It’s a long road to becoming a leader in the financial field, but the real challenge is staying there. Discover the five key steps to building and maintaining authority among your fellow experts and a wider audience.
- Demonstrate industry expertise
The foundation of your authority must be built on industry expertise. Your knowledge and experience demonstrate that you’re worthy of senior status and can be trusted to lead others in your field.
Take time to guide others in your company, sharing your insights and helping them hone their skills. Make your expertise known outside your daily responsibilities by writing essays and books, commenting on relevant platforms and collaborating with others.
Staying up to date with the latest trends is essential to remaining relevant. Use digital platforms such as Tradu to monitor the financial markets, and scan the news for stories relating to the economic health of countries worldwide.
- Specialise in a specific niche
The best way to stand out is to specialise. Becoming the best at one thing rather than trying to be good at everything will distinguish you from the other experts in your industry and make you a more attractive prospect for valuable research grants.
Financial sectors you could specialise in – and your specific field could be narrowed further – include investing, planning, insurance, business finance and tax.
- Consistent content creation
Making yourself known as a trusted authority involves consistent content creation. This shows that you’re active in the community and driving the developments in your field.
Release relevant content on a regular basis, building up a following who rely on you to discover industry insights. The content could be articles and blogs, books, interviews and videos.
- Participation in global events
Ingratiate yourself within the upper echelons of the financial community by putting yourself forward to speak at industry events. If your name is often included alongside other leaders and you give convincing speeches, you’ll soon be seen as on a par with the best of the best.
At these events, you can also use the opportunity to network. This will increase your standing as a known figure in the industry and give you the chance to collaborate on exciting new publications and projects. Insights from your fellow leaders will also help to inspire you.
- Establish a strong brand
Finally, make sure to establish yourself as a strong brand. Find your unique selling points and display these regularly through relevant content. You must also determine your ‘voice’, ensuring this remains consistent, evaluate competitors and recognise and research your target market.
Utilise the internet and social media to spread your brand far and wide, solidifying yourself as an industry authority on a glob