One of the best ways to market your business is to become a market expert, but how does one achieve such a status? There are several ways to go about establishing yourself as a leader and market expert.

Hard work, experience and some creative thinking will help get you started. Below, 11 members of Business Journals Leadership Trust share their best advice on how leaders can establish themselves as market experts.

1. Say ‘yes’ before you’re ready.
When I started my business, I didn’t have all the answers but found people and opportunities that appeared when I needed them. In four years, I conducted over 200 workshops for organizations placing clients into franchises and helping others franchise their businesses. I now speak at conferences around the world on franchise ownership. Say “yes” before you’re ready! This has a magic all its own. – Faizun Kamal, The Franchise Pros

2. Use help to grow.
Use someone else’s help to grow a following. There are many ways to do it. You can get invited to a podcast, guest blog for some big-name publications or partner with some influencers to share your expertise on social media live. People will be happy to do so if you truly have something valuable to offer. – Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS

3. Create a plan and have patience.
Have a plan and be patient. Being seen as a “market expert” doesn’t happen overnight; it takes diligence and fortitude. Create a multifaceted plan that includes having a vibrant website, writing blogs, being on panels, doing keynote speaking, winning awards. Do social media marketing that highlights you, your business, your accomplishments and getting published in leading business publication articles! – Aviva Ajmera, SoLVE KC

4. Share knowledge without expectation.
Share your knowledge without any expectation of a return. I know this sounds counterproductive coming from a person who is very metrics-driven, but I find that providing value to others by giving of your own experience and know-how will cement you as a trusted advisor, elevating you to expert status. – Christopher Tompkins, The Go! Agency

5. See what’s around the corner.
The best way to show expertise is by seeing what’s around the corner or what’s in the white space. How is the market or industry evolving? What trends are emerging? What do you as an expert see on the horizon? What is yet unknown but you anticipate could become the next “big thing?” Forecasting within an industry or market segment creates conversation, delivers value and shows authority. – Hinda Mitchell, Inspire PR Group

6. Size up your expertise and interest.
Size up your expertise as well as interest in a particular topic. Research it further to gain a current pulse. Network to identify potential panel discussions, print publications or social media forums where you can contribute an article or participate. Identify multiple opportunities and be sure to document your article, presentation and research for future reference. – Carlos Munguia, Amegy Bank

7. Be authentic.
Be who you are and act authentically. Personally, I don’t love the word “expert.” We all have more to learn and any great leader is curious. You’ve got to constantly be living and learning and refining your expertise. And ultimately what makes you an authority in the domain where you work is the sum of every part of your life — your work, your family, your hobbies, etc. – Jenn Kenning, Align Impact

8. Read and research everything.
Read everything you can. Conduct primary research that you can point to and reference as real-time data. Do a meta-analysis of the other thought leaders in your space to know the contemporary points of view on things. Figure out your differentiation supported by data. And then write! Be a visible and vocal thought leader on social media and other forums by consistently providing expertise. – Kimberly Janson, Janson Associates

9. Publish specific content regularly.
Publishing regular content on specific thought leadership verticals can help brand you with the expertise and resonate where someone will look to you when they are looking for expert advice on that particular subject. – Jessica Hawthorne-Castro, Hawthorne Advertising

10. Don’t wait to share.
Don’t wait for people to ask. Proactively share observations of what you see happening in the market — both good and bad — and what people are doing to address challenges. Most businesspeople have similar challenges. If you can become recognized as someone who shares best practices for addressing those challenges, people will look to you each time a new challenge pops up. – Gary Braun, Pivotal Advisors, LLC

11. Learn constantly and get involved.
Become a master of your industry. Constantly be learning and be involved in your industry. Make others aware of your industry expertise and make yourself available to the media, competition, customers and potential employees. Always put yourself and your company in front of as many people as you can so that it becomes apparent that you and your company are experts in your industry. – Douglas Carter, Ironside Human Resources