Stop Blending In: 5 Ways to Position Yourself as an Authority in your Field

When I worked in TV, authority was often defined by status - the person with the biggest office or the loudest voice, usually held the power. But running your own business is very different. Authority isn’t something handed to you by a job title or a corner desk. It’s also not something that arrives overnight. It’s something you build - step by step - through how you show up, how you communicate, and how consistently you share your message - essentially showcasing your expertise in action.

You don’t need to shout, be the most polished, or wait until you feel ‘ready.’ Authority grows in the small, intentional actions you take every day. And over time, those actions add up to something powerful: being seen as the go-to expert in your field.

The Ripple Effect of Having Authority

Running a business is a long game and confidence grows with each and every time you use your voice. The ripple effect of building authority is key to success:

Trust - Clients believe in what you do and come to you over your competitors

Opportunities - Speaking gigs and PR opportunities, to share your expertise, insights or your story, start to come to you

Influence - Your consistent message is liked, remembered and shared with others

Confidence - Each opportunity leads to having more belief in yourself, which in turn leads you to take more action.

You can see, there are huge benefits to building your authority, but this may still seem like a dream to many. Something that is a little too far out of reach. Something that happens to others, but not to them

The Barriers that could be Holding you Back

Before clients begin to work with me we look at the fears and worries they have about sharing their expertise and insights, some common ones are:

‘Who am I to be talking about this?’

‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘What if people don’t take me seriously?’

But also:

Waiting to feel ‘ready’ before taking action to be seen

Waiting for opportunities to come to them, rather than seeking them out themselves.

Or hiding behind written words, rather than speaking up

These fears are completely normal - but they also keep you ‘unheard.’ I didn’t start my business for a number of months due to all the fears and doubts knocking around in my head, but then, through coaching, I realised that I was sabotaging my own potential and something had to change.

Authority isn’t something you suddenly wake up with one day; it’s something you grow into by showing up, despite the doubts and fears.

Building Authority through Small Consistent Steps

The moment you take small, consistent steps - whether that’s sharing your perspective online, pitching yourself for a podcast, or simply practicing speaking about what you do at a networking event, you start to shift from waiting to feel ‘ready,’ to confidently owning your voice.

Here are 5 ways you can start building your authority today:

1. Craft your unique perspective.

This could be a signature framework, something that is the first of its kind or a belief or approach that is unique to you. How will you stand out above the noise? When you gain clarity on this, your content, your insights and how you talk about what you do becomes engaging and people will want to listen. The real key here though, is to repeat this consistently, let this be what you become known for.

2. Show up regularly - even in small ways.

Consistency needs to become more powerful than perfection. Whether it’s posting on social media, speaking as a podcast guest or contributing your insights - each opportunity adds another level of credibility. Seek out your own opportunities, especially in the early days, and the more value you share, the more you speak up - the more people will want to listen.

3. Share insights, not just information.

Facts and tips are incredibly useful, but your audience also equally wants to hear your unique perspective, opinions and values - that’s what makes you memorable. It will also help to attract the right kind of client. Speak about what you believe in and why it matters, all of which helps to build your authority.

4. Borrow credibility.

Seek out opportunities to collaborate, be featured, or contribute to media outlets your audience already trusts. Borrowing these platforms immediately elevates your visibility, positioning you alongside voices that are already respected. It signals credibility, shows that your expertise is valued, and helps new audiences discover you in a context that feels safe and familiar to them. It will not only help in growing your confidence, but also accelerates your authority and the process of being seen as a leader in your field.

5. Use your voice.

Your voice is the most underrated powerful business tool you have and the more you use it, the more your confidence will grow. If media interviews seem too far out of reach, start with some networking events - any occasion where you can practice talking about your business.

Authority is no longer about displays of power, but about presence, it’s not built overnight, but built in the everyday actions you take. Every time you share your perspective or take a step into the spotlight, you strengthen how others see you and how you see yourself. Over time, those small, deliberate actions add up to something powerful: being recognised as the trusted voice in your field.

Need support standing out as an authority?

For more tips on speaking with impact, as well as details of how you can work with me, including my six week programme 'The Authority Accelerator,' follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.

You can also download my free Media Message Checklist here: https://sarahcollinscoaching.com/mediamessagingchecklist

Photo by Samantha Borges on Unsplash