The Authority Economy, Part 1: The Best Opportunities Go to the Most Visible People
For a long time, I believed that the best opportunities went to the most qualified people.
I thought if you worked hard, built up your skills, and followed the right path, you’d eventually get noticed.
But that’s not how it works.
The best opportunities don’t always go to the most qualified people.
They almost always go to the most visible experts.
That’s the reality of The Authority Economy—a shift in how career-defining opportunities are awarded.
This is the first post in a series where I’ll break down what The Authority Economy is, how it works, and, more importantly, how you can use it to attract speaking gigs, remote jobs, sponsorships, and other high-value opportunities.
The Harsh Truth About Opportunity
Most people assume that getting ahead in their careers is about merit. That if you put in the work, the results will follow.
But the truth is, the people making hiring, sponsorship, and partnership decisions aren’t always looking for the most qualified person—they’re looking for the easiest person to say yes to.
And in today’s world, that means visibility beats raw talent every time.
Think about it:
The job offer goes to someone who is already known in the industry.
The speaking gig lands in someone’s inbox because they show up consistently online.
The brand deal goes to the creator with an engaged audience, not just a great portfolio.
These people didn’t necessarily apply for these opportunities.
They built authority—so that opportunities started coming to them.
That’s the shift. That’s The Authority Economy.
How I Discovered The Authority Economy
I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, in a middle-class family. My parents worked hard to put my siblings and me in good schools, even supporting other kids along the way.
But no matter how much they invested in us, there was a limit.
The economy changed. Their sacrifices didn’t stretch as far anymore.
They couldn’t afford the elite schools or the networks that put people in powerful rooms.
The career paths I thought were “right” (like grinding my way up a marketing agency) weren’t actually practical.
There was only one thing they could still give me: access to the internet.
And that changed everything.
Through research (and trial and error), I discovered remote work.
Then I started publishing on LinkedIn.
Then, opportunities started coming.
I wasn’t applying for every job. I wasn’t cold-pitching for sponsorships.
I was simply sharing what I knew in public.
And that’s when I realized something powerful:
Authority is the real currency of the professional creator economy.
The more you build, the more valuable you become.
What Is The Authority Economy?
We’re in a new era of career growth.
You don’t get discovered. You get seen.
You don’t wait for a big break. You build your own leverage.
You don’t just get hired. You get chosen.
And the people who understand this are already winning.
So what actually makes someone an authority?
The Three Pillars of The Authority Economy
1. Content = Proof
If no one can see your expertise, does it even exist?
Your content is your public portfolio—it’s what allows people to associate you with a specific skill, industry, or insight.
Every time you share your thoughts, insights, or experiences publicly, you’re giving the world proof of your expertise.
2. Visibility = Leverage
The best opportunities don’t go to the best people.
They go to the best-known people.
If you’re not part of the conversation, you’re invisible.
Decision-makers aren’t searching for hidden talent. They’re choosing from what’s in front of them.
3. Authority = Opportunity
When you have authority, you stop chasing opportunities—they chase you.
Authority is what turns casual followers into referrals, passive readers into inbound leads, and occasional engagement into real career-defining moments.
That’s what makes The Authority Economy so powerful.
WhAT’S NEXT?
This is just Part 1 of a larger series where I’ll break down how to apply The Authority Economy to your own career.
Part 2: How to Build Authority from Scratch (Even If You Feel Invisible)
Part 3: The Authority Economy Archetypes (Find Your Stage & Next Steps)
Part 4: The Content Strategy That Builds Authority Without Burnout
Before you hop into that, here’s some food for thought:
Have you ever landed an opportunity—job, speaking gig, sponsorship—just because of what you shared online?
What’s stopping you from building authority in your industry right now?
