We’ve been conditioned to believe that authority comes from numbers.

 

Followers. Likes. Shares. Views.

 

But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
A large audience doesn’t always equal influence. In fact, some of the most trusted voices in every industry don’t have huge followings. 

 

What they do have is something far more powerful—deep authority.

 

Authority is the reason people think of you first when an opportunity arises. It’s the reason you’re invited into rooms you didn’t even know existed. This trust is why people act on your words.

 

So, how do you build this kind of authority when you’re not “internet famous”?

 

Stop trying to reach everyone (and become essential to someone)

One of the most significant mistakes people make is casting too wide a net.

The key to authority is clarity. You need to be crystal clear about who you help and what specific problem you solve. Broad, vague positioning makes you forgettable.

 

Instead of saying:
"I’m a marketing consultant."

Say something like:
"I help SaaS founders double their qualified leads through LinkedIn content and outbound strategy."

 

That level of specificity makes people think, “Oh, I know exactly who this person is for.” And when they meet someone who fits that profile, guess whose name they’ll mention? Yours.

 

Share insights, not just information

There’s a sea of content out there. What separates authorities from others is that they don’t just share what they know, they also share how they think.

 

It’s easy to repost a trend, a news article, or a statistic. But true authority comes by adding context, perspective, and depth. It is about connecting the dots in a way that others cannot.

 

Example:
Instead of just posting a stat like:
"70% of buyers use LinkedIn when making a purchase decision."

Say:
"Here’s why that number matters: it means your presence on LinkedIn isn’t optional anymore. Buyers are vetting you online before they even talk to you. The absence of a strong personal brand is costing you opportunities you don’t even see."

 

That’s how you become someone from whom others learn and not just a person they scroll past.

 

Build credibility through micro-wins

You don’t need a TEDx stage or a best-selling book to be credible. Authority grows when you demonstrate your expertise through small actions, such as writing guest articles for industry newsletters.

 

Write guest articles for industry newsletters.

 

Speak at smaller webinars or panels.

 

Collaborate with peers or brands your audience already trusts.

 

These “micro-wins” compound over time. Each one becomes a signal to your audience that you’re respected and relevant in your space.

 

Show up like a leader, even in small interactions

People notice how you show up.

 

Do you engage with others' content by providing thoughtful, value-adding insights, or do you simply leave a generic “Great post!” and move on?

Do you respond to messages with genuine interest—or just when it benefits you?

 

Authority isn’t built only through big moments. It’s built through consistently showing up as someone others respect and want to engage with.

 

When you treat every interaction as an opportunity to help, you’ll be amazed at how many people start to see you as a trusted resource.

 

Authority is not about vanity metrics. It is about being remembered, respected, and recommended.

 

A smaller, highly engaged audience that trusts you will open more doors than a massive, disengaged following ever could.

 

So instead of chasing followers, chase clarity. Show up consistently with valuable insights. Build relationships one thoughtful interaction at a time.

 

Because authority is a long game—and the sooner you start, the sooner people will start saying your name in rooms you’ve never even been in.

 

Your action step for this week:

Pick one group of people you want to be known by (e.g., startup founders, HR leaders, or content marketers).

Then, over the next 30 days, create and share content only for them. 

Engage with their posts. 

Answer their questions. 

Show up where they hang out.

 

It’s better to be essential to a few than invisible to many.