Owning Your Expertise: Becoming a Go-To Expert

If you’d rather listen to these insights, see episode 153 of The Powerful Content Podcast 

Have you ever held back from calling yourself an expert? Maybe you’ve thought, I need more experience. I need another certification. I need a bigger audience. 

It’s easy to fall into this trap, believing that expertise is something external—something granted to you by others. But the truth is, you don’t need permission to be seen as an expert. You just need clarity and confidence in what you already know. 

Expertise Isn’t Given—It’s Claimed 

There’s a common misconception that expertise is something you earn through years of experience, formal education, or a certain number of social media followers. And while those things can help build credibility, they’re not what truly makes someone an expert. 

Think about the people you turn to for advice. Maybe it’s a business mentor, a friend who just gets it, or someone you follow online who speaks to your struggles in a way that makes you feel seen. 

What makes you trust them? 

It’s not their credentials—it’s the way they own what they know and share it with confidence. 

You can do the same. And here’s the four steps to achieving it. 

1. Get Crystal Clear on Your Expertise

Before you can position yourself as an expert, you need to be clear on who you help and how you help them. 

Ask yourself: 

• • What are people already coming to me for advice on? 

• • What problems do I solve with ease? 

• • What transformation do I create for my clients? 

When you can articulate this with confidence, everything else—your content, your offers, your messaging—becomes easier. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, you become the person people think of when they need help in your area of expertise. 

2. Your Unique Perspective Is Your Strength

One of the biggest blocks to stepping into expertise is comparison. You see others in your industry doing similar work and think, Why would anyone choose me when they could choose them? 

Here’s why: your perspective is unique. 

No one has your exact combination of experiences, insights, and ways of explaining things. The way you approach your work—the stories you tell, the frameworks you use, the values that guide you—that is what sets you apart. 

Instead of trying to fit into what’s already out there, lean into what makes you different. The more you embrace your unique perspective, the more naturally you’ll attract the right people to you. 

3. Leverage Your Strengths as a Content Creator

Creating content that positions you as an expert doesn’t mean you have to follow a rigid formula. The best way to build authority and enjoy the process is to lean into your strengths. 

Some people thrive on structure and planning (hello, Precision Planners!), while others do their best work when they’re spontaneous and in flow (Free Spirits, I see you!). 

The key is to create content in a way that feels natural to you. If you love writing, focus on blogs and emails. If you shine in conversation, start a podcast or go live on social media. Expertise isn’t about forcing yourself into a content mould—it’s about showing up in a way that feels aligned. 

If you’d like to find out what your Content Creator Archetype is, do this quick quiz. 

4. Stop Waiting for Permission

One of the biggest shifts in stepping into expertise is realising that you don’t have to know everything to be valuable. 

You don’t have to be the ultimate authority on a topic. You just need to know more than the people you’re helping. You need to be a few steps ahead, with the ability to guide them through the challenges they’re facing. 

That’s it. 

So, if you’ve been waiting for someone to declare you an expert, consider this your permission slip. 

Your audience doesn’t need a perfect expert. They need someone real—someone who understands their struggles, shares valuable insights, and leads with integrity. That someone is you. 

Positioning yourself as an expert isn’t about waiting until you feel “ready.” It’s about recognising that you already have something valuable to share—and choosing to share it with confidence. 

If you’d like help claiming your expertise, join my monthly membership The Content Effect, where you’ll learn how to get clear on your unique perspective and how to effectively communicate this to your audience. 

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