Authority-Building on Linkedin (and beyond)

Na…na…na…

We’re skipping the obvious this time. Not going to tell you what authority building is and isn’t. You know the drill anyway. But if there’s one certain thing, if you properly built one, you’re literally going to be unmistakable. Your name will linger in that room even after you leave the room.

And yeah… for most of us, LinkedIn is our training ground. But if all you’re doing is chasing engagement, congratulations! You’re building a fan club, not authority (oopsie!).

Enough small talk. Let’s dive straight into the things no one tells you about building authority.

Authority is a game of perception, depth, and trust. Crack this, and you’re unstoppable. Let’s break it down.

1. People-First Perception

Why Authority is a Mirror?

Most people write content hoping to look smart. BIG MISTAKE. Authority isn’t about you. It’s about how people see themselves through your words.

• When you write, don’t just ask, “What do I want to say?” But ask, “What do they need to hear that no one else is saying?”

• Speak to their hidden frustrations, the ones they don’t even know how to articulate.

For example, Instead of “Here’s how to grow your audience,” say, “Here’s why most people will never build an audience that actually respects them.”

This isn’t about clickbait. It’s about hitting where it matters most: their identity. When your audience feels understood, they’ll trust you. And when they trust you, they’ll follow you anywhere.

Juicy Insight: Authority is built when your words give people permission to think bigger. It’s not the post they scroll past, it’s the one they save.

2. Depth > Volume (again!)

I’m dropping a truth bomb: no one remembers your filler content. They remember your mic drops. Yet, people crank out post after post, hoping one sticks.

YOU better STOP DOING that.
Instead, focus on crafting fewer posts that leave people stunned.

• Share fewer ideas but make them unforgettable.

• Write posts that feel lived-in, like you’ve walked through fire to learn what you’re teaching.

Example:
Don’t say, “Consistency is key.”
Say, “The biggest lie in content creation is that consistency is all it takes. Here’s why most consistent creators still fail.”

See the difference? Authority isn’t built on regurgitation. It’s built on depth. When your content makes people pause and say, “I’ve never thought about it that way,” you’ve won.

Juicy Insight: Most creators don’t realise that being prolific makes you visible, but being profound makes you remembered.

3. The Shadow Work of Authority

Uh… this is not as deep as shadow work for your personal life, but still… it’s work.

A harsh truth (again, sorry): The people who can change your life are not the ones liking or commenting on your posts.

• They’re watching.

• They’re evaluating.

• And they’re waiting to see if your confidence is real or just for show.

Authority isn’t in your public metrics, it’s in your private conversations.

• Who’s DMing you after a post?

• Who’s sharing your name in rooms you’re not in?

If you’re not nurturing those quiet connections, you’re wasting your efforts.

• Reply to thoughtful comments with insight, not canned responses.

• Use your DMs to deepen relationships, not pitch services.

Juicy Insight: Authority is built when someone says, “I’ve been following your work for months, and I finally need your help.” That doesn’t happen by accident.

(I didn’t find this that special when I started, but after months of being on LinkedIn, I finally can tell why this is so special. Everyone is busy with their life, so the fact that someone comes and tells you how you have helped them in some ways and now they need you…. it’s a butterfly in the stomach situation (haha!).)

4. Share What’s Uncomfortable

The Stories No One Else Will Tell.

Authority is rooted in truth-telling. And the truth? It’s often uncomfortable.

• Share the times you messed up, lost big, or questioned yourself.

• Show people the price you paid for your expertise, it makes your wins credible.

Example: “I thought doubling my rates would change my business. It did, but not in the way I expected. Here’s what happened when I made $0 for six weeks straight.”

When you share the hard truths about your journey, people don’t just see your success, they see the struggle behind it. And that’s magnetic.

Juicy Insight: Vulnerability doesn’t weaken your authority, it makes you irresistible (sighs… I mean this as long as what you share is personal and not private stories, ok?)

Personal is sharing your growth. Private is oversharing details irrelevant to your authority.

5. Your Audience Buys Authority Before They Buy Your Product

People don’t just buy what you sell, they buy the way you think. Your audience isn’t looking for another how-to guide. They’re looking for someone who sees the world differently.

(I think that’s why I really like to see the unseen or things in the grey area. lol)

And… what this means:

• Share insights that shift perspectives.

• Make bold predictions and back them up with undeniable logic.

• Position yourself as a thinker, not just a doer.

Example: Instead of “5 tips to improve your content,” write “Why 90% of LinkedIn posts fail to drive real business and how to be the exception.”

People are drawn to leaders who think two steps ahead. If you’re not planting seeds for what’s next, you’re not building authority, you’re chasing trends.

Juicy Insight: Authority isn’t earned through information, it’s earned through conviction.

(You should know this…. I said it all the time, even in my previous editions).

And yeah, now it’s time for my final thoughts…

Authority isn’t about being liked. It’s about being respected.

The next time you write, remember:

1. Authority is a long game.

2. The right people are always watching.

3. Your words are either making you unforgettable or irrelevant.

Play the game like it’s rigged in your favour because it is.

Also, you don’t just build authority, you claim it. And when you do, there’s no competition.

(Although, competition is NOT bad, right? Means there’s a market.)

Ready to stop chasing likes and start owning your authority?  Reply to this email to partner with me. I’ll send you the details, and we’ll start making your name impossible to ignore.

That’s it… hope you enjoy a chattier version of me on my newsletter (expect this more… soon).

Thank you for reading it, and I hope you have an awesome weekend. xx

Cheers,

Pearling ♥️