How To
Monday, October 19, 2020

7 Ways to Become a Thought Leader

October 19, 2020

Want to become a real business guru? Try these tips to establish yourself as a thought leader and have a powerful impact on your industry —and beyond.

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“As kids, we didn't know why our parents made us walk together, it was only when we got to school that we saw the name-calling and the jokes, and realized that we were different and that we were going to have to learn to defend ourselves or just take it,” dasdas

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim videsigns webflow agency minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

When other schools played us, it was a shock, especially because there were black kids in the chess team. He told us that it was a middle-class game, but that we need to take our working-class values, and work hard, strive hard, and not be intimidated. We did it.The hostility wasn't obvious, but I would be stared at by the students and the teachers.You could tell that it was the first time that some of them had even shaken a Black boy's hand.

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Establishing Yourself as a Thought Leader

Establishing yourself as a recognised thought leader can have a powerful impact on your personal brand and business. Being regarded as an expert who is pushing the boundaries of your industry forward can create new opportunities, drive sales, and connect you with people you may never have thought possible before.

It's important to have a considered strategy when it comes to thought leadership; the following tips will help prepare you to grow your profile (and your business).

1. Establish Your Personal Brand and Messaging

The first step is to get clear on what you bring to the table. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What am I most passionate about?
  • What is my unique skill set?
  • What is my message?
  • What legacy would I like to leave?

You'll also want to know exactly who your target audience is, including their age, preferences, location, needs, and pain points.

It’s also helpful to focus on a specific niche to cut through the noise in a crowded marketplace. To find your own slice of the market, consider your unique strengths, and don’t be afraid to get very specific about one topic — especially if you can offer real expertise that others cannot.

Dr. Charles Redd

Dr. Charles Redd, a StoryTerrace Pro client, published his book "Don't Stop Now" through various outlets including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstone's

2. Build Your Social Media Audience

Researchers have found that in 2020, 3.8 billion people use social media. The average internet user spends 2 hours and 24 minutes on social media every day, and about half of the time people spend on mobile devices is devoted to using social media apps.

In this social media-driven environment, it definitely pays to build your profile and connect with your audience.

To do this, focus on creating consistent, unique content that adds genuine value to your target audience's lives. If you don't feel confident in this space, consider hiring a social media strategist to ensure that your platforms support your business goals.

3. Publish Your Book With StoryTerrace Pro

Publishing your own book is the ultimate way to demonstrate thought leadership. Authoring a book shows that you are serious about your knowledge and skills and demonstrates credibility. You can earn trust with your audience and generate additional revenue for your business.

StoryTerrace works with entrepreneurs, executives, consultants, and inventors who have amazing ideas but are too busy to complete a book on their own. We will match you with a talented ghostwriter recruited from leading newspapers, magazines, and publishing houses to craft your expertise into an engaging book.

From writing to editing, publishing and distribution to marketing, we support you every step of the way. Find out more about StoryTerrace Pro here.

<iframe style="margin: 0px auto; display: block;" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" xml="lang" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zntirozF0x4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-service="youtube"></iframe>

Our client Dr. Adam Abodeely shares how he has established himself as a thought leader in the world of medicinal cannabis and boosted sales of his products.

4. Become a Guest Speaker

Another great way to boost your profile as a thought leader is through public speaking. By sharing your knowledge at summits, conferences, or webinars, you'll demonstrate your expertise, build relationships and engage your target audience. Having several speaking engagements under your belt will also reassure potential clients and customers that you are a trusted leader in your field.

You can get started by identifying the top events in your industry and researching what kind of speaking opportunities are available. Many of the teams that organise major events look for speakers to apply six to 12 months before the actual event, so there are likely to be ample opportunities.

Next, develop your pitch. Create a compelling title and a brief outline of your presentation and include your biography, website, and social media platforms. After you send it off, be sure to follow up with a call or further email.

In the meantime, you may want to consider starting a YouTube or IGTV channel to develop your speaking skills and prove that you know how to deliver information in a succinct, engaging way.

5. Get the Right Support

The most successful thought leaders work with a great team. It needn't be large — recruiting a handful of experts to support you will help you push past any technical issues and allow you to focus on your area of expertise.

Start by working out what your needs are. For example, you may need a talented podcast editor, marketing manager, or copywriter to take care of tasks related to your thought leadership endeavours. Ask your network for recommendations, or use a freelance platform such as Upwork to find experts in communications.

6. Generate PR Opportunities

When building your reputation as a thought leader, hiring a PR agency or freelancer who will be able to generate press coverage on your behalf is often a wise move. Your PR team will work with you to create content related to you and your business. This will likely be in the form of press releases, guest articles, research, expert comments, research studies, case studies, and more.

The pros will then pitch these properties to journalists and media outlets, which are always looking for new stories and content. The idea of PR is to raise your visibility in the types of media that your target audience regularly consumes. Once your audience becomes aware of you, they can then find out more about how to purchase from you.

7. Change the Status Quo

If you want to make a big difference as a thought leader, there’s one question you need to regularly ask yourself: How am I driving my industry forward?

Daniel W. Rasmus, former Director of Business Insights for Microsoft, explains that your work should "intrigue, challenge, and inspire even people already familiar with a company. It should help start a relationship where none exists, and it should enhance existing relationships."

The ultimate thought leadership is about creating meaningful change and involves the courage to be different.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Lashika & Anthony

Lashika & Anthony published a book about their success as a real estate husband and wife team with the help of StoryTerrace

If you are ready to become a thought leader in your industry, get in touch to arrange a chat with our friendly team to see how we can help. You can also join our mailing list for updates about StoryTerrace Pro business book publishing.

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

“As kids, we didn't know why our parents made us walk together, it was only when we got to school that we saw the name-calling and the jokes, and realized that we were different and that we were going to have to learn to defend ourselves or just take it,” dasdas

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

When other schools played us, it was a shock, especially because there were black kids in the chess team. He told us that it was a middle-class game, but that we need to take our working-class values, and work hard, strive hard, and not be intimidated. We did it.The hostility wasn't obvious, but I would be stared at by the students and the teachers.You could tell that it was the first time that some of them had even shaken a Black boy's hand.

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

  • Item A
  • Item B
  • Item C

Text link

Bold text

Emphasis

Superscript

Subscript

Establishing Yourself as a Thought Leader

Establishing yourself as a recognised thought leader can have a powerful impact on your personal brand and business. Being regarded as an expert who is pushing the boundaries of your industry forward can create new opportunities, drive sales, and connect you with people you may never have thought possible before.

It's important to have a considered strategy when it comes to thought leadership; the following tips will help prepare you to grow your profile (and your business).

1. Establish Your Personal Brand and Messaging

The first step is to get clear on what you bring to the table. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What am I most passionate about?
  • What is my unique skill set?
  • What is my message?
  • What legacy would I like to leave?

You'll also want to know exactly who your target audience is, including their age, preferences, location, needs, and pain points.

It’s also helpful to focus on a specific niche to cut through the noise in a crowded marketplace. To find your own slice of the market, consider your unique strengths, and don’t be afraid to get very specific about one topic — especially if you can offer real expertise that others cannot.

Dr. Charles Redd

Dr. Charles Redd, a StoryTerrace Pro client, published his book "Don't Stop Now" through various outlets including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstone's

2. Build Your Social Media Audience

Researchers have found that in 2020, 3.8 billion people use social media. The average internet user spends 2 hours and 24 minutes on social media every day, and about half of the time people spend on mobile devices is devoted to using social media apps.

In this social media-driven environment, it definitely pays to build your profile and connect with your audience.

To do this, focus on creating consistent, unique content that adds genuine value to your target audience's lives. If you don't feel confident in this space, consider hiring a social media strategist to ensure that your platforms support your business goals.

3. Publish Your Book With StoryTerrace Pro

Publishing your own book is the ultimate way to demonstrate thought leadership. Authoring a book shows that you are serious about your knowledge and skills and demonstrates credibility. You can earn trust with your audience and generate additional revenue for your business.

StoryTerrace works with entrepreneurs, executives, consultants, and inventors who have amazing ideas but are too busy to complete a book on their own. We will match you with a talented ghostwriter recruited from leading newspapers, magazines, and publishing houses to craft your expertise into an engaging book.

From writing to editing, publishing and distribution to marketing, we support you every step of the way. Find out more about StoryTerrace Pro here.

<iframe style="margin: 0px auto; display: block;" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" xml="lang" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zntirozF0x4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-service="youtube"></iframe>

Our client Dr. Adam Abodeely shares how he has established himself as a thought leader in the world of medicinal cannabis and boosted sales of his products.

4. Become a Guest Speaker

Another great way to boost your profile as a thought leader is through public speaking. By sharing your knowledge at summits, conferences, or webinars, you'll demonstrate your expertise, build relationships and engage your target audience. Having several speaking engagements under your belt will also reassure potential clients and customers that you are a trusted leader in your field.

You can get started by identifying the top events in your industry and researching what kind of speaking opportunities are available. Many of the teams that organise major events look for speakers to apply six to 12 months before the actual event, so there are likely to be ample opportunities.

Next, develop your pitch. Create a compelling title and a brief outline of your presentation and include your biography, website, and social media platforms. After you send it off, be sure to follow up with a call or further email.

In the meantime, you may want to consider starting a YouTube or IGTV channel to develop your speaking skills and prove that you know how to deliver information in a succinct, engaging way.

5. Get the Right Support

The most successful thought leaders work with a great team. It needn't be large — recruiting a handful of experts to support you will help you push past any technical issues and allow you to focus on your area of expertise.

Start by working out what your needs are. For example, you may need a talented podcast editor, marketing manager, or copywriter to take care of tasks related to your thought leadership endeavours. Ask your network for recommendations, or use a freelance platform such as Upwork to find experts in communications.

6. Generate PR Opportunities

When building your reputation as a thought leader, hiring a PR agency or freelancer who will be able to generate press coverage on your behalf is often a wise move. Your PR team will work with you to create content related to you and your business. This will likely be in the form of press releases, guest articles, research, expert comments, research studies, case studies, and more.

The pros will then pitch these properties to journalists and media outlets, which are always looking for new stories and content. The idea of PR is to raise your visibility in the types of media that your target audience regularly consumes. Once your audience becomes aware of you, they can then find out more about how to purchase from you.

7. Change the Status Quo

If you want to make a big difference as a thought leader, there’s one question you need to regularly ask yourself: How am I driving my industry forward?

Daniel W. Rasmus, former Director of Business Insights for Microsoft, explains that your work should "intrigue, challenge, and inspire even people already familiar with a company. It should help start a relationship where none exists, and it should enhance existing relationships."

The ultimate thought leadership is about creating meaningful change and involves the courage to be different.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Lashika & Anthony

Lashika & Anthony published a book about their success as a real estate husband and wife team with the help of StoryTerrace

If you are ready to become a thought leader in your industry, get in touch to arrange a chat with our friendly team to see how we can help. You can also join our mailing list for updates about StoryTerrace Pro business book publishing.

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