Establishing real authority online without sounding like everyone else

Everyone on LinkedIn loves calling themselves an “expert.”

You see it in every headline, every bio, every comment. They talk about “showing up authentically” and “being yourself,” but all you get is copy-paste content that looks like it came off a production line.

It’s like watching a room full of parrots - every voice sounds exactly the same, and you leave with the same lack of enthusiasm that you walked in with.

If you want to be seen as a real authority, you have to be willing to stop repeating the obvious, cut through the noise, and actually say something worth listening to.

So, let’s make one thing clear:

Authority isn’t about being the loudest person in the room.

It’s about being the person people actually trust to know what they’re talking about.

Here’s how you can do that - without sounding like a knock-off version of every other “thought leader” online.

Challenge accepted truths without fear of backlash

People are terrified of questioning the status quo.

They’ll nod along to whatever’s trending, like a bunch of bobbleheads at a car dealership.

But if you want people to listen, you’ve got to be willing to speak up and say, “Hold on - does this actually make sense?”

Don’t be afraid to take a swing at accepted industry wisdom and show where it’s gone stale.

Authority comes from thinking ahead, not just following along.

When you’re the person willing to question the norm and offer a new perspective, people start paying attention.

Say the truths everyone else tiptoes around

People love to talk about their wins.

The highlight reel of success stories.

But what’s really going on behind the scenes?

When you share what actually happens - the setbacks, the times you almost packed it all in, the deals that went sideways - you show that you’re not just another cardboard cut-out success story.

Talk about those uncomfortable truths that everyone else avoids.

When you open up about your setbacks, people start to see you as someone who’s been through the fire and come out the other side with scars - and a hell of a story to tell.

Take a stand against feel-good fluff

We’ve all seen those posts that say, “Your vibe attracts your tribe” or “Believe in yourself and success will follow.”

Look, no disrespect to the feel-good brigade, but this is the equivalent of serving people whipped cream when they need steak.

True authority means tackling the tough stuff.

Talk about the sleepless nights, the messy reality of scaling a business, and the times when “believing in yourself” is about as useful as a waterproof teabag.

Your audience doesn’t need more fluff - they need substance.

Back up your points with data and real-world experience

Opinions are like Instagram selfies - everyone’s got one, and most of them are boring.

What sets you apart is the ability to back up what you say with real-world experience and tangible results.

If you’re sharing advice, ground it in something solid. Use case studies, client results, or personal experience to make your point.

It’s not enough to just say, “This works.” You need to show how it works and why it’s relevant.

Authority isn’t just in the saying - it’s in the showing.

Create your own framework - make it yours

Everyone’s seen the same regurgitated frameworks over and over.

SMART goals, 10X this, 80/20 that.

But here’s the thing - if you’re just repeating someone else’s model, people will always see you as a second-rate version of the original.

Develop your own framework or system that people can associate with you. This gives your ideas a structure, a context, and something memorable.

And when people start using your framework to solve their own problems, you’re not just someone with advice - you’re the person they remember when it works.

Be bold enough to make predictions

Nobody remembers the person who played it safe.

But everyone remembers the person who called it like it was and stuck to their guns.

Even if it’s risky, making bold predictions positions you as someone who really knows their stuff.

Share where you see the industry heading.

Don’t sit on the fence. Whether you’re right or wrong, people will remember that you were the one who had the guts to say it.

Present contrarian ideas with empathy

People expect contrarian ideas to be brash and aggressive.

But what if you challenge a viewpoint by first acknowledging where it comes from?

You get people’s attention - and their respect.

Empathy doesn’t mean backing down.

It means saying, “I get why you think that, and here’s why I see it differently.”

This opens the door to dialogue, rather than closing it with conflict.

And when you change people’s minds through empathy, they see you as more than just a disruptor - they see you as a leader.

Go beyond “how-to” content and dig into the “why”

“Why” content shows that you’re not just following the playbook - you’ve actually got an understanding of what’s going on underneath.

Why do certain strategies work?

Why do some businesses thrive while others flop?

The “why” is where the real authority lives. It’s where you take a step back and show that you understand the bigger picture, not just the surface-level tactics.

When you can explain the mechanics behind the advice, you’ve got more than just answers - you’ve got depth.

Show vulnerability - but make it meaningful

Sharing vulnerability just to get sympathy is like fishing for compliments - cheap and obvious.

Vulnerability should have a point.

Share your struggles only when they teach a lesson your audience can use.

It’s not about wallowing in your failures - it’s about using them to show your audience a way forward.

When you’re real about your struggles and you use them to deliver value, that’s when people start to see you as someone worth listening to.

Lead with questions that provoke thought

Instead of just serving up answers on a silver platter, challenge your audience with questions that make them think.

When you get people to question their own beliefs or see a new perspective, you’re not just an authority - you’re someone who sparks deeper thinking.

It’s not about saying, “I know everything.”

It’s about saying, “Let’s explore this together.”

That’s the kind of authority that gets people leaning forward, ready to hear more.

Authority isn’t something you slap on your profile like a new pair of shoes.

It’s something you earn.

It’s built in the way you approach your audience, the way you show up consistently, and the way you’re willing to say the things that need to be said - even when they’re uncomfortable.

So, don’t just be another voice in the crowd.

Show up differently, think differently, and be the voice people can’t ignore.

That’s how you build authority that sticks.