{"id":1994,"date":"2022-09-02T14:14:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-02T14:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iamdanram.com\/blog\/?p=1994"},"modified":"2023-01-19T21:27:10","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T21:27:10","slug":"how-to-become-a-thought-leader-from-square-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iamdanram.com\/blog\/how-to-become-a-thought-leader-from-square-one\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Become A Thought Leader From Square One"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Guest blogger: Taylorr Payne<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/em>In this day and age, there\u2019s no such thing as a jack of all trades. Whether you\u2019re a professional, employee, or business owner, it\u2019s never been more important to be an expert in your specific field. A thought leader is an individual or firm that is recognized as one of the best authorities in a specialized area. While all entrepreneurs agree becoming a thought leader is a worthwhile goal, knowing how to become a thought leader, in reality, isn\u2019t always clear.
Though its use and practice vary in scale, becoming a thought leader isn\u2019t always simple. One becomes a thought leader through expertise, education, and reputation. This isn\u2019t something that happens overnight. It takes dedication and know-how to become an \u201cexpert of experts.\u201d It\u2019s common to see influencers and aspiring gurus refer to themselves as thought leaders, but this is a title that\u2019s earned.
However, thought leadership<\/a> isn\u2019t just about reputation alone. It also has the potential to pay in a very real, monetary way. According to LinkedIn\u2019s research<\/a>, a reported 60% of business decision-makers decided to give business to an organization because of thought leadership. Thought leadership can boost your growth amongst existing customers, and it can also attract new ones. No matter your industry, this is a goal worth focusing on.
With that in mind, how do you become a thought leader from square one? If you don\u2019t already have a lengthy resume or history of publicity, how do you get started? The good news is there are no barriers to entry for thought leadership. With a bit of targeted planning and real-world action, anyone can become a respected thought leader in their space. In this guide, we\u2019ll break down the beginning, intermediate, and advanced steps to take you from zero to hero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Thought<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beginning Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


To begin, you need to recognize that becoming a thought leader is far from one-and-done. There is no magic formula to transform yourself into a top-tier expert overnight. Reputation and trust take time to build, especially if you want your authority to be trustworthy.
The initial steps below help you articulate what it is that makes you stand out. As mentioned before, you can\u2019t serve everyone and do everything. As a thought leader, you need to hone in on your unique offering, skills, and expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Define Who You Serve & How<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


First, never try to please everyone. One of the biggest misconceptions about becoming a thought leader is that you have to be universally liked and trusted. In reality, you need to specify your focus to identify a clear, distinct audience. You can\u2019t market your expertise to everyone or you\u2019ll spread yourself too thin.
When you specify your focus, you can be more detailed and useful with the content you do create. Whether you\u2019re posting on social media, writing publications, or speaking publicly, you need a clear audience in mind. When you\u2019re a highly skilled expert amongst a specific audience, it\u2019s much easier to market your worth. In other words, you can charge more for what you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Network & Attend Events Within Your Focus Industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Next, you need to put yourself out there. Thought leaders don\u2019t spend their time in the office isolating themselves from others. While there is a time and place for everything, you need to actively network and attend events. Again, these networking opportunities should target your specific industry. When you put yourself out there, you have more opportunities.
A great first step is to interact with professional speakers who are already making an impact in your space. You can find events through the National Speakers Association (NSA<\/a>) in the U.S., the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS<\/a>) in Canada, and the Global Speakers Federation (GSB<\/a>).
More specifically, the NSA has local chapters for those looking to target specific geographical regions. It\u2019s also a smart idea to find events related to your specific industry, such as SHRM conferences for HR professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Launch A Personal Brand & Website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Another important step is to create a personal brand and a website. Not only is creating a personal website easier than ever, but it\u2019s a necessary part of living in the digital age. While you can (and should) create social media profiles, you\u2019re not fully in control of these platforms. When you create your own website, you\u2019re in the driver\u2019s seat with your branding, audience, and subscribers. Better yet, this serves as a digital portfolio and content hub.
However, don\u2019t slap together a quick webpage and click publish. Studies show that you have only 0.05 seconds<\/a> to make a first impression with your online presence. While you shouldn\u2019t judge a book by its cover, users certainly are quick to judge web pages. For inspiration, browse these 25 speaker website<\/a> examples that make the right impression.
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Participate Consistently & Across Channels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Building a website and social media presence is only the first step. From there, you need to actively participate and create a schedule for posting across channels. Not only can you show your audience that you\u2019re engaged in your industry, but you\u2019ll also learn more about your niche along the way.
If you post and ghost, you send the impression that you don\u2019t really care about the latest happenings in your space. On the other hand, when you share other content, create your own posts, and engage with followers, you\u2019re a trusted member of the community. While you don\u2019t have to post every day, define a schedule that works for your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Speak For Free In Your Focus Industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, you can\u2019t expect to charge the big bucks<\/a> right away. In a perfect world, everyone would be paid generously for their speaking efforts right off the bat. In reality, sometimes you have to do a bit of work for free to prove your value. When you speak for free in your focus industry, you build your audience and prove your expertise. This is also a valuable way to gain testimonials, feedback, and contacts.
While you don\u2019t want to get trapped in a cycle of speaking for free forever, this is a great way to get your foot in the door. If you want to become a thought leader from square one, you need to start acting like a thought leader. That means speaking at events, showing up, and making a lasting impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Intermediate Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have a strong foundation, it\u2019s time to create a more targeted strategy. This is when you put the pedal to the metal to become an invaluable part of your industry. Now that you have a personal brand and some trusted experience, continue to these intermediate steps below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Start A Basic Content Strategy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, create a content strategy. Content strategies aren\u2019t just essential for big-name brands. They\u2019re also valuable for professionals and thought leaders of all shapes and sizes. Content marketing is the most powerful way to build your reach while educating your audience.
What goes into a successful content strategy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n