Stand out by owning your voice

LinkedIn is packed with the same tired content.

We’re flooded with “5 tips for success” posts and motivational quotes scribbled on whiteboards.

Sure, it’s popular content, but here’s the thing: it’s not helping anyone build authority. It’s not positioning you as a trusted expert.

Society seems obsessed with gaining approval from the masses and chasing celebrity status, thinking that’s how you get respect and influence.

It’s a sad indictment.

People care more about being seen than actually having something valuable to say. But you don’t have to play that game.

You’ve got something better - your voice.

That’s where your authority lies.

Here’s how to stop blending in and start leading.

Stop posting generic content

Let’s cut to the chase: posting surface-level, cookie-cutter content is holding you back. It’s easy to post another “Top 5 tips” list, but it’s not positioning you as someone with real expertise. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to say something that matters.

Action: Look at your recent posts. Are they offering anything new? If it’s content that could be written by anyone, it’s time to change your approach. Start creating posts that showcase your unique expertise and speak directly to the challenges your audience faces​.

Define your unique perspective

You’ve got something no one else does: your journey. Chasing trends and copying others won’t make you memorable - it’ll make you forgettable. Your authority comes from what you’ve lived and learned, and that’s where your content should come from.

Action: Identify three things that make your experience unique. What have you learned that others haven’t? Start using those insights to shape your content​.

Speak directly to your audience

The quickest way to fade into the background? Trying to appeal to everyone. The content that works is the content that feels like it’s talking to one specific person. If your content isn’t laser-focused on the people you’re trying to help, it’s just noise.

Action: Who is your ideal client? Define them clearly and then speak directly to their struggles, their needs. When you talk to them, they’ll start paying attention​.

Stop copying others

Here’s the thing - following trends won’t make you a leader. It’ll just make you another copycat, lost in the crowd. Your audience isn’t interested in what worked for someone else. They want to know what you bring to the table. The more you copy, the more you dilute the very thing that could set you apart.

Action: Scroll through your feed and pick out the trends you’ve been chasing. Now, stop. Create something only you could say. Use your personal stories and lessons - that’s what people want to hear​.

Embrace your voice

Finding your voice isn’t easy. It’s uncomfortable, and it takes time. But it’s the key to standing out. Your voice is what makes people stop scrolling. It’s what builds trust, and trust is what turns connections into clients.

Action: Write a post today where you share a lesson you’ve learned the hard way. Don’t hold back. The more you own your voice, the more it will resonate​.

Build real relationships

Content is just the start. You don’t get leads from content alone; you get leads from relationships. And relationships are built through genuine, meaningful conversations - not from likes and comments.

Action: Next time someone interacts with your post, start a real conversation. Ask questions. Be curious. This is where relationships begin​​.

Use content to build trust, not just visibility

Visibility is worthless without trust. You can be seen by thousands of people, but if they don’t trust you, it means nothing. Content isn’t about playing the numbers game - it’s about showing people why you’re the expert they can rely on.

Action: Share content that proves your expertise. Whether it’s a case study, a story of how you’ve helped a client, or an industry insight, show people why they should trust you​​.

Take imperfect action

Waiting for perfection is just an excuse not to start. If you’re waiting for the perfect post, the perfect moment, the perfect message - you’ll be waiting forever. You don’t need perfect; you need action. The more you post, the more your voice will sharpen.

Action: Post something today. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Share a quick insight or a lesson, and hit publish. The more you put yourself out there, the more confident you’ll become​.

You can’t lead by following - stand out by leading

Here’s the reality: you can’t lead if you’re following the crowd.

If you want to be respected and trusted, you need to be out front. Chasing trends and approval from the masses won’t get you there. You need to be the one setting the standard.

Stop waiting for permission.

Stop trying to be popular.

Your voice, your insights, and your experiences are what will get you noticed. When you own that, the right people will follow.

You want respect?

Be the leader others follow - not the echo of someone else’s success.

Stand out, speak up, and let the crowd follow you.