Isn't clear whether you want to be an expert in your trade or the small graphic design app biz you started. First question is, is there demand for an expert in

Isn't clear whether you want to be an expert in your trade or the small graphic design app biz you started. First question is, is there demand for an expert in the area? Second question is, is the trade area affected much by locality? For example, if I need a jquery expert, I might not care if he/she is in Warsaw, chennai, SF, or London. Most people seek out experts in a field because they have a difficult problem in that space, and often come across them in social engagements like hackerspaces, conferences, and probably more often by word of mouth referrals. Experts build notoriety by solving those problems, and making well known that they solve those problems (publications, blogs, presentations at conferences/etc).