What are you famous for?

Find your focus and expand your authority

Being known for something is not just for business owners.

Whether you're part of an organization, looking for a job, or doing your own thing,

It has been on my mind lately as I read a LinkedIn post that resonated with me.

Here it is:

Read the full post here.

I love the idea of owning one word as an expertise.

Many careers are not linear, so like me, it is very likely you know about many topics and be considered an expert in many.

But when building a personal brand or business, your name should come up when people think of the word.

Why be “known for” something

A one-word focus can enhance your professional credibility, build your brand, or help you become the go-to expert in a niche area.

It helps you to become a recognized authority.

Knowing how to position yourself as an authority brings numerous benefits: increased trust from peers and customers, enhanced career opportunities, and the potential to influence wider audiences. These outcomes help your professional life and enrich your personal growth and satisfaction.

Unfortunately, many people struggle to achieve this because they often don't know where to start or how to continue growing their influence.

Why is becoming an authority so tricky?

Let's face it, the reason that it is challenging to learn how to become an authority or struggle to make actionable progress usually falls into these categories:

1. Lack of clarity about their unique value or expertise.
2. Inability to consistently produce and share content related to their niche.
3. Failure to network with other experts and influencers in their field.
4. Not leveraging the right platforms or media to amplify their voice.
5. Impatience and unrealistic expectations about the time it takes to build authority.

I have been in business for almost three years and have experienced all these myself.

Where many go wrong is by either spreading themselves too thin across too many topics or not providing enough actionable insights in their content.

The good news is that there are established ways to create authority. Here are the three ways to start turning the ship and becoming “famous for” a topic of expertise.

Step 1: Identify your word/niche

The first step to becoming an authority is pinpointing exactly what you want to be known for. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and where you can consistently create insightful content.

As Devin says, choose your word.

Even if you don’t have a business or product content, if you want to create authority within your organization, this can be words like:

• Leader
• Strategy
• Safety
• Reliable
• Communication

Understanding your niche is crucial because it ensures all your efforts are concentrated and impactful.

Step 2: Align the word around behaviors and communications

After one word has been chosen, think about how you bring that word to life.

For example, if you chose a word like “Strategy.”

How are you embodying the word strategy in everyday life? Would people come to you when they needed guidance on strategies in and outside your organization?

Aligning to behaviors might look something like this:

• Sharing articles on strategy
• Create a list of podcasts that focus on strategy
• Identifying best practices within the organization and sharing
• Writing original ideas on strategic thinking
• Starting a book club or affinity group on strategic thinking

Consider how to bring your word to life and what others would find helpful to learn about your topic.

Consistency is key—regular updates keep your audience engaged and help establish your credibility over time.

Step 3: Network and Collaborate

Like attracts like.

Networking with other experts in your field is a great way to expand your influence and become an authority.

Keeping with the Strategy word, here are some actions to take:

• Identify and attend industry conferences
• Participate in topic-focused webinars
• Join professional groups on LinkedIn
• Seek out creators specializing in your word – what are they discussing?

Interacting with peers helps you learn and grow and increases your visibility in the field.

If you make enough contacts in your industry or authority word, there will be more collaboration opportunities, such as guest blogging, podcast interviews, or joint webinars. These activities cement your authority and extend your reach to new audiences.

To summarize (TL;DR)

1. Choose a narrow focus – what do you want people to think of when they hear about you?
2. Be the topic – how are you showing others that is your authority?
3. Find your tribe – identify and spend time with others who share your interests
4. BE PATIENT – building authority is a long game, don’t get discouraged. Micro steps daily.

By following these steps, you can expect to gradually build a name for yourself, earning the trust and respect of your peers and audiences alike. Remember, it's a journey, not a race.

Stick with it, and the results will #bebrilliant!

I hope this advice helps you improve your confidence when communicating your authority.

If you feel like your team could use more information about communicating with groups, consider setting up a time with me: Book a meeting​

Do you already have a good understanding of your project? You can find more helpful articles here: Check out the resources.

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See you next week!

Hi! I'm Suzanne I founded Brilliant Workplaces, a consulting agency that helps businesses with systems for Marketing, Customer, and Employee Experience.​ The #bebrilliant newsletter was created for those who want best practices and systems to build your brand, establish an authority position, and achieve personal and professional growth. Do you know someone who would love this newsletter? Please forward it and have them sign up here. ​​​