How to be a Thought Leader

How to Be a Thought Leader Without Being Salesy — Insights from Credibility Expert Mitchell Levy

Are you tired of chasing likes but not getting real results from your content? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. In this episode of Profits Unleashed, I sat down with Mitchell Levy, TEDx speaker, credibility expert, and author of over 60 books, to talk about the new era of thought leadership. Spoiler: It’s not about selling more. It’s about serving more authentically.

If you're a coach, consultant, or service-based entrepreneur who wants to grow your influence without sounding salesy or robotic, this episode is a must-listen.

🔊 “Visibility Without Credibility Is Just Noise”

Let’s start with this mic-drop moment from Mitchell:

“Visibility without credibility is noise.”

In an online world where everyone’s chasing vanity metrics, Mitchell cuts through the fluff. Posting consistently does matter—but only if it builds trust. Without credibility, your content becomes part of the background buzz. And as Mitchell says, buzz doesn’t build businesses—conversations do.

This shift—from visibility for visibility’s sake to intentional trust-building—is the heartbeat of real thought leadership.

💡 Want to Win on LinkedIn? Focus on Conversations, Not Clicks

You don’t need to post every day to make an impact. In fact, one high-impact post a week that sparks conversations can outperform five shallow posts that disappear in the scroll.

Mitchell urges leaders to stop focusing on what looks good and start investing in what works: DMs, voice notes, follow-ups, and human-centered engagement.
No spam. No awkward pitches. Just genuine connection.

🦸 Become a Community Superhero

Mitchell introduces a powerful concept: the Community Superhero.

When you show up with clarity, credibility, and service, your name naturally comes up in rooms you’re not in. Instead of constantly promoting yourself, you become a trusted go-to—someone who’s remembered and recommended because you’re actually solving problems and creating value.

This is the kind of reputation that outlasts algorithms.

🧭 Clarify Your CPOP—Customer Point of Possibility

One of the most actionable takeaways? Create your CPOP (Customer Point of Possibility)—a 10-word-or-less statement that communicates the outcome you create.

Forget your title. Forget your resume. Mitchell says what people really want to know is: Can you help me solve this problem?

Example:
Instead of “I’m a marketing strategist,” try:
👉 “I help female founders grow with authentic messaging.”

That kind of clarity attracts the right clients and makes you referable.

🤖 Tools to Scale Thought Leadership Authentically

Mitchell also shared smart tools that support consistent content creation without burning out or sounding automated. From Substack newsletters to AI chatbots that extend your voice—not replace it—these are practical ways to stay visible and credible.

It’s all about scaling your presence without sacrificing your personality.

🎙️ Why Podcasting + LinkedIn = Thought Leadership Gold

Podcasting gives you long-form space to build trust. LinkedIn gives you the platform to distribute that trust. Together, they’re a credibility engine that can turn listeners into leads—without the hard sell.

If you’re not podcasting yet, or not repurposing episodes on LinkedIn, Mitchell makes a strong case for why you should start. It’s not about being everywhere. It’s about being where your credibility can grow.

🔑 Key Takeaways from This Episode

✅ Visibility is meaningless without credibility
✅ Post with purpose: one thoughtful post > five forgettable ones
✅ Use DMs to start real, human conversations
✅ Create your CPOP to become magnetic and memorable
✅ Leverage tools like Substack and podcasting to scale with integrity
✅ Build long-term trust by becoming your community’s superhero

🎧 Listen Now

This episode of Profits Unleashed is a masterclass in thought leadership for today’s entrepreneurs. If you’re ready to ditch gimmicks and grow your business with real trust and credibility, tune in now.

👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.
📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Wherever you are on your journey, we have a solution for you. Getting your message heard, growing your audience, building influence or getting ready to scale your business https://podcastprofitsunleashed.com/appointment