Thought Leadership: How To Become One

Thought leadership has become a hot topic. You may have heard people talk about thought leadership and suggested you become one, too. What is it? You might be wondering.

Take a moment to reflect on how you consume online content. Why is it that certain podcasts are always queued up on your phone? Or that you’ve chosen to pay for access to a particular online newspaper when so much content is free?

Chances are, if you’re anything like me, it’s not just about the content itself — it’s about the people behind it. Maybe the calm, familiar voice keeps you company during your morning walk. The writer whose turn of phrase makes even the mundane feel profound. Or the analyst whose insights open up new avenues of thought and research.

These individuals offer more than information — they create connection, perspective, and trust. More than anything, they share their experiences and expertise with deep passion.

In a world that is overflowing with online content, it’s these unique personalities and authoritative voices that make us stay. The human element, warmth, passion, expertise, and fresh point of view cut through and provide value.

This is where the power of thought leadership comes in.

What is thought leadership?

As you’ve now learned, a thought leader is an expert in their field. Thought leaders stand out from the crowd by generating innovative, fresh insights with a depth of knowledge that influences and drives positive results. When this happens, they attract prospects that flock toward them for advice and solutions. Thought leaders create conversation and memorable impacts, which means their brand is one you will always remember. Who wouldn’t want that?

Four benefits for your business

In a crowded content landscape, positioning yourself as an expert in your field of business can become a valuable currency. A SemRush survey showed over 50% of companies' CEOs and other high-level managers now create thought leadership content.

By becoming a thought leader and sharing your experience and expertise, you can

• Lead the industry: With one foot ahead of the game, you can share insights and information as they happen.

• Build credibility with clients: by sharing your knowledge and expertise, you build a foundation of trust amongst your customers, partners, and employees.  

• Gain a competitive advantage in your industry: What business doesn’t want to be more successful than its competitors? By being a thought leader and sharing content from a personal, unique perspective, you can differentiate yourself from your competitors and make a mark in the industry.

• Retain customer loyalty:  You can build a strong, ongoing bond with your customers through the knowledge you share with them. In turn, you benefit from repeat business and attract new customers.

Steps for becoming a thought leader

Now that you’re clued up on thought leadership (what it is and what the benefits are), there’s no doubt you’ll be eager to give it a go yourself.

Getting to this point where your audience trusts you can take some time. So be patient. To do it well, you’ll need to commit to depth and authenticity over an extended period. Ensure you’re not only crafting neatly worded headlines, but are putting thought and feeling into what you have to say and where you say it.

To guide you along, here are a few steps you can take.

1. Pick a platform: Be visible. Choose formats and platforms that suit your strengths and your audience, such as long-form blog posts, podcasts, speaking platforms, or written articles.

2. Leverage social media: Promoting your content on social media to amplify your efforts is a must. By doing so, you can increase your reach and followers.

3. Develop an online presence: You don’t want your content to get lost amongst the sea of all the other wonderful content you have generated. So, create a website or blog where the material will always be available through Google search.

4. Pick a topic: If you want to stand out, think about that one subject that brings out the fire of passion within you. An area in which your strengths lie, and you must share.

5. Get published: Getting your foot in the door of a publication and getting published can boost your credibility. But here’s the thing, it’s not as simple as it seems. A good PR agency can help with this if you have the budget. Or you can send the articles directly and keep your fingers crossed. But don’t be disheartened, with effort and perseverance, a door surely will open.  

Remember, weaving your opinion-led expertise into your existing content marketing isn’t just a nice-to-have idea; it’s a strategic imperative. By speaking with authority, passion and sharing your professional experiences, and articulating ideas that resonate, you can begin to make your business stand out.

Our Final Tips to Get There

To get you started, here are three ways that you can begin to develop your thought leadership through copywriting and content marketing:

1. Develop A Clear Point of View - you don’t want to echo what has already been said in your field, you want to interpret, critique, or reframe it. Ask yourself: What do I believe that others haven’t said (yet) or said clearly?

2. Write With Authority and Purpose - great copy should show depth. You should aim to be specific rather than general and offer solutions rather than highlight problems.

3. Tell Stories That Build Trust - Use storytelling in your copy to make your ideas relatable and memorable, such as failures and lessons learned, or successful client stories that bring your process to life.

If you consistently deliver value with a recognisable voice and perspective, people will start looking to you for content and direction.

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