The “I Exist” Strategy: How to Become an Authority Without a Huge Social Following
For over 15 years, I built my career in corporate marketing, working with major brands and agencies. I climbed the ladder, led teams, and managed big-budget campaigns.
But deep down, I knew I wanted more control, flexibility, and the ability to work on projects I truly cared about.
When I left corporate to launch my Fractional CMO business, I quickly realized something:
Experience alone wasn’t enough to land clients.
I didn’t have thousands of targeted CEOs or Business Owners in my LinkedIn audience.
Most of my network still saw me as a corporate leader, not a fractional business owner.
No one was actively searching for me—I had to put myself in the right conversations and make my presence known.
I built what I now call the ‘I Exist’ Strategy. Focusing on visibility over vanity metrics.
Instead of obsessing over follower counts, I got in front of the right people in the right rooms by joining a Fractional Leadership Group (Fractionals United), Facebook Groups, podcasts, and LinkedIn Lives.
I started talking about what I was learning, sharing my expertise, and showing up consistently.
That strategy worked. I landed clients, built credibility, and later launched FractionalOfficer.com to help other corporate leaders transition into fractional leadership.
But none of it came easy.
In this Grit Guide, you will apply the same ‘I Exist’ Strategy to build your authority without worrying about a huge social following.
Step 1: Authority Starts with Conversations
Most people assume that authority comes from content production—posting every day, optimizing for algorithms, and chasing virality. But the fastest path to authority?
Being in the right conversations.
When you talk, engage, and share insights live, you create a lasting impression that no social media post can replicate.
- Ask yourself: Where are my ideal clients and industry peers already hanging out?
- Answer: Podcasts, Twitter Spaces, LinkedIn Live, and niche webinars.
That’s where you need to show up and participate.
Step 2: Find Your Authority Moment
Your challenge is simple: get on one podcast, LinkedIn Live, or live event this week.
Actionable Steps:
- LinkedIn – Search for “Live Event” + your industry to find upcoming discussions.
- PodcastGuests.com, Podchaser.com, & ListenNotes.com – Find niche podcasts that interview experts like you.
- Communities & Groups – Post in relevant Slack, Discord, or Facebook groups:
“I’d love to share insights on [topic]—are there any upcoming LinkedIn Live or live discussions I can join?”
- Direct Outreach – Message podcast hosts or event organizers. Keep it simple:
“Loved your last session on [topic]. I have some unique insights on [related topic]—would love to contribute to your next discussion.”
Step 3: Show Up & Deliver Value
Getting the invite is just step one—but how you show up determines whether you leave an impact.
🔥 How to Make the Most of Your Authority Moment:
- Introduce yourself with clarity: “I help [who] achieve [outcome] by [method].”
- Share a quick insight: Something actionable your audience can take away immediately.
- Ask for engagement: End with, “If anyone wants to chat more, DM me on [platform]—always happy to connect.”
Step 4: Leverage the Moment for Ongoing Authority
Every time you show up in a conversation, you gain credibility.
Here’s how to extend the impact:
- Post about it – Share key takeaways from the discussion in a LinkedIn or Twitter thread.
- Repurpose the conversation– Clip audio/video snippets and post them on social media.
- Follow up – Connect with the host and attendees, start conversations, and offer more insights.
🫵 Weekly Challenge
👉 Secure a spot on one podcast, LinkedIn Live, or live event.
- Pick one platform (LinkedIn Live or a podcast).
- Reach out to 3 hosts or event organizers today.
- Lock in a date and show up with confidence.
💡 Remember: Authority isn’t about how many people know you—it’s about who knows you.
Get in the right rooms, and your expertise will speak for itself.
📌 Community Bonus
- If you’re part of the SoloGrit community, post in the SoloGrit community about the event you’re joining or what you learned from it.
- Engage with peers by providing encouragement or feedback on their updates.
- Midweek, post an update on your progress to celebrate small wins and inspire others.
Together, we grow with G.R.I.T.
Cosmin Gabriel
I'm on a journey to connect Leadership Solopreneurs to succeed together through a SoloGrit mindset.
Subscribe to the Weekly GRIT GUIDE.
An actionable guide to develop as a leadership solopreneur.
SoloGrit is a community created to provide a safe space for leadership solopreneurs to connect, share, and thrive together.
Join 2,500+ Subscribers who receive the GRIT GUIDE for the week.
© All Rights Reserved | SoloGrit is a Decebal Ventures LLC company.