Get paid to tell people what you think. Indulge in shameless self promotion. Work at home or while
boss isn't looking. Promote your web site and business. Get noticed on internet for free!"An expert is a guy that traveled more than an hour to get to job." - Anonymous
If it is true that further from client you are more of an expert you are, then internet is for you. And if you really do know what you are talking about, opportunity is even greater and certainly things will work out better for client! This article describes 'expert' web sites and how you can promote yourself on internet by providing expert advice and services on line.
Expert web sites are meeting places, almost bulletin boards, where members (aka unsuspecting public) can meet experts (you, me, and my 2nd year of law school son) to get advice. The sites make money from advertising and from a share of revenue expert charges for her consultation. We know who unsuspecting public is. But definition of an expert on these web sites is generally just someone who says they are an expert. I've signed up as an expert in a couple of places and no one has checked my quals. In fact disclaimer for members generally includes following kind of language: vendor 'does not have control over quality, timing or legality of services actually delivered by Experts'. In words of a carnival barker, 'you pays your money and you takes your chances'.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing - who could guarantee quality or exercise control of all of advice passed out over internet? Who would want to? What you must recognize is that credibility is an issue you need to seriously address in these systems. You will get a reputation so you want to think carefully about kind of, and range of, service you provide.
If your expertise is writing press releases, selecting after-dinner wines, writing software code, or otherwise producing a clear-cut deliverable, and you have work product to point to, I think these systems are worth exploring. If you can demonstrate what you do, draw a box around your service AND make a profit, you will probably have happy customers. On other hand, if you can't draw a box around your service client expectations may get out of hand and you risk disappointing client and loosing money yourself.
