Establishing Yourself as an Authority

Positioning yourself as an authority in your niche is the only way you’ll be able to secure enough speaking gigs to make a living.

But how exactly do you go about doing that?

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While you could rely on your paid speaking engagements to help build your profile, it could take years before you’re viewed as the “go-to” expert in your field.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process.

So, with that in mind, let’s look at some of the most effective (and fastest) methods for establishing yourself as an authority in your speaking niche.

1.Start Blogging (and Guest Blogging)

If you want to be seen as an authority in your field, you need to start publishing content that showcases thought leadership, delivers value, and demonstrates expertise. And there’s no better way to do that than through blogging.

Not only will well-written blogs help you position yourself as an expert, but they will also give you something to share with your audience when you’re speaking. After all, if you can’t back up your claims with evidence, you’re not going to be taken seriously as an authority.

The problem with blogging these days is it takes weeks, months, and even years, for Google and other search engines to take your website seriously. Enter guest blogging. Writing blog posts on other people’s already-established sites is a great way to get your name and your work in front of a whole new audience. 

And, because you’re piggybacking off the authority of another site, you’ll be able to gain traction much faster than if you were starting from scratch.

2. Leverage Social Media

Another online content medium you should be maximizing is social media. It’s yet another avenue to showcase your thought leadership, build a relationship with your audience, and grow your authority.

There are several ways you can use social media to your advantage. For starters, you can use it to share your blog posts and other pieces of content, helping increase their reach and get them in front of a larger audience.

You can also use social media to engage with other experts in your field. This will not only help you build relationships, but it will also give you the opportunity to learn from (and be inspired by) other thought leaders. Plus, it associates your name with theirs, which can only help to boost your authority.

3. Carry Out a Case Study

One of the best ways to establish your authority is to show, not tell. In other words, don’t just tell your audience that you’re an expert – prove it.

By carrying out a case study within your chosen industry, you can do just that. A case study is basically a detailed account of how you helped solve a problem for a client. This could be anything from increasing sales to improving mental well-being.

The point is, if you’re in the business of selling coaching, consulting, or any other kind of professional services off the back of your speaking gigs, a case study is the perfect way to show off your skills and expertise.

Not only will it prove that you know what you’re talking about, but it will also give your audience actionable insights they can use to improve their own businesses or lives.

4. Get Featured in the Media

If you really want to position yourself as an authority in your field, getting featured in the media is one of the best things you can do.

Whether it’s an article in a major publication, an interview on a popular podcast, or even just a mention in an industry-specific blog, being featured in the media will help raise your profile and get your name out there.

The great thing about getting media coverage is that it’s like having a stamp of approval from an external source. When someone sees that you’ve been featured in a well-respected publication, they’re much more likely to take you seriously as an authority.

5. Write a Book (or ebook)

Nothing says established authority more than being a published or even best-selling author in your field.

If you’re serious about positioning yourself as a thought leader, writing a book is one of the best things you can do. Not only will it showcase your expertise, but it will also give you a tremendous amount of credibility.

Of course, writing a book takes time, which you might not have in the early days of your journey. In that case, you could always write an ebook instead.

While an ebook might not have the same weight as a full-blown book, it’s still a great way to show your audience that you know what you’re talking about. Plus, it’s a lot easier and quicker to produce, so you can get it out there much faster.

Whether you write a book or an ebook, make sure to promote it as much as possible. That way, you’ll maximize its impact and get it in front of as many people as possible.

Establishing Yourself as an Authority Might Not Take as Long as You Think

While it takes time to build authority, it doesn’t necessarily have to take years. If you focus on the right things and put in the hard work, you can see results much sooner than you might think.

So if you’re serious about becoming an authority in your field, start taking action today. The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll start seeing results.

If you want to learn more about becoming an authority and other ways to land high-paying speaking gigs, check out the Charli Jane Speakers Club. Not only does this club include a step-by-step program to getting booked consistently, but you also discover thousands of speaking leads, helping you to become an authority in your field and get paid what you’re worth.