Question/Problem i have regarding creating high quality, authority content - what are the solutions?

I think it's important to remember that everyone is always learning. Even those "experts" that have spent a long time learning something or have had a lot of experience with a certain topic are also still learning.

There's always something that you know more than someone else. There's always something that you can teach to others - even if you don't consider yourself an expert.

Those experts that you are talking about had to start somewhere. It's also important to realize that no one's asking you to pretend to be an expert - or pretend to be something you're not. All you have to do is share experiences and interact with people in a way that is helpful and/or entertaining.

For example, as you say you like fitness, let's say that you wanted to research something about how to prevent muscle aches when exercising or working out. All you would have to do is get out there and look through the best sources that you can find, make notes and put together an article, blog post, report (anything) that is a result of that research.

Someone that is busy with their day-to-day life and likes to keep fit won't have time to go and look for all the best sources related to their problem. They need somewhere to go that details everything that you need to solve their problem. What they want is content that is summarized in a fast and easy-to-digest format. It's your job as a marketer to put that information in front of them. You can explain where your sources of information and how you weighed up the best ways to prevent muscle ache. You can even open a discussion for them to share their best ways.

You could also position yourself as a person that is learning. You can just as easily get a following where you can show people your progress in learning a particular skill or mastering a certain art. You don't have to pretend that you know everything, you can just share your experience in trying to reach your goal.

For example, let's say that you were trying out a new supplement. You could write a case study that details how the supplement has worked for you. You can include when you started taking it, how much you take, any effects that you noticed, whether there have been any improvements - what your thoughts are about the product etc. You would still include an affiliate link, of course. That would still be a very useful resource to people - and you don't need a degree to help people.

I think that, when talking about creating quality content for websites and blogs, it's best to look at as though you're trying to provide something useful. Google want to make sure that the websites at the top of their SERPS are actually useful to people. If you think that your post is genuinely useful and helps people you should be just fine.

I think we've all got a lot to offer - even if it's sometimes difficult to realize what that is.

I hope this helps a little. It would be great to hear other warriors' ideas on this

Following on the weightlifting example... You may not have a degree in Sport Science, but you do have a passion for it. And, like Sharon said, your point of view can be of real value to weightlifting newbies (or even people who don't understand all of the ins and outs of sport science and need someone to put it into layman's terms!)

You can (and should!) research until you're blue in the face (after all, even true "experts" never stop learning about their craft!), but your real value will come in the form of your personality, backed up by solid facts and figures. Even though you're pulling facts and figures from other places, you're putting your voice behind it in your article/blog post/ebook/etc - and that's what readers are going to appreciate and come back for.

One piece of advice - be very careful with your research sources. Unfortunately, many of the blogs/article directories out there are full of mis-information that's just being regurgitated around the web. Find quality sources in your niche (or even subscribe to magazine and journals on the subject), and stick with them.

You don't have to be a top authority on the subject to be able to deliver value to people who know zilch in your niche.

With some research to check your facts are correct, and using what you already know, you could create great content that people would find useful. Your audience isn't going to be other pro-bodybuilders. They will go to people who have even more authority in the field.

But weight loss and fitness is such a HUGE market, that there are plenty of people who know next to nothing when it comes to nutrition and the basics of what happens in the body.

Bottom line: Don't worry so much. Just focus on delivering value and sharing what YOU know and give your own take on the info and you'll be more than fine for panda and for creating a high-value high authority site.