When you first join and login to BumperBrain, the simplest way to become an expert is by using the Expert Wizard which will guide you through the whole process. You can enter the Expert Wizard by clicking on the icon.

Otherwise you can become an expert by filling in both the Brief Profile and Full Profile and then clicking on the check box indicating that you want to become an expert. Additional options allow you to enter search keywords, your website and to indicate when you are generally online (and hence when you are generally available to answer an inquisitor's question).

The aim of the Brief Profile is to sell yourself, in just a couple of sentences, to potential inquisitors. It should be a short, precise and accurate description of yourself, your achievements, your skills and your experience.

The Full Profile will be shown to potential inquisitors when they are reviewing your complete details. Once again the aim is to sell yourself to potential inquisitors. In this case, you can provide a fuller picture of your skills, achievements and experience.

The Keywords you provide will be used when inquisitors use the Search function to search for experts. Enter relevant keywords and keyword phrases, separated by 'commas'.

We will link your published expert's profile to the Website URL you provide. Note however that you must have a reciprocal link back to us if you want us to link to your website.

Once you have become an expert you will have to update your Skill Set, Areas of Expertise and your Qualifications. Additional options allow you upload a CV (or a sales brochure if you are a company) and a photo to personalise your profile, and to indicate when you will be going on holiday (& whether you want us to continue to notify you while you are on holiday of questions that have been posted in your areas of expertise).

The Skill Set indicates the topics and sub-topics in which you have a skill that is of value to others. This is designed to show the extent of your knowledge, possibly including areas not covered by the BumperBrain hierarchy.

The Areas of Expertise allows you to select categories in the hierarchy in which you are an expert. By selecting a category as an area of expertise, you will be able to answer questions in that category; for that reason, your areas of expertise are subject to approval. As soon as they are approved you can begin answering questions.

The Qualifications page will allow you to list all your qualifications. This will indicate to the inquisitor the extent of your knowledge in a specific area. In addition you can upload any certificates or even give details for qualification verification. Qualifications are also subject to approval, for obvious reasons.