What makes you an authority in your micro-niche? This is profound question. The naswer to this question is what holds the potential to differentiate yourself and build a strong brand identity.
WHY YOU NEED AN AUTHORITY STORY
You will need a compelling answer to this simple but profound question almost everywhere. You need it as part of the pitch for a speaking gig, a book publishing proposal, bidding for a project, or applying for a media feature. Often, experts do not have a great handle on this answer.
For that, you need to build an “authority story” that explains how you uncovered or discovered your micro-niche, how you developed your expertise, how your passions fuel it, and how you identified a gap in the market that you aim to serve using your expertise. That story presents your journey, how you accumulated experience, credentials, projects, achievements, and successes while serving toward that aim, and how it shaped your authority.
Just like the brand story, it makes a personal connection with your audience or sponsors. You come across as a relatable person who has genuine reasons to share his expertise and who genuinely stands out as a distinct authority in his space.
Your authority story serves as the glue that binds your message together, bringing coherence and consistency to your communication with your audience. It acts as a powerful tool to articulate your vision and goals, resonating with your target audience on a deeper level. Therefore, crafting a thoughtful and concise narrative that effectively conveys your passion and dedication to your chosen niche is paramount.
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR AUTHORITY STORY
By crafting a well-rounded authority story, you have the ability to inspire, engage, and captivate your audience. You can now establish yourself as a respected leader and a catalyst for thought-provoking discussions within your micro-niche. With your authority story as your beacon, you will forge meaningful connections, build trust, and position yourself as a trusted expert in your field.
Keep in mind that your story needs to answer three things:
1.How did your authority originate in the first place?
2.How has your authority developed over time?
3.How is your authority uniquely positioned to help you?
Here is an example of my authority story which I can use on a media one-sheeter, as part of my introduction, as a speaker introduction by the host, and several other things. It integrates events, drivers, outcomes, and specialization all into one.
Walking the accelerated learning path, I have earned over 100 international degrees and educational credentials–which include 2 Doctorates, 3 Master’s degrees, and tens of Diplomas and Certificates. I have been nominated for some of the world’s highest certifications. With my two practice-based doctorates and specialized research, I am one of the few experts in the world who have figured out how to reduce time to mastery by 50%. I walk the talk as an accelerated learning scientist.
While I had experienced the risks of not being able to go to school, I have been awarded 2 doctorates and have earned over 100+ international and educational credentials, including 3 master’s degrees, several PGDs, diplomas, and certifications.
As the world’s leading authority on speed in learning, performance, professional development, and leadership, I deliver research-based insights to leaders on making “speed” a priority. In guiding them on how to design the whole ecosystem to accelerate employee development during accelerated times, I offer exclusive know-how in organizational and personal space.
Leveraging every dimension of my multi-faceted personality, I write about the deeper aspects of human excellence and capabilities. I have authored over 20 multi-genre books and several research papers, covering a range of disciplines from engineering, science, leadership, management, training, learning, performance, and as diverse topics as the arts, poetry, and painting. I bring in-depth experiences, stories, and case studies from different walks of life.
My professional career and experience span over 25 years in various domains. Qualified as an engineer, I have worked in the technical and technology fields for a decade. Alongside this, I received project and program management opportunities while managing operations. Later, I embedded myself in the world of training, learning, and performance. I have acquired experience in 8 diverse disciplines over the course of my professional career. My multidisciplinary and multidomain experience allows me to bring the highest level of value and context to my solutions.
Expertise does not deliver value unless it is explicitly seen by the world. I have been showcased in over 125 media features that include TV interviews, radio interviews, magazine feature stories, podcasts, and hundreds of citations or mentions of my thought leadership across a spectrum of outlets. I appeared on the covers of some of the magazines apart from being featured in their interviews.
DEVELOPING YOUR AUTHORITY STORY
When developing your authority story, keep in mind the key elements that make it impactful:
-Passion: Clearly articulate why your micro-niche captivates you and fuels your enthusiasm to invest your time and energy into it.
-Expertise and Experience: Showcase what sets you apart from others in your niche, highlighting the unique skills, knowledge, and achievements you have acquired over time.
-Vision and Goals: Share your aspirations and the meaningful impact you hope to make by dedicating yourself to this niche. Paint a compelling picture of the future you envision and how it aligns with the needs of your audience.
-Motivation: Unveil the driving force behind your relentless pursuit of your passion within this micro-niche, providing insight into the personal and professional motivations that fuel your journey.
TIP: KEEP IT ALIVE
Remember, your authority story is a dynamic narrative that evolves alongside your journey. Continuously refine and adapt it as you gain new experiences, insights, and achievements within your micro-niche. Embrace the power of storytelling and watch as your authority grows, establishing you as a true force to be reckoned with in your specialized domain.
Dr Raman K Attri
Dr Raman K Attri is a coach to chief learning officers, a Fortune 500 learning leader and an award-winning accelerated learning scientist. Named one of the Brainz Global 500 leaders, he is the author of 50 books. His recent book Micro Authority, teaches research-based lessons on how to accelerate building your authority in the crowded market.
