If you are looking to build your reputation online, and market yourself to potential readers as a subject matter expert, then Google Knol can help you. This piece can help you to set yourself up, and keep people coming back to you for answers.
Establishing your credibility as a subject matter expert is not an easy thing to do. Once of the best ways to do this is to get published. Getting published is not always as easy as it may seem. If you are not going to make a career of writing then finding places to get published may not be worth your time.
Luckily Google has graciously provided you with a solution. That solution is called Google Knol. Knol is a self publishing platform. It will allow you to publish articles without having to find a site. It will also allow you to make a little bit of money from your writings. If you want to learn how to use Knol to your advantage then this piece can help you to get things right the first time.
Step One: Write Well
Sure, you maybe an expert but if you can not communicate it effectively then you will never be taken seriously. If you know everything about Python but your writing lacks clarity, or is riddled with grammar and spelling errors, then it will not be taken seriously. Here are some tips for making sure that your writing is professional.
1. Spell check it, both with the software and a manual check. You should never trust the automatic spell checker alone.
2. Have a friend read it over for clarity (and a final proofread). If you can not do this, just walk away for half an hour and give it a reread.
Step Two: Build Links
Linking is an important part of the process of establishing yourself as an expert. If you have a great set of pieces that no one is reading then you will never be seen as an expert, because you will never be seen. Posting links to your pieces can be done in any number of places. Some locations that you may want to consider include:
* Your social networking profiles from sites like MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn.
* On your signature in subject matter related forums. Even one link in the signature can be an asset.
* In Twitter, think of it as a publishing coming out party.
Now that you know how to write a clear piece, and the value of Linking to it, you can get writing. Enjoy your new found marketability. In no time at all, people will be looking to you for all of their answers on your topic of choice.