Let's face it: Customers have their B.S. detectors on full alert

when shopping online as they don't want to get ripped off by

some company they've never heard of. What does this mean for

you? Closeup portrait of confident happy business people in

a rowIt means you need to let your audience know about your

expertise. Positioning yourself as an expert enhances your

credibility, and it helps customers feel at ease when doing

business with you.

Of course, this leads to the ultimate question: How do you

position yourself as an expert? It's easier than you might

think. Check out these 7 tips for becoming an authority in

your field.

1. Blog your heart out - The best (and worst) thing about

blogging is that it gives everyone a voice. Of course, with

so many blogs crowding the internet, you need to do

something special to really stand out and make your target

audience notice you. This means not writing posts that

simply repeat what everyone else in your niche is talking

about. It means offering a unique perspective, and

incorporating your personality into your writing.

In addition to starting and promoting your own blog, you

should also seek out guest blogging opportunities whenever

possible. Posting on other blogs elevates your profile, and

it also acts as an endorsement from the blogger who hosts

your content.

2. Build a social networking presence - As you read this,

conversations relevant to your expertise are taking place on

social networks like Twitter and LinkedIn. Adding something

thoughtful to these conversations can go a long way to

creating the perception that you're an authority in your

field. Just make sure you don't shoot yourself in the foot

by taking the bull-in-a-china-shop approach where you try to

dominate the conversation and make it all about you.

3. Host a webinar - If you don't know what it is, a webinar

is basically an online seminar. Webinars are fairly easy to

setup, and it's a great way to share your knowledge with the

world. Audiences view the speakers at webinars as industry

experts, and they'll be eager to listen to every word you

say. Of course, make sure you prepare an excellent

presentation that truly showcases how knowledgeable you

really are.

4. Collect and post testimonials - So far, all of the tips

I've offered have had to do with blowing your own horn.

While that's a necessary part of positioning yourself as an

expert, it can only take you so far. Sometimes, people need

to hear of your expertise from a nonbiased third party.

That's where testimonials can help. Customer testimonials

are endorsements from satisfied clientele that let others

know of your expertise. Testimonials are especially helpful

in enhancing your credibility with potential customers.

5. Write an eBook - Why waste time pitching your book to

publishers when you can just publish it yourself online?

eBooks serve a wide range of purposes, from helping to build

your email list by offering it as a free download to

increasing your profile online. Writing an eBook also helps

build your authority in your niche. After all, if you have

your own book, you have to know a lot about the subject,

right?

6. Use answer websites - Yahoo! Answers and LinkedIn are

just two websites where people submit questions to the

community in hopes of getting a great answer. Search these

websites for questions relevant to your area of knowledge.

Don't try to take shortcuts. A well-thought out, unique

answer is the best way to gain recognition on these

websites.

7. Contribute to industry publications - No matter which

industry you're in, chances are there are trade journals and

magazines devoted to it. Spend some time coming up with

compelling ideas for articles that would be a good fit in

these publications, and pitch your ideas to the editor.

Authoring a piece in a leading trade journal can gain you

respect from your peers and others interested in your field.

I'm sure there are more great tips for positioning yourself

as an expert.