No one is born an expert. If you want to become a Subject Matter Expert (or SME) in the cannabis industry, you have to start somewhere. With a passion for a specific subject and a desire for continuous learning, you should consider an SME role.
It not only increases your value but also bolsters your company’s value in the market. Are you wondering: What is a subject matter expert? And what do they do? A subject matter expert has a deep knowledge of a specific process, function, or technology (or, a combination of all three).
An SME is considered an authority on a certain topic – not only educated on the subject but can share their knowledge with other interested parties. This information is important to your company because it gives it a competitive edge. Here’s how you can become a cannabis industry subject matter expert.
Build A Foundation Of Knowledge
To become an expert, you must first be a novice. Start by educating yourself on the subject of interest. You won’t be able to fake it until you make it on this one. You’ll be sharing information with other cannabis industry professionals in the field. Therefore, you MUST know the topic if you want to be recognized as a subject matter expert.
Continue Educating Yourself
It’s one thing to have majored in a particular area, but you need to know the latest happenings in the space to have a shot at becoming an SME.
Attend cannabis conferences, participate in Twitter chats, and subscribe to industry publications. You have to constantly stay updated with the latest information.
Try Out Your Ideas
To make it as an SME, you should have the ability to come up with your ideas in the space. The only way to do this effectively (and not get busted as a fraud) is to completely immerse yourself in the subject. Make sure you test out these ideas before you advise others to put them into practice.
Participate On Social Media
You will be able to follow other authorities on social media and follow relevant hashtags to keep a pulse on the subject. Also, leverage social media to market your expertise.
Get involved in Twitter Chats or tweets along with live-webcasts. Start by sharing reputable cannabis industry information on the subject before interjecting your opinions.
Share Your Subject Matter Expertise
Beyond social media, you can start a blog or a podcast to share your cannabis knowledge and ideas regularly. Take advantage of technology to get your message out. A cannabis-related YouTube channel is another option. If you’re not ready to commit to regular content, try hosting or co-hosting a one-off webcast. Be open to questions so others can start to trust your information.
Be A Decisionmaker
You’ll have to work your way up to this one, but real-life practice will be the best continuing education you can get. If you have the authority in your cannabis industry job to affect the outcomes of major decisions, you’re on your way to SME stardom.
Being an influencer will strengthen your value as a subject matter expert – and others will notice.
Be Genuine
Your company may recognize your knowledge is valuable to gain recognition in the market or even garner more sales interest. But, to remain a go-to on your cannabis training topics of choice, you need to remain neutral.
You want to be looked at as a true authority on the cannabis subjects and not someone who is easily persuaded by the goods or services your current company is selling. Your reputation is of utmost importance.
Let us know what you think.
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