One of the things I have learned over time, in the classroom, as a college professor, and now as a community builder, is that you can have a ton of degrees and a vastly, interesting, educated or experienced point of view, but if you aren’t getting it in front of people, you’re kind of invisible. Like Emily Dickinson and her drawers full of poems.
I am here to tell you how you can avoid dying alone with your vast knowledge stores, and instead, be touted as the brilliant Boss that you are, creating authority around yourself and your brand in a way that contributes to the good of the world, and the good of your business. I know as well as anyone how hard it can be to pose as an “authority” without feeling like a know-it-all, but have you considered that maybe you ARE someone who… knows it all? Or at least a lot, and other people can benefit from that? I think you need to share that experience, and I want to teach you how.
Cool? Let’s proceed.
The Problem: Just Posting About Your Business Won’t Get You Seen
Most business owners think that if they just post about their products or services often enough, people will eventually notice. But the truth is, visibility is about credibility—not just showing up. You can post baloney all day, and it might get you followers, but what impact is that really having?
How many times have you scrolled past a “Hey, buy my thing!” post? If you’re like most people, those posts blur into the background noise of your feed unless they are something remarkable, but even if you stop and look, you may not act or follow or engage any further. What stands out? Thought leaders, babe. Expertise. Someone who makes you think, learn, or feel seen.
If you want to be remembered, recommended, and respected in your field, you need to do more than just exist online. You need to own your space as the badass authority you are.
That means shifting from self-promotion to contribution and leadership.
The Shift: Focus on Authority, Not Just Exposure
Visibility that converts into opportunities isn’t about frequency—it’s about value. It’s about creating content that makes people stop scrolling or stop deleting, engage, and remember you when they (or someone they know) need you.
I have been really successful at building real, trust-based authority so my audience actually listens, and I think some of that came from just being the teacher in a room for so many years… I like to make sure I have a point and back it up before I put it out there, and I love to help others, solve problems, and contribute to the conversation. I like taking my creative viewpoint and using it to support the fields of study where I show up.
You can do it, too. No matter what you do, chances are you have something underneath it all at which you are an expert. And that is the sweet spot, my friend.
Here are a few steps to help you get noticed as an authority, so you become a go-to for those who need to…go…to… you (not super creative but I am sure you understand what I mean).
1. Answer the Right Questions (Your Audience’s, Not Yours)
Great content doesn’t just promote—it solves problems.
One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make? Talking about what they want to talk about, instead of what their audience actually needs.
Do Not Do This:
“Here’s why my coaching program is great.”
“I have three spots open this month—book now!”
This is Hotter:
“Here’s the biggest mistake I see business owners make—and how to fix it.”
“Struggling to get clients from social media? Let’s break down why your posts aren’t working.”
When you shift your content from “Here’s what I’m selling” to “Here’s something that will help you,” you instantly position yourself as a trusted expert—and experts get hired. Now I am not suggesting ONLY value posting or free help. That’s a disaster and a recipe for poverty. BUT. I am suggesting that folks see the person with some answers as the person with whom they’d like to invest.
Look at your last few posts. Are they business-focused or audience-focused? What’s one common problem your audience has that you could solve in a post this week?
2. Get Seen in the Right Places (Beyond Social Media)
Not all visibility is created equal.
A business coach posting daily on Instagram might get engagement—but a business coach who writes a guest article for a well-known business publication? They gain instant credibility and get in front of a whole new audience.
Your social media should be the hub—not the only place—where you show up. Your website is your home base. Your socials are focused on who finds you there. But the heavy hitters go beyond.
Places to Build Real Visibility:
Industry blogs & publications → Lots of online and print publications take unsolicited submissions. Submit guest articles or opinion pieces in places that align with your expertise and audience. Use them to develop a point you have around content they are seeking. You can find the submission guidelines on their sites.
Podcasts → Share your expertise on relevant shows. It’s fairly easy to guest on podcasts once you join some of the groups where hosts are looking. You can also contact hosts via the email in the show notes, if they have one in there. Just be sure to listen to a few episodes so you understand the show and why you’d be a good fit.
LinkedIn, Substack & Medium → Publish thought leadership articles and share your link. Create a body of work and support people with it.
Community engagement → Join communities that are thriving and contribute valuable insights. You don’t have to promote. In fact, I advise against it initially. Go, be seen, help others. Be sure your profiles are optimized. Watch what happens.
Local & niche media → Pitch yourself for interviews and features. You can find the contact info on their sites, or ask around. Be sure what you have in mind is relevant to the station and what is newsworthy at any given time. I have talked about holiday stress for people with ADHD because it was December, and women in business with creative brains because it was March. Both my wheelhouse, but different and relevant.
Being featured somewhere your audience already trusts does more for your visibility than 100 social media posts.
Want to try something? Pick one new platform to show up on this month. Start with an easy win—maybe answering questions in a relevant Facebook or LinkedIn group, or pitching a guest article to an industry blog.
3. Position Yourself as a Thought Leader
Thought leaders don’t just show up—they lead conversations. They educate, challenge outdated beliefs, and offer new ways of thinking.
That’s why your content should include:
Personal stories → Make it relatable and engaging. People want to know YOU. But also, keep it relevant.
Myth-busting posts → Challenge misconceptions and give the audience what they need to hear.
Quick-win lessons → Teach something useful immediately. They will love it and come back for more.
Examples of Thought Leadership Posts:
A personal story: “When I first started my business, I made every marketing mistake in the book. Here’s what I wish I knew then…”
Myth-busting: “Everyone says you need to post every day to get clients. That’s NOT true—here’s what actually works.”
Quick-win: “Want to make your social media posts more engaging? Here’s one easy tweak that will double your reach.”
When people see you consistently offering valuable, thought-provoking content, they start to trust you. And when they trust you, they buy from you.
So what would you post about that challenges a common belief in your industry? What do most people get wrong, and how do you do it differently?
Visibility is About Influence, Not Just Presence
You don’t need to post more, fam. The fact is, you need to post smarter. You are an expert, so find places eyes can get on it when you show it.
You don’t need to be everywhere. Just try to find places that matter.
It is not about selling harder. Position yourself as the expert people want to work with. It is important that it’s easy to find ways to work with you, but you don’t want to make that all you talk about.
My challenge to you:
Choose one strategy from this post and take action this week. Whether it’s writing a blog entry, engaging in a group, or pitching yourself for a guest feature—it’s time to start showing up like the sparkling authority you are.
xo
