7 Tips to Stand Out and Become a Thought Leader

Back in the old days of the Internet, “create and they will come” was an excellent content marketing strategy. There were fewer blogs fighting for attention, and therefore, the simple act of creating a website was a sure-fire way that people interested in you would find you.

Today that is no longer the case. Nine out of ten marketers will be producing more content in the next 12 months than they did this year. Most of them will produce even more content the year after that. To make things even more difficult, nowadays you are not only competing against people who cover the same topics as you, but also against big media organizations with enormous human and capital resources that provide blog writing service.

The only way to stand out is to become a thought leader in your niche. But, that’s usually easier said than done. You can’t just go to school to become a thought leader. It requires hard work, a powerful network, and a certain set of skills. It is not enough to be a good writer, you also need to have a unique point of view and not be afraid to push the limits.

thought leadership content

Becoming a thought leader is both art and science. Fortunately, you are totally capable of both of those things. All you need is a little help. Here are seven tips that will help you become the go-to person in your niche.

  • Be Authentic

There is a huge content explosion on the internet. For instance, just on Facebook, people share 2.5 million posts every minute. With this seemingly endless influx of content, it’s easy to see that if you aren’t providing genuine experiences, you are quickly forgotten.

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If you want to stand out and become a thought leader, you need to be authentic. Simply creating content with no added-value is not enough. People want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your personality. Use your Instagram give your audience a peek inside your life. Use Snapchat to narrate your creative process. Share photos from you daily routine to show your audience what you’re up to. Here are some Tools to make a post go Viral on Social Media.

  • Add Value

People tend to subscribe to a newsletter searching for ideas or solutions to a problem they have. As a result, your content should be useful, insightful and it should offer information about the topics your audience is interested in. If for example, you are a wedding planner, you can write tips on how to find the perfect wedding dress or share cake recipes and so on. Ultimately, being useful comes down to understanding what your audience needs and creating content that addresses those needs and solves problems.

Remember, it’s about them, not about you.

  • Inspire Action

One of the main goals of your content is to inspire your readers to take an action. But, what makes people click on a headline, share an article or subscribe to a newsletter? What inspires them to buy a product and tell others about it?

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Is it logic, emotion, or something else?

As it turns out, emotion is the driving force behind a powerful content. According to scientists, we feel first and act second. Our brains process sensory information in one fifth of the time our cognitive part takes to assimilate the same information.

Focus on the four basic emotions – happiness, sadness, fear, and anger – to persuade readers to take action.

  • Be Consistent

Even if you create great content with unique points of views and inspiring messages, it would be hard for people to follow you if you say something on Monday and do something else on Tuesday. That is why thought leaders need to be consistent. Consistency tells your audience that you are trustworthy and give them something to look forward to every week.

  • Network, Network, Network

Networking can be the catalyst for success, and it’s the reason savvy content creators spend a lot of their time building relationships and trying to identify new opportunities. Reach out to influencers and mentors and ask them to share your content. But, don’t just connect to influencers because you need their help. Offer something in return. Promote them, help them grow their brand and so on.

  • Bring Something New to the Table

How come companies like Apple or leaders like Marin Luther King JR. were able to achieve great things, defying all our assumptions about what’s possible? The answer is simple: they weren’t afraid to think different.

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If you want to become a thought leader, you can’t simply rehash what others are saying or doing. You need to think different to stand out. I know it sounds scary, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to come up with completely new and innovative concepts. Something as simple as improving an already good article can do the trick.

  • Aim Big

Nobody ever became a thought leader by refusing to dream big. Don’t be afraid to promote your ideas or to make bold claims, as long as you have the knowledge and expertise to support them. In fact, that’s the number one thing that set thought leaders apart: they make big claims, and then they deliver.

Becoming a thought leader is no easy process, and it definitely won’t happen overnight. But, by working on these seven tips, you are just one step closer to becoming the one of industry’s authoritative voices.