Thought leadership is more than just a buzzword that fades out in a few days. It's a powerful strategy that can elevate your professional brand, attract new opportunities, and position you as an expert in your field.
But what exactly is thought leadership, and why should you care?
Let’s dig.
Definition of Thought Leadership
In simple words, thought leadership is about establishing yourself as an authority and innovative thinker in your area of expertise. It involves generating original ideas, insights, and perspectives that inspire and influence decision makers.
In other words, thought-leaders are not just an organization’s advocates, they are also responsible to help consumers get from point A to point B (provide real, workable solutions).
Think of Jeff Bezos, Satya Nadella, Tim Cook, or even Elon Musk.
What is the one thing they all have in common?
Apart from the fact that they are world-known, each one of them, at some point in their careers, have presented a new perspective, a unique solution, or pushed the boundaries of ‘what could be’ in their respective genres of interest.
How Thought Leadership Works?
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Let’s break it down with an example.
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In the snapshots above we see one post from Databricks company page on the right and one post from the CEO & Founder of the same company on the left.
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Noticed the difference?
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The engagement of the post from the founder has 10x reach than the one on the company page.
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The reason is simple: The CEO has established himself as a thought leader in the industry and has his own base of followers (people who trust him to give meaningful and workable solutions free of company promotions).
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That’s the POWER of Thought Leadership.
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Types of Thought Leadership Content
The three broadly defined categories of a thought leader (TL) include:
Industry TL | Organizational TL | Product TL |
Focuses on trends & news related to their respective industry. | Aligns respective industry trends to their company’s vision & culture. | Pushes company’s products as solutions to trending, industry-specific problems. |
Nailing the mix of these three categories when it comes to thought leadership marketing is what makes for the perfect recipe to success.
What’s in it for You? Benefits of Claiming the Thought Leader Status
Sharing your views, speaking up on matters of general interest, and industry involvement:
1. Makes You the ‘Brand’
Thought leadership content is the ultimate proof of your deep understanding of your field. Voicing out regular, meaningful insights about it on your social channels helps you gain trust of the audience and establishes you as a genuine professional.
2. Pulls-In More Opportunities
Thought leaders are often invited to speak at conferences, contribute to publications, and collaborate on high-profile projects. This exposure can lead to new clients, speaking gigs, and career advancement.
3. Fosters Organizational Growth
This positioning as an authority figure can ultimately give you an edge over competitors and open doors to new B2B possibilities.
3 Steps to Kickstart Your Journey as a Thought-Leader
To become a thought leader, you'll need to do more than just share information - you must offer a distinct, innovative perspective that challenges the status quo. This requires a combination of authentic passion, subject matter expertise, and the courage to voice your unique point of view.Â
Start by identifying your area of specialization and the key issues or trends affecting your industry. Â
Then, consistently create and share content that showcases your expertise and acts as a solution. Â
Engage with your target audience through articles, comments, etc. build relationships, and position yourself as a go-to resource.Â
Pro Tip: You can also try LinkedIn thought leadership ads to see what’s working and what’s not.
Remember, thought leadership marketing is not about ego or self-promotion - it's about using your knowledge and insights to make a meaningful impact. By embracing this mindset, you can elevate your professional brand, attract new opportunities, and solidify your status as an industry leader.
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