In every industry, there are people who stand out—people who are highly respected, well-connected, and at the center of big opportunities. These are the Key People of Influence (KPIs). They don’t chase success; success gravitates towards them. .

Daniel Priestley breaks down the journey to becoming a Key Person of Influence into five core principles: Pitching, Publishing, Products, Profile, and Partnerships. Master these, and you position yourself as an authority in your field.

As an entrepreneur, here’s how I apply these five principles—and how you can too.

1. Pitching – The Power of Your Introduction

Your pitch is how you introduce yourself and what you do. It’s not just about stating your job title; it’s about communicating your value in a compelling way. People should instantly understand who you help, how you help them, and why it matters.

💡 A weak pitch confuses people. A strong pitch opens doors.

When you introduce yourself, think about impact over titles. You’re not just an entrepreneur; you solve a specific problem for a specific audience.

2. Publishing – Sharing Your Ideas with the World

If people don’t see your work, they don’t know you exist. Publishing allows you to showcase your expertise, build credibility, and attract opportunities.

This can be through:
📌 Books
📌 eBooks
📌 Videos
📌 Blogs
📌 Podcasts

For me, I publish through my newsletter called The Thursday Knowledgepreneur and my podcast, Shine Wisdom. Each week, I share insights on entrepreneurship, Mindset, and digital strategies to help knowledge entrepreneurs succeed.

Publishing consistently positions you as a thought leader. People start associating your name with valuable insights, and that’s how influence begins.

3. Products – Turning Influence into Revenue

Influence without a business model is just popularity. To be a true Key Person of Influence, you need products.

Products can be digital or physical, but they should solve a problem or provide value to your audience.

For me, my products are:
🚀 KOMM – A platform for building and managing thriving online communities.
🚀 KOAI – A tool that helps content creators design engaging social media posts, eBooks, and digital content with ease.

Your product should allow people to engage with you beyond just consuming your content. A book, a course, an app—something tangible that delivers value.

4. Profile – Becoming Recognizable & Trusted

People do business with those they know, like, and trust. Your profile is how you establish credibility and make sure that when people search for you, they find something valuable.

For me, I’ve focused on building my personal brand on LinkedIn and Instagram.

💡 A strong profile doesn’t mean being famous—it means being known for something valuable in your industry.

To build your profile:
✅ Share valuable content regularly.
✅ Engage with your audience authentically.
✅ Position yourself as an expert in your niche.

When people consistently see your work and insights, they begin to trust you. And trust is the foundation of influence.

5. Partnerships – Growing Through Collaboration

No one becomes a Key Person of Influence alone. Collaboration is a powerful way to expand your reach, grow your business, and tap into new opportunities.

Strategic partnerships can be with:
🤝 Other entrepreneurs in your industry.
🤝 Influencers who align with your vision.
🤝 Companies that share your target audience.

For me, partnerships have helped me reach new audiences, learn from others, and scale my impact. Whether it’s collaborating on events, co-creating content, or joining forces on a product launch, partnerships accelerate growth.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a Key Person of Influence is not about luck—it’s about positioning. When you pitch well, publish consistently, create great products, build your profile, and form strong partnerships, you become someone that people seek out rather than ignore.

🚀 You stop chasing opportunities. Opportunities start chasing you.

So, where do you need to focus right now? What’s the next step in your journey to becoming a Key Person of Influence?

The world needs more entrepreneurs who step up and own their space. Will you be one of them?

Learning never stops.
Take a moment to reflect and act on what resonates with you.
Keep evolving.
– MJ Nyota