Building Credibility through Expertise

I recently worked with a client in the engineering sector - an organisation doing complex, high-value work led by some of the smartest people I have meet. While their company LinkedIn page was active and well-branded, their technical experts were practically invisible online. No thought leadership. No insights. No signs of the incredible work being done behind the scenes. In organisations driven by engineers, scientists, technologists, analysts, and other deep subject-matter experts - the strength of your brand is tied to the expertise inside the business. But too often, that expertise is locked in internal meetings, reports, or project files. When prospective clients, partners, or even future employees are doing their research they’re not just looking at your website or your company page. 👩💻 They’re searching the names behind the brand. In this case, none of the engineers had updated LinkedIn profiles. Most of them still had CV-style summaries from their graduate roles. Their networks were small, mostly internal or peers from university. And they weren’t sharing anything publicly, despite working on major national projects and presenting at conferences. The company knew their people were their biggest asset, but their digital presence didn’t reflect it. Here is what we did: ✅ Profile - We started by rewriting LinkedIn profiles for the leadership team and senior engineers. The goal was to translate what they were doing into something more accessible and credible for people outside their world. ✅ Content - This isn't about posting every day or doing video, it's about showing what they are already doing. We supported them to: ➡️ Share one-paragraph reflections after speaking at events or conferences ➡️ Break down why a specific approach or methodology was used in a project ➡️ Add context to industry news or innovations and link back to their real-world experience ➡️Comment meaningfully on relevant conversations happening in their field ✅ Connection: Finally, we helped them to expand their networks. Most had connections limited to their immediate teams or university classmates. We helped them connect intentionally. As a result, the business’s credibility increased. Not just through a logo but through the people delivering the work. 💬 Technical experts don’t need to become influencers or marketers. They don't need to post daily. They don't need to create videos. But they do need to show up with clarity and credibility. If your team of engineers, technologists, analysts, and other deep subject-matter experts are still invisible on LinkedIn, I’d love to help bring their expertise forward because in today's digital-first world, being findable and understood is part of being trusted. #linkedin #tech #marketing

"Are you sure you understand Bay Area real estate?" The question hung in the air during my first listing presentation 2 years ago. The prospective client had heard my accent and immediately doubted my expertise. I could have been defensive. Instead, I opened my laptop. What I showed them: → Market analysis of their neighborhood with 6 months of comparable data → Pricing strategy backed by hyperlocal trends they hadn't considered → Marketing plan that reached buyers in 3 languages → Track record of clients who chose me specifically for my cultural competency Their home sold for $85K over asking in 12 days. Here's what I learned about building credibility when people make assumptions: 📌 Lead with data, not defensiveness. Let your preparation speak louder than your pronunciation. Over-prepare for every client interaction until your expertise becomes undeniable. 📌 Turn your difference into an advantage. My accent signals that I understand multiple markets, cultures, and buyer perspectives. What some see as a limitation, smart clients recognize as a superpower. 📌 Build alliances, not just client relationships. Other agents who initially questioned my abilities became my biggest referral sources once they saw my results and professionalism. 📌 Let results speak for themselves. Every successful transaction builds credibility. Every satisfied client becomes proof that competence isn't measured by how you sound. 📌 Document everything. When people doubt your abilities, having concrete evidence of your expertise becomes crucial. Save testimonials, track results, showcase outcomes. The turning point came when I stopped trying to sound "American" and started leveraging my authentic voice. My accent isn't a bug - it's a feature that helps me connect with the fastest-growing demographic in Bay Area real estate. Today, clients seek me out specifically because of my background, not despite it. To other professionals facing similar challenges: Your accent tells a story of resilience, adaptability, and global perspective. In the right market, that's not a liability - it's a competitive advantage. #career #authenticity #immigrant #RealEstate #personality

Some of the worst advice out there... not only can you smell it a mile away, but it actually sets you back more than in propels you forward. “Fake It Till You Make It." The mentality might seem harmless... or even empowering. but here’s the truth: it’s a strategy that holds you back in the long run. When we rely on posturing or “faking it,” we create temporary value... a shaky foundation that breeds uncertainty and self-doubt over time. This approach can chip away at genuine confidence, leaving you second-guessing your abilities rather than embracing your true strengths. If you’re “kind of” believing in what you can do, it will lead to “kind of” results. And let’s be honest: no one invests in that. Here’s a path that builds lasting impact and real credibility: 1. Embrace Where You Are Right Now. Actionable Step: List out the top 3 strengths you bring to the table today. Focus on where you already add value. Use this clarity as your guide when you’re in new or challenging situations. This way, you’re building on a solid, authentic foundation... not pretending to be somewhere you’re not. Starting with a clear view of your strengths gives you a confidence rooted in reality... and equips you to approach each opportunity with authenticity. 2. Get Clear on Your Unique Value. Actionable Step: Identify one specific problem you can solve that aligns with your skills and expertise. Write it down in one sentence (e.g., “I help teams bridge strategy and execution gaps to drive measurable results.”). Use this as a go-to when you’re speaking with potential clients or partners. This clarity around your value will set you apart, making it easier for others to see why they should work with you... not just anyone who fits the role. 3. Bridge Your Gaps Authentically. Actionable Step: Acknowledge a skill or area you’re actively developing. Take one concrete action toward growth each week... whether that’s: - reading - building relationships - mentoring Share this journey with trusted colleagues or clients... without underselling yourself... so they experience your commitment to excellence and your drive to evolve. Owning both your strengths and areas for growth builds long-term credibility and shows others that you’re committed to being the best version of yourself. It’s how true leaders inspire and foster trust. And trust accelerates EVERYTHING.

As we add a $49.1M asset to our portfolio with Grove Parkview, I'm thinking about the critical factor that made it possible: Credibility. Not the kind that comes from fancy websites or impressive titles. The kind that's built through consistent, intentional actions. I've observed something interesting about capital raising: There's a Credibility Gap between what sponsors promise and what investors believe. And the size of that gap determines your capital raising success. Most sponsors try to bridge this gap with: - Slick marketing materials or - Charismatic presentations But the most effective credibility builders are: → Systematic, valuable communication → Transparent handling of challenges → Consistent delivery on commitments → Genuine relationship building before asking For Grove Parkview, we had to navigate multiple delays and challenges. But our investor communications were: - Proactive rather than reactive - Specific rather than vague - Solutions-focused rather than problem-oriented This approach didn't just help us close the deal. It narrowed the Credibility Gap for future opportunities. Now our investors are on track for distributions from an acquisition that tested our credibility at every turn. The sponsors who raise capital most effectively aren't necessarily the ones with the best deals. They're the ones with the smallest Credibility Gap. What specific actions have you found most effective in building genuine credibility?

If your content isn't positioning you as an expert, it's just noise 📣 I see it all the time - business owners frantically posting daily because some guru told them consistency is key. They're churning out content that looks just like everyone else's, wondering why they're not getting traction. Here's the hard truth: posting just to post is a waste of your time and your audience's attention. The most successful businesses I work with aren't necessarily posting more—they're posting with intention. Every piece they publish strategically reinforces their expertise and moves their audience closer to a buying decision. Here's how I help clients transform their content from forgettable to authoritative: 1️⃣ Stake your claim Generic content gets generic results. Take a stand on something in your industry. Share your methodology. Challenge conventional wisdom when appropriate. 2️⃣ Solve real problems Your expertise isn't measured by how much you know—it's measured by how well you solve your audience's specific problems. Focus on actionable insights, not surface-level tips. 3️⃣ Show your work Authority comes from demonstrated results, not just claims. Case studies, client transformations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your process build more credibility than generic advice. 4️⃣ Speak to pain AND possibility Experts don't just identify problems—they illuminate the path forward. Balance addressing pain points with painting a compelling vision of what's possible. I'd rather see you publish one deeply valuable, expertise-showcasing post per week than seven pieces of fluff that anyone could have written. Remember: Your audience doesn't need more content. They need clarity, solutions, and confidence that you can help them achieve their goals. ✚ Follow Samantha Hawrylack, MBA for all things SEO, copywriting, email marketing, content marketing, and digital growth. I'm on a mission to help brands scale with data-driven marketing strategies that generate massive visibility and effortless sales while having lifestyle freedom.

When I left my role as Head of Science at Calm to found Fit Minded, I had one mission: help businesses leverage science to build credibility. According to Forbes, 81% of consumers make purchasing decisions based on trust, and 93% rely on reviews before buying. In our latest blog, we share 8 data-driven strategies that have helped our clients build credibility and secure funding and customer loyalty: - Using transparency to weather challenges - Applying behavioral science to product development - Creating evidence-based case studies - Transforming testimonials into trust assets - Building genuine expertise, not just claims - Aligning all communications with core values - Developing vision that evolves with customers - Embedding ethical practices in measurable ways After publishing 200+ research papers and helping companies publish over 20 papers within the last year, I've seen how scientific rigor transforms business outcomes. Curious how these strategies could work for you? Read more: https://lnkd.in/gZygwqix #scienceinbusiness #trustbuilding #evidencebasedbusiness

Here’s how to land top-tier media features WITHOUT relying on luck. Because I promise, I’ve been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, and some of the top publications, and it wasn’t luck. It was a strategic, repeatable process. If you’re an executive or entrepreneur looking to build authority, here’s where to start: ✅ Establish credibility first: Show thought leadership on LinkedIn, podcasts, and industry panels. Editors look for experts, not just opinions. ✅ Pitch like an editor: They don’t care about you; they care about their audience. Lead with a compelling story, not your bio. ✅ Offer a unique take: The best articles challenge assumptions, simplify complex topics, or introduce fresh perspectives. If media features are on your 2025 goals, start building your online footprint now. What’s one credibility marker (media, awards, panels) you're aiming to add to your brand in 2025?