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A Lesson on Experts from "Joe Schmo"

by Michael Oksa
24 replies
Hi Warirors,

I was lucky enough to see an excellent lesson on being a perceived expert. All too often, we worry about not knowing enough, but this fake reality show from a few years ago may change your thinking.

A little background.

The "Joe Schmo" show was basically a fake reality show, with a twist. One of the guys (Matt, the schmo) believed everything was real. Everybody else was acting a role.

One of the actresses (Kristin Wiig) was playing a counselor named Dr. Pat. At one point Matt became very upset about a situation in the house, to the point of almost losing control. So, what did he do? He went to the one person in the house who could help him, Dr. Pat.

In real life, Kristin Wiig was concerned about offering help to Matt, but on the show things played out well. Dr. Pat asked Matt a few questions and had him do some phony breathing exercises.

As you may have guessed, Matt calmed down and felt much better after his session with Dr. Pat.

What does this have to do with being a perceived expert in some aspect of internet marketing? Here's what I was thinking as I was watching the show this weekend...

1. Dr. Pat didn't know much, but she knew enough to suggest something, something that worked.

2. Matt believed Dr. Pat WAS the expert.

3. Matt took her advice and found the solution he was EXPECTING.

4. It could have been the placebo effect.

5. Even if it WAS a placebo effect, Matt still felt better. That's what counts.

Now I'm not suggesting we should all pretend to know things we don't. However, we shouldn't wait until we know everything (that willnever happen). Instead, all we need to know is enough.

What is enough?

A little more than the people looking to us as experts.

So, don't sit around waiting until everything is just right. As long as you know enough to not send people down the wrong path and can truly help them in some way, then go for it!

All the best,
Michael
#experts #joe schmo #lesson
  • Profile picture of the author VanessaB
    Michael,
    That's a great post. No matter who you are, there will always be someone who knows more than you, and someone who knows less than you.

    -Dani
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Just to play devil's advocate here....there are certain professions that inherently lend to skill that can't really be 'faked'....

      Would this had worked if, say, Dr. Pat was playing a surgeon?

      EDIT: I do realize the application of this to internet marketing, though

      With that said, do you (anyone) think that people will only look up to you, and seek recommendations from you, if you have alot of "money" made, from your endeavors? Unfortunately....because of the weight of financial achievements, I have a sneaking suspicion that alot of people fabricate or over exaggerate their earnings...thoughts?
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        Just to play devil's advocate here....there are certain professions that inherently lend to skill that can't really be 'faked'....

        Would this had worked if, say, Dr. Pat was playing a surgeon?

        EDIT: I do realize the application of this to internet marketing, though

        With that said, do you (anyone) think that people will only look up to you, and seek recommendations from you, if you have alot of "money" made, from your endeavors? Unfortunately....because of the weight of financial achievements, I have a sneaking suspicion that alot of people fabricate or over exaggerate their earnings...thoughts?
        LOL

        That thought also crossed my mind. Perhaps much of IM is like therapy, I don't know. Your point is a fair one, but I'm also glad you also saw the main point.

        ~Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Carl Kelly
    Good point, Michael, and a good illustration.

    To paraphrase one of my favorite David Mamet films, "House of Games," his is why con games ("confidence games") work. Not because YOU give the con man your confidence, but because HE gives you HIS.

    You know more than you think. You can share more than you know.

    I once attended a day-long seminar that started with the speaker coming on stage and stating: "I'm not going to tell you a single thing today that you don't already know. If, based on that, anyone wants to leave now, I will be happy to have my assistants at the back of the room provide an immediate refund, no hard feelings. Those who decide to stay, however, will re-discover a lot of very useful things they probably haven't thought about in some time".
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  • Profile picture of the author petelta
    HAH, I forgot about that show. It was pretty funny.

    It's easy to position yourself as an expert when you know just a little more information about a subject then the rest of the public. Learn as you teach to keep it up.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    The question is more this: "Do you spew knowledge at people, or do you paint pictures, jog their memories and actually TEACH them... ultimately do you inspire them to ACTION"? Sales performance in an offline internet sales organization for instance... isnt driven by web designers. Its driven by sales people who are moved by money and emotion.

    Without those there are no web design jobs. So teaching isnt nearly as good as Inspiring.

    If a person is inspired enough they can figure out most things on their own

    Edit:

    A good question to ask ourselves is "What do I inspire"?.
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Here is my question: Do you think it is MORE difficult to establish oneself in a certain niche, as opposed to another? Thoughts? Experiences?
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Carl Kelly
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        Here is my question: Do you think it is MORE difficult to establish oneself in a certain niche, as opposed to another? Thoughts? Experiences?
        Each niche is different.
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        Here is my question: Do you think it is MORE difficult to establish oneself in a certain niche, as opposed to another? Thoughts? Experiences?
        My thought is that you can enter niches at different points, and each successive point requires more knowledge. The further along the continuum, the more experience you need.

        ~Michael
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

          My thought is that you can enter niches at different points, and each successive point requires more knowledge. The further along the continuum, the more experience you need.

          ~Michael
          Indeed. The experience you need is always one step ahead of the experience you have. Thus it is a need that requires. Experience is the by product of progressing.

          " Experience is good but its value diminishes with time it take to be aquired. That time devours a mans years... usually it's touted by old men who nod wisely and speak stupidly... the end finds it wasted on dead men".

          "so how will I proceed without the value of experience... simple, nature has already provided me with instinct far greater than any beast in the field..." Og mandino. I love him.
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          • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
            I think, based on experience, that the best way to establish yourself in (any) niche, as an expert, is to align yourself with someone who is, or becoming successful. Personally, I would recommend to people, rather than trying to do it all yourself, align yourself, for instance, with bloggers who haven't yet "made it yet", but are "emerging"....

            This delves even a bit deeper. Check out Alexa.com, Quantcast.com, and Compete.com, and see if it appears like their blog is growing. Take detail notes of what exactly they are doing to brand themselves. Align yourself with them by, not necessarily sucking up, but providing consistent, quality comments to their blog....you WILL get noticed. Provide value to others, and they'll take notice.
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          • Profile picture of the author BPIcash
            i agree, good thoughts. this also applies to economics and prices. when i was taking economics a few years ago i was told the definition of price is, the agreement between a buyer and a seller on a product, THATS IT! nothing else outside or surrounding.

            example my brother. he would buy stuff on craigs list like a phone or car electronics for like lets say $75. He would wait a few days then re sell it on clist for $200 or more. Or go to school to sell it for that price. Its not his fault the buyer didnt find the cheaper buy. And it is not my brothers job to tell people he got it for $75 or where to find it for $75.

            If the buyer wanted equipment/phone for $300, they are happy and in love with my brother's $200 sale to them. again, outside factors dont matter. not a scam not a rip off.

            something my mom could never understand...
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            • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
              Originally Posted by BPIcash View Post

              i agree, good thoughts. this also applies to economics and prices. when i was taking economics a few years ago i was told the definition of price is, the agreement between a buyer and a seller on a product, THATS IT! nothing else outside or surrounding.

              example my brother. he would buy stuff on craigs list like a phone or car electronics for like lets say $75. He would wait a few days then re sell it on clist for $200 or more. Or go to school to sell it for that price. Its not his fault the buyer didnt find the cheaper buy. And it is not my brothers job to tell people he got it for $75 or where to find it for $75.

              If the buyer wanted equipment/phone for $300, they are happy and in love with my brother's $200 sale to them. again, outside factors dont matter. not a scam not a rip off.

              something my mom could never understand...
              This is called being a capitalist. You're right, it's not his responsibility to actively look for higher prices to purchase at. He did his researched....considered what he could earn from selling....and, purchased at a 'lower' price. To that person $75 may have sounded like a great deal.
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  • Profile picture of the author Derwin
    This is good post given by you and it does not matter who are you. I appreciate you this great effort.You have put a lot of effort in it.You have given nice information about every thing as being an expert.I thank you for this and waiting for more informative posts from you.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    I asked someone how they got double the price and quadruple the profit from selling the same thing I was... they said "I just tell them that this is my price, so thats what they pay".
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Does anyone else having any specific strategies or methods that they use to help develop themselves as an expert/authority in their chosen niche? Come on....I know some out there have some serious goodies...
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        Does anyone else having any specific strategies or methods that they use to help develop themselves as an expert/authority in their chosen niche? Come on....I know some out there have some serious goodies...
        I suppose the obvious is to participate in forums about your topic, and speak with authority. Not in an arrogant, know-it-all fashion, but as someone who is informed and has something to offer.

        There are all kinds of ways, but at the same time, I don't want to scare people off by making them think they have to do certain things.

        You are already an expert at something.

        Establishing yourslef as an expert is beneficial in another way. It will help motivate you to keep learning more in your field.

        All the best,
        Michael
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        "Ich bin en fuego!"
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        • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
          Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

          I suppose the obvious is to participate in forums about your topic, and speak with authority. Not in an arrogant, know-it-all fashion, but as someone who is informed and has something to offer.

          There are all kinds of ways, but at the same time, I don't want to scare people off by making them think they have to do certain things.

          You are already an expert at something.

          Establishing yourslef as an expert is beneficial in another way. It will help motivate you to keep learning more in your field.

          All the best,
          Michael
          Michael,

          I completely agree that one has to speak (type/write) with authority and confidence. Beyond that, there are very strategic and tactical ways that one can establish themselves as an authority. In order to ensure that effort isn't wasted, and that one gets the most "bang for their buck", I would highly encourage people to do a good deal of research.

          As I had mentioned earlier, research up and coming bloggers. Don't look for bloggers who have MADE it in your niche already, but, rather, ones that are working their tail off....but, not just working their tail off....actually getting somewhere. Analyze their interactions with their community, as well as, the growth and development of their site. If you don't see positive upward trends, that indicate that this person will be a key playing authority one day, don't waste your time. Invest in people like you would a stock, by forming strategic relationships.

          In order to develop and reinforce those relationships, continually offer them something of value, whether it be through providing a service to them free of charge, or consistently commenting on their blog. Get people to KNOW you...when they KNOW you, they'll trust you.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
        Hi Michael,

        If you haven't watched these two vids before, you'll get a real kick out of them.

        They speak exactly to what you are talking about if one has the ability to read between the lines as I know you do. This is a fascinating study in perceived expertise and highly entertaining, as well. Enjoy.

        Click the text at the top of the boxes to access the links...(the boxes don't show the vids )




        ~Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Yeah, be an expert.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Excellent videos, Bill. Thanks!

    It wasn't just that the people he ran into made the right assumptions, it's also that he had to stay one step ahead.

    At some times it seemed as though things fel in his lap to help him get ahead, and at other times he had serious motivation to stay ahead. Whether the situations were thrust upon him or he took advantage of them, there is no doubt that he was perceived as the role he was playing.

    All the best,
    Michael
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