Power Marketing Tip #59: How to be recognized as a thought leader

 

Do you want to be recognized as a thought leader in your field?

 

When you are perceived to be a thought leader you will

• Be quoted often by the media
• Be able to charge more money
• Attract a better clientele
• Be presented with better opportunities
• Attract followers

There are three things that you need to do to be seen as a thought leader.

Write
Write and publish on your topic. Social media isn't enough to establish your position although it could be used to build your following.

The simplest way to publish your writing is on a blog. Regular - at least weekly posts of 100 to 800 words will force you to explore and research your topic. Q & A's and tips lists are popular formats.

It also helps to publish your works in traditional print media - magazines and newspapers. A book is the highest form of print publication. Even an ebook will boost your credibility.

Speak
Speaking can take the form of delivering a speech at a chamber, association or community event. An easy way to get started is by speaking to schools, service groups or Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, London, England. Apparently Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell made speeches there.

Deliver training programs for clients, prospects or colleagues. The more you stand and speak in front of others the more opportunity to convey your expertise and teach others. Teaching forces you to better understand your topic. You also gain the experience of their questions and perspective.

Disrupt
If you do only the first two you might be noticed and even recognized as an adept. But you won't be seen as a thought leader until you disrupt the status quo. Leaders don't follow the herd.

That means taking a position that is contrary to the masses. If everyone knows that the world is flat then you need to explain why it's round. If everyone knows that the world is round, then you might take the position that it's flat or oblong.

A thought leader must disrupt common beliefs or practices. True disruption means asking the questions that others are avoiding and posing ideas that most haven't considered.

If you want to be seen as a thought leader then be willing to write, speak and disrupt.

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter