How Founders Can Position Themselves as Experts in Their Industry
For many brands, the founder often is the brand. Your story, experience, and perspective can be powerful tools for building credibility and attracting attention—but only if people know what you stand for. Positioning yourself as an industry expert doesn’t happen overnight, but with a clear strategy, founders can become go-to voices in their field. Here’s how.
1. Define Your Niche and Unique Perspective
Expertise comes from clarity. Identify what sets you apart—your specialty, your values, or your approach to solving problems in your industry. This focused positioning will make it easier for journalists, partners, and potential customers to understand why your voice matters.
143 Tip: A PR partner can help you define your positioning but a great place to start is to ask yourself: What knowledge or experience do I have that others in my industry don’t? Use this as the foundation of your thought leadership.
2. Create Consistent Content
Whether it’s blogging, LinkedIn posts, newsletters, or short social media videos, sharing insights regularly helps people see you as an authority. Break down complex topics, comment on trends, or provide actionable advice. The more consistently you contribute valuable content, the stronger your expert reputation becomes (and then it makes it a little easier to secure media coverage too).
143 Tip: Focus on quality over quantity. One well-researched blog post or LinkedIn article a month can outperform daily generic posts. Growth takes time.
3. Leverage Personal Storytelling
People connect with people, not just brands. Share your journey, lessons learned, or challenges. Personal anecdotes make your expertise relatable and humanize your brand, making it more likely that journalists, partners, and audiences will trust and follow you.
143 Tip: Tie personal stories to broader industry insights. This way, your POV informs your credibility rather than just being anecdotal.
4. Collaborate and Cross-Pollinate Ideas
Partnering with other experts, brands, or influencers can amplify your credibility. Joint webinars, co-authored content, or panel discussions showcase your knowledge while reaching new audiences. Being associated with respected voices in your field naturally positions you as an expert.
143 Tip: Look for collaborations that are mutually beneficial and align with your niche (see tip #1). Authenticity matters more than scale (see tip #2).
5. Engage with Media and Industry Communities
Being quoted or featured in the media builds third-party credibility. Focus on tips 1-4 first but once you are ready, you can use platforms like Qwoted or SOS to connect with journalists seeking sources (or hire a PR agency when finances allow). Join industry associations, participate in panels, or speak at events. Every interaction positions you as someone knowledgeable and approachable.
143 Tip: We cannot stress enough…build relationships before you are looking for coverage. Thoughtful engagement—sharing others’ work, commenting on articles, or participating in discussions—makes you more memorable.
Founders have a unique advantage when it comes to PR: they embody their brand. When done right, they can position themselves as credible experts in their industry, and open doors for growth.