How to write without feeling like a FRAUD!

elaine drennan · #1 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 03:37 PM

Hello everyone,

I got an email from someone recently who was wondering how he could write articles or blog posts as though he is an expert - when he is only relatively new to his field.

I thought I would share my reply with you:

Quote:

...here is the good news!

Even if you are just a beginner in your field, you do know more than someone who has absolutely no knowledge in the field. As a teacher, you just need to be one step ahead of your pupils.

Only write about what you do know though – don’t try to give the impression that you know more than you actually do.

Start out writing for people who know LESS than you do. You can be an expert at teaching the BASICS.

You will probably be BETTER at writing articles geared towards beginners than someone who has been around for a long time - because you can clearly remember what confused YOU most. You won’t write “over someone’s head” – you wouldn’t even know how to!

But that will not be the case for ever. Your expertise will evolve given time. In the meantime, don’t forget that there is a wealth of information just waiting for you…

Where is it?

On the internet, of course! Most of man’s accumulated knowledge is now available online. If you don’t consider yourself an expert in the field you are writing about, you can change that almost overnight if you are just willing to RESEARCH.

Pretty soon you will be telling YOUR pupils how to write article after article. And they will believe you – after all to them you are the expert!

Hope this helps someone...

Elaine

sequencehosting · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 04:17 PM

Really good post.

I agree I think it's best to write what you know otherwise at some point it will be clear you don't know as much as you make out then that can have a big effect on your website.

I also think no matter how much you know about a subject there is always a auidence willing to listen (read

).

Coder · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 04:20 PM

That's good advice Elaine. Some newcomers have the misconception that you need to be an instant expert, in order to be like all the other so-called "gurus".

Beyceo · #4 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 09:32 PM

I am starting my blog out with basics as well and I am still learning. My blog is still helpful because although it is some basic info it puts all the info on one page. If people dont have to surf around and piece together info they may be more inclined to visit your site because it is all right there. That is why I love this site because it is all right her for me instead of searching around. The other issue is the creativity and the presentation. If it is unique and fresh it will attract people.

sgtmac66 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 12:51 PM

I would say that your response is excellent advice! Being an old construction hand, I have a wealth of knowledge that most people would not have. Through research, I have run into people, who I suspect are not knowledgeable in the fields, but know more than I, on how to present it properly.

Still, whether your are knowledgeable or not, if you present something to your viewership, but cannot respond knowledgeably, they will quickly lose respect and leave. The idea, is to either know what you are talking about through experience-which is the best way, or research it enough, so that you know how to respond to an question, about the subject you are writing about.

BreLove · #6 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coder

That's good advice Elaine. Some newcomers have the misconception that you need to be an instant expert, in order to be like all the other so-called "gurus".

Guilty as charged

James · #7 (**permalink**) 09-20-2009, 12:04 AM

Excellent points, elaine.

When I read the title, "How to write without feeling like a FRAUD!" my first thought was that the answer is simply, "Do not write thinking or feeling like a FRAUD!"

Even in academic circles, there is an old representation that if you will just read one book on a subject you will be better informed that most people you meet and if you read one book a week for a year your can present yourself as the world's authority without worrying that you will ever meet anyone who knows more.

Writing for the internet, there are two guidelines I would seriously give anyone asking me such a question.

1. You should always write only what you know, even if you have only known it for a minute or two! (This requires learning how to separate what you factually know from what you think may be true in your own mind.)

2. You should never try to convince other people you are a genius, an authority or a guru; they will decide for themselves based on the value of your stuff whether you are any good or not. They are unlikely to be swayed by your opinion of yourself.

jazzman · #8 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 12:08 AM

Elaine,

I love your explanation that it's okay to write about a topic as long as it's about something you do know about and not trying to write about something that, at this time, that may not be an area of your expertise.

Sometimes we get caught up in trying to impress other people because we think if we say we are not familiar with something they may think less of us, thus in this situation, we think, oh I'll write about that even though I'm not that familiar with it, which as someone mentioned can lead to more issues down the road if people start thinking you do not know what your writing about ... possible real credibility issues.

Sal

SouthamptonAngel · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 09:27 AM

It's a good basic point that you make.

It can sometimes feel strange writing on a subject if you wouldn't even yet consider yourself to be an "expert" but you're right - in all probability, there will be people out there who know a lot less than you do!

jazzman · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthamptonAngel

It's a good basic point that you make.

It can sometimes feel strange writing on a subject if you wouldn't even yet consider yourself to be an "expert" but you're right - in all probability, there will be people out there who know a lot less than you do!

Good point SouthamptonAngel ... thanks.

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