You might have heard the old saying that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert. The problem is, that's more than three years even if you work 60-hour weeks.

As an entrepreneur, you shouldn't have to wait that long to showcase your credibility. The faster you can build up your status as a leader in your industry, the sooner you'll reap serious benefits.

For instance, having an enviable reputation can be great for your business's bottom line. When you're known as a subject matter expert, people seek you out. This doesn't just include potential clients, although clients will directly help fuel your profitability. 

Who else might be interested in getting in touch? Conference planners are always looking for keynote speakers with niche knowledge. Journalists – including reporters for international publications – are too.

You may even be asked to join a panel discussion on a talk radio or news show if your expertise matches a trending topic. Suddenly, you'll be the "it" person, which is wonderful when you're in high-growth mode (and maybe looking for investors).

The point is that you can't afford to sit back and hope your credibility factor goes up. You can't leave everything up to chance, either.

You need to put strategies in place to shorten the time it takes you to get from unknown founder to talked-about leader. Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true ways to improve your recognition. I've used quite a few. They'll work if you stick with them.

1. Ratchet up your online visibility

Thanks to the internet, there has never been an easier route to advertise your personal brand. However, you can't just set up a Facebook or Twitter account and cross your fingers.

You need to actively publish irresistible content that leverages your unique know-how and perspectives. Be sure to do this by constructing a marketing plan so you can remain consistent.

For example, you may want to set up a podcast and release episodes monthly. It's no secret that podcasting has arisen to become one of the newest ways to connect with others. Buzzsprout research suggests that three-quarters of people ages 12 and over have tuned in to a podcast in the past month.

That's millions of potential listeners ready to learn something new. You just need to come up with a format you enjoy and invest in minimal home audio equipment to start.

If the idea of launching and broadcasting a podcast sounds daunting, try hooking up with an all-in-one solution that does all the hard work. A portal like Show Platform is designed to make it easy to create, publish and grow your podcast.

You can even tap into Show Platform's monetization module to bring in a little extra money for your credibility efforts. Once your podcast is running smoothly, use the episode transcripts to write posts for social media, your blog and your newsletter. 

2. Teach others what you know

When you have a skill that others don't, you have a wonderful opportunity to share it. A good way to do that as an entrepreneur is to offer to teach classes. These don't have to be formal classes, mind you. They can be informal events designed both to help you shine and help others grow their abilities.

What are some teaching possibilities? Maybe a local high school offers in-person or online career days where you can mentor young people. Or perhaps you could set up free lunch-and-learn webinars through your business for clients and leads.

If you have the educational credentials, you may be able to teach students at a college. Just being an occasional classroom guest speaker could raise your credentials and add heft to your résumé.

To ensure that you get the most out of your teaching, talk about it online. This could be on your social media pages. Be sure to update your LinkedIn profile while you're at it. Most people see teachers as automatic experts.

NPR research indicates that three-quarters of individuals view teachers as trustworthy as well. Consequently, by labeling yourself as an instructor, you're raising your inherent credibility.

3. Be the best leader you can be

As Gallup can attest, most managers aren't anything to write home about. When you're a good boss, you stand out. And standing out is a key to boosting the respect you earn as an industry innovator and CEO. 

Think about ways that you can be a better leader to all your employees. Could you invest more in their well-being? Make your workplace culture more inviting? Authorize them to make more decisions instead of keeping everything at the top of the corporate ladder?

The choices you make need to be right for your business model, of course. Nevertheless, updating your leadership style could have widespread advantages.

How will this make you more credible? Put simply, people talk. They tell "boss stories." Accordingly, when you're a terrific manager, you can bet that word will get around. As it spreads, your credibility should rise and blossom. In time, you'll have a stronger company and a stronger reputation. 

Forget about waiting for years to be seen as a thought leader. Taking proactive steps right now will allow you to expand your reach and grow your prominence quickly.

Inc