As presenters, we like to be heard and understood. The more we present original ideas, the more our audiences trust and rely on us for thought leadership. While not every presenter will become a thought leader, it is certainly a worthwhile goal. Now, there is a difference between being a self-proclaimed thought leader and earning the title outright. But how does a presenter rise to thought leadership? The answer lies in authenticity. Let’s break down a few tips on how to establish authentic thought leadership.
Focus
The first step in establishing authentic thought leadership is to hone in on the one thing you do well. A jack of all trades is a master of none. To be an expert of experts, you must focus on your greatest strength. Most legitimate thought leaders have gained popularity in their niche by building credibility and establishing trust. Naturally, if you focus on quality deliverables and credible resources in the area in which you truly shine, your followers will notice.
Engage
You may have the most valuable insights in your niche of anyone claiming to know anything, but they aren’t helping anyone if you don’t share. Putting out content alone doesn’t build trust. Engagement is key to ensuring you are heard. Be sure to cast a wide net, connecting with a range of people in your industry through networking of all shapes and sizes. Whether it be as simple as commenting on social media posts or guest blogging, engaging with other people’s channels is just as important as being consistent with your own.
Personalize
Next, while you may be a single contributor working for a larger company, it’s important to speak from personal expertise instead of hiding behind your brand name. People want to engage with real people, not companies at large. The human element also helps your message not come across as overly promotional. Most importantly, authentic thought leaders focus on distilling complicated information. By coming alongside them and putting yourself in their shoes, your audience will feel understood while listening to your message.
A huge piece of authentic thought leadership continually improving yourself and your brand. If your public presence is missing focus, engagement, or personalization, start infusing those elements into your strategy for next quarter. You could even start sooner! This will ensure you have a powerful personal brand that is highly visible not just within an organization, but among several related industries.
Need more help with your messaging? Want a more personalized story? Our content strategists are at the ready with a fresh outside perspective and can take a deep dive into your story. Reach out today for a free quote!
