To become an authority in your industry, you need to exude confidence and work extra hard. According to research, the hardest-working individuals put in an average of 1,767 hours every year. This is difficult for many to do in a world full of emails, Internet ads, and social media posts.
But positioning yourself as an authority is a ticket to unlocking career opportunities and climbing the success ladder. How exactly do you become influential within your industry? How do you stand out from the competition and become the go-to guru?
Industry experts constantly network with other professionals, and most do it on LinkedIn. With over 690 million members, Linkedin is a great platform for connecting with other business professionals and generating leads for business-to-business (B2B) companies.
Simply put, Linkedin is a great tool for professional growth. It provides you with an incredible opportunity to tell your story, share your knowledge, and become an influential leader within your industry.
Become more active on LinkedIn by engaging in relevant conversations, sharing trending articles in your industry, and posting regularly.
Contribute regularly to reputable websites to gain more visibility in your industry. Become a guest contributor for a reputable site to expand your reach and boost your credibility.
Share interesting perspectives and create valuable content for your audience to increase your odds of becoming an authority. For example, if you're a car retailer, create actionable content that positions you as a car expert. Discuss different types of vehicles in great detail–like a Nissan Rogue for sale.
Almost 16 million people listen to podcasts across the US. This means that getting featured on podcasts can help build your brand fast. Besides having massive reach, podcasts also target different niches.
You won’t have a hard time finding the right podcast that’ll help you share your expert knowledge with the world. Podcasts, like modern-day radio shows, can help you target an engaged audience that’s eager to hear what you have to say.
Whether you're an expert in digital marketing, healthcare, or public policy, find popular podcasters you can pitch to and feature on their podcasts.
Another great way of establishing authority in your industry is hosting online classes and workshops. If the idea of hosting an online class feels intimidating, begin by hosting a small virtual conference.
Make it a weekly thing and start to host bigger online events once you gain an audience. Grow your community and showcase your expertise. Hosting online events is a great way of making yourself known, and sharing industry-related insights and news can position you as a credible source. Stay updated on industry events so you can offer in-demand classes and workshops.
While this is an effective and one of the most overlooked ways of positioning yourself as an authority, it can take time to build the confidence to address a global community (full of professionals no less) and share your expertise.