Here's a common question I get from people wanting to start a home business as a marketing consultant business:

"How do I position myself as an expert at marketing if I haven't actually had a chance to help anyone yet? If I'm just starting out?"

That's an excellent question.

There are several ways to position yourself as an expert in the field -- even if you're brand spanking new and don't have any clients yet.

But by far the best and easiest way is to simply provide some expert communication.

What do I mean by that?

It can actually mean a lot of different things.

Maybe that means putting on a free marketing "workshop" for another small business's clients or at the local hotel.

Maybe that means writing a free article that you write in the newspaper.

Maybe that means printing a short book or booklet, or series of free reports that demonstrate your expertise.

You can even use the local media with a press releases (a great way to tell people about your free workshop or booklet).

The key is to do something that proves you know what you're talking about and then get it out there.

In fact, if you get it out there to some local business organizations, you will all of a sudden become positioned as an expert. Nobody is going to care what you've done in the past, where you come from, how many degrees you have or even if you are an ex-con.

Seriously.

80% of marketing is simple positioning like this. Get this part down and you're practically home free as far as getting new clients and proving you can help them is concerned.