We love the expertise title, for these 5 reasons:&nbsp;<ul><li>It instantly puts readers in the mindset that it’s all about sharing knowledge, and that we see them as potential experts.&nbsp;</li><li>Readers no longer have to awkwardly explain why they’re an authority. It’s right there next to their name.&nbsp;</li><li>The titles show other readers that their peers are taking part, which can motivate them to join in the discussion, too.&nbsp;</li><li>Journalists and readers alike can easily scan the comments by expertise title.&nbsp;</li><li>We can use these expertise titles to build our CRM, which brings us to point two.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Ask readers to submit an expertise title

When journalists want to quote a member’s contribution in their reporting or interview them more extensively, they verify the title with the member or the members can request verification. The benefit is that it's visible in the discussion on the platform so the readers know what type of person is contributing.

We verify their credentials

Share some ideas before you get started to you give readers the chance to be involved in your reporting. This can help you figure out where to look, what to ask, and what to make of what you find. A reader can respond and share what they know. But whenever they do, they can change the expertise title - for example, a PhD student when a reader shares about health care, or a Parent when the person shares about children.

Consider using a customer relationship management (CRM) system.<ul><li>Ask readers to submit an expertise title.&nbsp;</li><li>Verify their credentials.&nbsp;</li><li>Categorize members into expert groups.&nbsp;</li><li>Reach out to members to proof articles and invite them to join relevant conversations.&nbsp;</li></ul>

A CRM for journalists

Editors could create categories for expertise titles, such as:&nbsp;<ul><li>Anthropology&nbsp;</li><li>Architecture&nbsp;</li><li>Armed forces&nbsp;</li><li>Medical professionals&nbsp;</li><li>Natural sciences&nbsp;</li><li>Linguistics&nbsp;</li><li>Psychology&nbsp;</li><li>History&nbsp;</li></ul>

Categorize members in expert groups

The position of the Conversation Editor entails five goals:&nbsp;<ul><li>Invite members to take part in discussions they’re knowledgeable about.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Help correspondents enrich their reporting with the knowledge and experience of members.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The conversation editor can reach out to people from underrepresented groups.</li><li>The conversation editor wants to steer away from group think by organizing dissent.&nbsp;</li><li>Transform all the lessons into new features.</li></ul>

The role of the Conversation Editor

The experience and expertise of readers is a great untapped resource in journalism. However, it is available right now. All you have to do is ask.&nbsp; It wasn't easy to reach out to readers in the print era. However, in the digital age, readers can be resources if you give them the opportunity to share what they know.&nbsp;

Readers can be resources

Dutch journalism site De Correspondent is building a CRM for journalists - a new and improved version of the good old Rolodex. In this article, their cofounder describes what they’ve learned so far.

Readers can be resources

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