3 Strategies to Position Yourself as The Authority in Your Field

In a world full of cluttered marketing messages ranging from social media feeds, internet ads, email marketing, and the conventional media of TV, radio, and print, how do you stand out in your industry?

Competition is no longer limited to giant corporations with mind-staggering marketing budgets. You're also competing with other professionals in your field, small businesses, and medium enterprises in your industry. I bet you've been advised to position yourself as the authority in your industry and work on your personal branding so that you can attract more clients, raise your rates, and have a consistent supply of opportunities coming your way.

When you earn the right to become an authority, you stop chasing clients, you stop chasing deals, you stop giving discounts, and you stop chasing stages or platforms that will allow you to share your knowledge with your niche market because opportunities will knock on your door when you're the authority in your field.

"There is always room at the top." - Daniel Webster

When you position yourself as your industry's authority, you will compete on value, not price. When potential clients need advice, you will be the trusted advisor to help them solve their problems. With no competition in your niche, you no longer have to make discounts to get those deals because your clients will be willing to pay a premium price to the one and only person who can deliver value at the highest level.

I have always looked for industry authorities to help me solve my business problems and coach me to develop my skills. The results I have obtained from their help were always much bigger than the investment I've made in paying for their fees. In the process, I was able to crack the authority code, and it worked like magic in every niche I've been in, ranging from real estate, book publishing, book marketing, and sales funnels. It entails investing in yourself long-term using the strategies shared in this article.

1. Publish Your Book 

One of the most strategic ways to grow proper authority is to publish a book. Your industry experience has probably made you discover innovative solutions to achieve faster, bigger, and more effective results with the least investment of resources. These insights and experiences, if shared with other people in your industry through a book, will help them optimize their ways of doing business and get similar results.

You've probably shared your approach with friends, family members, and colleagues who have all experienced improvement in their own businesses due to your advice. This is valuable intellectual property that could be published in a book and shared with a wider audience to help them achieve better results in their businesses or gigs.

With the evolution of Amazon and other online book retailers, publishing a book has never been easier. You no longer need to wait for a publisher to help you publish your book or audiobook. Amazon, the largest online retailer, has made it possible to self-publish your book (in paperback, ebook, hardcover, and even audiobook formats) and reach its largest client base.

Publishing a book not only establishes your credibility but also serves as a tangible representation of your legacy and achievements. It allows you to share your knowledge on an international scale, positioning you as a guru in your field.

Resource: Need help self-publishing your book and becoming a bestselling author? Schedule a strategy call.

2. Create Your Online Presence 

If you consider your published book as the launchpad for your personal branding as the authority in your industry, your online presence is the rocket. The ideas you've shared in your book are always evolving, so why not keep on sharing this evolution with your audience through your blog, newsletter, website, LinkedIn, or any other combination of relevant social media platforms?

Don't get overwhelmed! You don't need all those platforms for your niche or industry. Brainstorm which platforms work best for your audience and research where your competitors are active. Start with the most important one or two platforms, then move to the next only when you feel you've mastered being active on those platforms. Remember, you will be building a community and a following, and your audience is what validates that you are someone worth listening to. Proper authorities have an audience of raving fans who follow them.

Check whether the content on your website, newsletter, blog, and/or LinkedIn posts is generating solutions for your industry and helping others solve their problems. This will build trust with your audience and establish your credibility as an authority figure.

3. Speak at Industry Events

Public speaking is a powerful way to position yourself as an authority in your field. By sharing your insights and experiences at conferences, workshops, and seminars, you can reach a wider audience and establish your credibility.

When you speak at industry events, you have the opportunity to share your knowledge and provide positive life advice to others in your field. This not only helps others but also reinforces your position as a guru and thought leader.

Remember, becoming an authority in your field is a journey that requires dedication and strategic action. By publishing a book, creating a strong online presence, and engaging in public speaking, you can build a legacy that will have a lasting impact.

Resource: Schedule a strategy call to kick off your media presence

Final Words of Caution!

As you become more visible, you need always to be an authentic thought leader. Don't feed into gimmicks or scams!

You will see your competitors having some wins here and there just because they are communicating quick-fix gimmicks, which are probably scams. You will never become an authority if you are planning to communicate similar quick-fix methods. The media will not align their brand with someone who has a bad reputation or who uses gimmicks in their marketing and branding.

Follow the 3 strategies outlined in this article and avoid shortcuts. I know it can be seductive to buy into the quick fixes, but it will destroy your chances of commanding the authority position in your industry. Playing the long game is hard. It takes years of dedication, resilience, and deep inner strength. This is why trustworthy authorities are rare. Most people can't remain on course with their integrity.