Why You Should Be Investing in Yourself as a Thought Leader and How To Do It
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Ever feel like you’re playing catch-up in your industry? Like others are getting more clients and progressing faster than you are?
With an increasing amount of brands, coaches, consultants, and subject-matter experts fighting to generate leads online, it is becoming even harder to land new clients.
So, if you don’t have your name in the hat, then you’re never going to be picked.
What we mean by that is: If you’re not setting yourself up to be a thought leader in your industry, then you’re missing out on new clients.
We’re guessing you’ve largely relied on networking and word-of-mouth to get leads. Unfortunately, that method isn’t going to exclusively work in the future. You need a new source to find leads: thought leadership content.
65% of buyers say their perception of a company was significantly changed for the better due to seeing a piece of thought leadership content.
Simply put: Investing in yourself as a thought leader is a game-changer. Keep reading to see how to become one.
Why Thought Leadership Content is a Game-Changer
1. The Shift From “Who You Know” to “What You Know”
The tale “It’s not about what you know, but who you know” is changing. The old rulebook about relying on personal connections? It’s getting a bit dusty.
In the digital entrepreneur space, especially in consulting and coaching, it’s all about showing off what you know. It’s not just about having a killer network; it’s about sharing your knowledge through consistent and valuable content.
In one survey, 78% of people agreed that if they read intelligent thought leadership from a brand they are more likely to trust or listen to that company in the future.
Takeaway: Grow your future connections by posting valuable, informative content.
2. Show, Don’t Just Tell
Recommendations are cool, but clients want more. They want to see you in action, showcasing your skills. The online space is a perfect place to do this. On LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, etc., you can share your years of experience in an easy-to-understand format.
By providing value to potential clients, they are more likely to consider you when they finally go through with their buying decision. In fact, 63% of buyers say that thought leadership is important in providing proof that an organization genuinely understands or can solve specific business challenges.
Takeaway: Become the first option in their mind and their go-to resource by showing your expertise. Thought leaders aren’t just recommended; they’re consistently proving they’re the real deal.
3. Competition in the Digital Space:
The digital space has become a marketplace for brands to showcase why clients and customers should purchase their products or services. That’s why investing in yourself as a thought leader isn’t just an option anymore–it’s a necessity.
If you want to keep putting off your thought leadership development, then you risk being left behind by your peers and competitors in your industry. This current approach to a focus on thought leadership content for lead generation is not going to go away anytime soon. Stay ahead of your competition and be the one to get new leads and clients by investing in your future.
4. More Than Just Promotional Marketing
Your content marketing strategy should include sharing more than just your products or services. We know it might sound odd, but you really shouldn’t only be sharing promotional content. By introducing thought leadership in your strategy, you’ll be able to better reach your target audience and share valuable information with them that keeps them coming back for more.
If you feel that your current marketing isn’t fully connecting with your audience, it’s most likely due to the overwhelming amount of promotional content. In fact, 64% of buyers say that an organization’s thought leadership content is a more trustworthy basis for assessing its capabilities and competency than its marketing materials and product sheets. Thought leadership content can truly make a positive impact on your brand’s overall marketing success.
How to Invest in Yourself as a Thought Leader
1. Consistent Content Creation
Thought leadership starts with developing a strategic content marketing plan. This strategy should include a variety of content types and platforms, like social media, your website, and even a podcast.
Regardless of how you choose to do it, just make sure your content educates and entertains your audience consistently.
2. Podcast and Webinar Appearances
Don’t limit yourself to your own accounts. Extend your reach by participating in podcasts and webinars in your industry. This will not only help you get additional exposure but also allow you to collaborate with others.
Collaboration is essential in the online space as it creates an opportunity for more people to learn who you are. Regardless of whether they are virtual or in-person, educational events are a perfect way to get your name out there.
3. Spruce Up Your Social Media Presence
Your social media presence is the make-or-break first impression for your potential clients. To ensure a positive “hello” to your audience, have a thorough introduction to your brand and your services by having a complete profile. This is one of the most important reasons why thought leadership content is so important – it sets up the perfect resume for your brand.
If you aren’t actively posting on your socials, then when people stumble onto your accounts, they won’t be sure that your brand exists or is still active. Plus, inactivity eliminates the opportunity to grow your presence.
4. Have a Solid Website
A factor that can be easily overlooked is your website. Similar to your social media accounts, your website is where potential customers should be able to learn everything they need to know about your brand. However, it should go a bit further as your website is all about you. It is your hub for showing off your blogs, content, background, contact information, and how they should get in contact with you. Your website needs to be user-friendly as well as match your overall branding. Don’t forget about your website because it goes hand-in-hand with your socials in creating a well-rounded social presence.
The Bottom Line
Do you want to:
Grow your business?
Be seen as an industry leader?
Not have to go out and get clients?
Have clients come to you because of what you know and what you’re sharing?
Then you need to invest in yourself as a thought leader – it’s that simple.
Ready to Invest in Your Future?
If you’ve made it this far, then you probably don’t need any more convincing. So let’s get started on establishing you and your brand as a thought leader. If you’re struggling with how to get started, we get it. Getting into content marketing can be hard, especially when you have to promote yourself. Luckily, we can help you with that.
Here at Breezy we take all the stressful parts of constant marketing and do it for you. We will help you create a strategy that is perfect for you, make all of your content, distribute it, and measure it as well to see how it’s performing. Becoming a thought leader doesn’t have to be overwhelming, so let us guide you as you start this journey. Get started here.
Ready to Launch a Content Marketing Plan for Your Small Business?
We know that carving out the time, resources, and energy to create ongoing content for your brand or business is a full-time job. That’s why we created Breezy – your instant content marketing team.
You don’t need to hire multiple full-time employees to handle all of the strategy, planning, writing, designing, and publishing of content. You also don’t have time to wrangle tons of different freelancers to get this all completed. You need one expert team that can help get all of the amazing thought-leadership and subject matter expertise out of your head and into formalized, engaging content that keeps you top of mind with your audience.
We’re that team!
See how we can help your small business, startup, or agency with a free consultation.
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