Become a Thought Leader in 2024
Are you striving to become a thought leader in your field? Are you experiencing a modicum of exposure and influence in your sphere? Is your star rising in your industry?
If so, we say, shout about it. Even if you are in the infancy of your journey to establishing your voice, harness your own online platforms to share when and where you make and shape these conversations in your industry.
Why do people choose to become thought-leaders?
Many brands, especially new brands, often struggle to “go out and sell” themselves - as counter-intuitive as that may seem, a cold-sell out of nowhere can be uncomfortable territory for most.
However, an antidote to the idea that businesses must relentlessly peddle product after product can be to add value to your audience in ways that aren’t necessarily measurable by your bottom line.
What do we mean by this? We mean selling your products and/or services, and yourself in context of the conversations around what it is that you do.
Weaving content marketing early on as a means to lessen the pressure to sell, sell, sell!, and to bolster the uniqueness of your brand, will make your business much more rounded, future-proof, and credible.
Content marketing can appear in the form of blogs, speaking engagements, Instagram live(s), and lending your expert voice to pertinent news pieces.
This content must be driven by a desire to be a true thought leader in your field; to have the confidence in your experience and expertise, and to appreciate the wider issues and concerns of the day in your field. You will be someone that not only contributes to industry conversations, but someone that shapes them.
We use the Case Study of one of our clients, Seema Flower of BlindAmbition, who has steadily become an established and pro-active voice for disability awareness. Seema is a prime example of someone who whilst selling her own services, is focused on the real-life betterment of equality in the workplace. She harnesses her own experiences as a blind woman to work with businesses to help them with disability awareness, and importantly - is generous with her time and insights - often giving interviews to continually raise the profile of the issues that matter to her personally, and to her organisation.
Whilst supporting Seema in her PR, Malky of RebKan PR, also supports her with the BlindAmbition blog as a place to spotlight Seema’s work and contributions, and to share commentary on wider industry news and developments.
There is great depth to moving down the path of thought leadership. It’s the ultimate credibility you can lend to your brand, AND it diversifies your business. Taking the pressure off of selling is a by-product and an upside but revelling in what you have to offer as an expert in your field may be your business’s true USP!