also requires a broad understanding in many other Web areas. The related areas of web site design, graphics, sales psychology, copy writing, the numerous ways of offline as well as online promotions, hardware or software usage and a host of other arts and sciences that encompass this growing field to be successful.

Being a “jack of all trades” can often lead to personal information overload if one is to keep abreast of the fast changing pace at which technology and new methods are moving on the Internet.

The best way to handle these situations is to think of yourself as a “medical general practitioner” or like your local family doctor rather than a specialist.

Let me explain....

When you are feeling sick and you visit your local doctor for advice, sometimes, he or she won't know or be able to diagnose exactly what is the cause. However General Practitioners, are taught to take the best possible course of action in your best interests.

Often the doctor will require a second opinion and refer you to a specialist more experienced in the area relating to your ailment.
Most patients understand this and do not think any less of their doctors because of this action.

Your local doctor is an expert and trained professional in general medical practice but cannot possibly be an expert in all the branches of human medical science at the same time.
Nor can anyone in the same light running a Web based business.

You can apply this same methodology when customers seek your advice in your own Web business. Intelligent entrepreneurs and experts know where to obtain specialized knowledge when they need it. (This forum is a good example of a mastermind group).

So don't feel that you have to know or possess all the knowledge in your own brain in areas akin to your field of endeavor. As Napoleon Hill recommended in his classic book; “Think and grow rich”.
Form a mastermind group of people you can refer to when you need to consolidate your thinking or get expert advice.

Taking this one step further, you can refer your clients to this carefully chosen group of yours.

This can work to your advantage. Others you have referred business to will return the favor by sending their customers your way when they feel that you are the better “expert” for the job to handle their own customers needs.

Many times, I have referred my own clients to others in this way and they are thankful for pointing them in the right direction. Rather than pretend you have the answer to their problem, supplying inaccurate information, which may only lead them astray, instead you gain their respect for doing this.

You don’t have to be a specialist in every facet of Web know how.
Simply begin today to build your own Web alliances, master expert group and referral database of knowledge and you will have many more happy customers coming to you seeking your wisdom and help.

Warmest Regards

Ricky Higgs

Sell Your Brain On The Net