8 ways to build your online authority

Do people take what you’re doing online seriously, or do they treat it like it’s just a hobby?  How about you?  Do you take what you’re doing seriously?

I want you to experience success with your online platform.  I’d like you to be considered the “go-to” subject expert in your area of expertise.  I’d love it if you were able to make a consistent income from the helpful content you’re creating as well.  But for any of this to happen, you need to invest in your online authority.  Let me explain what I mean.

A while back, I wrote a book called “The Podcaster’s Playbook.”  It’s a book that takes a deeper look at podcasting and explains how you can use podcasting to build, grow, and monetize your online platform.  That book is now being used as a text in the college classroom, and one of my favorite chapters in the book addresses the subject of online authority.

Two very interesting and related things occurred the day I wrote the first draft of that chapter.  I’m taking the liberty to share them because they help illustrate some of the points I’m about to make regarding establishing authority in your subject matter.

On the day I wrote that chapter, while checking my email, I noticed a message asking me if I was interested in collaborating on a project.  I read further to see what the collaboration would be about and I discovered that a company wanted to pay me to reference them in a blog post I had previously written about online platform development.  The work they did was a great fit for the subject of that particular post, so I happily edited the post to mention them, and they paid me generously for doing so.

Later that day, I received a message from a friend who wanted to get started in online platform development, but she wasn’t sure where to begin and she didn’t want to risk spending a fortune paying for courses and coaching from people she didn’t trust.  So she came to me for help because, in her estimation, I was the primary person in her life that she considered an authority on this subject.

Because I have become established as an authority on subjects like online platform development, podcasting, publishing, and a few other things, I’m regularly sought out for my assistance or opinion.  I want you to experience the very same thing in your field of expertise, but are you willing to do what it takes for you to become a recognized authority on the topics you speak about?

Establishing yourself as an online authority in a particular subject takes time, effort, and consistency, but the path to get there is accessible for most of us if we commit ourselves to a few simple principles.  Let me suggest a few ideas that will help, along with my list of “8 musts” that can cause your online authority to grow.

Specialize in Your Niche: Focus on a specific niche or area of expertise that you are passionate about and knowledgeable in. This will help you create content that is informative, insightful, and valuable to your audience.

Create High-Quality Content: Create content that is high-quality, informative, and engaging. This can include blog posts, podcasts, videos, social media posts, or webinars. Consistency in content creation is important for building a strong online presence that can lend authority to everything you discuss in your podcast episodes.

Build Your Network: Build relationships with other experts in your niche. This can be done by attending events, joining online communities, or collaborating with other podcasters and content creators. Networking can help you gain exposure, build credibility, and establish yourself as an authority.

Engage with Your Audience: Engage with your audience by responding to comments, answering questions, and asking for feedback. This can help you build trust with your audience and establish yourself as an expert in your niche.

Share Your Knowledge: Share your knowledge with others by creating free resources such as e-books, courses, or webinars. Providing value to your audience can help you establish yourself as an authority and build a loyal following.

Get Featured: Seek out opportunities to be featured on other platforms such as podcasts, blogs, or publications. This can help you gain exposure, build credibility, and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.  Becoming a guest on others’ shows will be particularly helpful to you.

And as I mentioned, I also think there are “8 musts” when it comes to building your online authority.  This subject could probably be its own book, but for the sake of brevity, let me share my list with you here.

1. Integrity:  Be someone who actually does what you say you do.

2. Visibility:  Don’t be hidden.  Get your face out there.

3. Personality:  Your personality makes what you’re doing unique, even if your subject is rather common.  This is what sets your brand apart from others.

4. Consistency:  Showing up when you say you’re going to show up, and delivering content on time is a big authority builder.

5. Value:  If your content is genuinely valuable, your authority will grow.

6. Track Record:  Your past and present success will inspire others who are trying to do what you do.  They will seek you out and request your help based on what you’ve achieved.

7. Credentials:  Sometimes a specialized credential of some kind like a degree or a certification can help you build your authority.  (To be honest, I don’t stress about this as much as some people do because you can build authority without traditional credentials.  I often tell people, “Your track record of success is often your biggest credential.”)

8. Testimonials:  Collect testimonials from people you have successfully helped along the way.  Share them as stories on your podcast or in blurbs on your website (with permission).

Don’t wait for someone else to declare you an authority on your subject.  Become the authority you need to be in order to gain the credibility needed to gain traction with your show and overall online platform.

© John Stange, 2024