Becoming an Industry Thought Leader

Most people think of thought leadership as a business buzzword that’s frequently tossed around, but there’s a lot more to thought leadership than most people think.

To become successful, there are several characteristics that every thought leader needs to have.

Thought leadership is a content marketing tool that business leaders use to share their industry knowledge and expertise, portraying themselves as experts.

As a thought leader, a business owner is able to stand out and make a positive impact on their industries or communities.

To do this, they must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of their field, and how people can solve different problems in it.

There are several characteristics that every thought leader should have, such as being forward-thinking, trustworthy, dedicated, and humble.

It’s important for thought leaders to remember that their job is to help and lead other people, and not just to promote their businesses.

Bylined Articles

One way that business owners can become thought leaders is by writing bylined articles in various publications.

These types of articles are helpful in getting a business owner’s voice heard, as well as in providing readers with a different perspective from someone that has a lot of industry experience.

Bylined articles can help leaders stand out from market competitors by showcasing their perspectives on different issues that are important to the industry, or to their business.

When creating bylined articles, business owners should focus on topics that will set them apart from the competition and should send their articles to the right publications.

For example, instead of business leaders focusing on getting published in the Wall Street Journal or Forbes, they should look at publications that are going to be more effective in reaching their target audience.

Additionally, instead of putting in more effort to pitch to a big-name publication, thought leaders and their companies can generate more credibility and influence by getting published in smaller outlets first, and going for those bigger publications later.

Starting Small

It takes a bit of time and effort to become a thought leader, which is why most business leaders have to start small in their thought leadership efforts.

The best way to go about becoming a thought leader is for business owners to establish their credibility by engaging with other industry experts.

To do that, they can become more vocal by sharing case studies or articles that are relevant to the industry, writing blog posts for the company’s blog or social media, and updating the owner’s social media and website bios to clearly convey the business owner’s expertise.

Speaking Engagements

Speaking engagements are a great way to get a business owner’s voice heard, and a way for business owners to engage with peers as well as with their target audiences.

To become well-rounded and professional, thought leaders need to know their target audience and listen to that audience.

This will help business owners create content that is catered to their needs.

Through speaking engagements, thought leaders can organically promote their expertise alongside their business operations, without coming across as too promotional.

Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the United States. With over 20 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America’s most prolific and well-respected Public Relations professionals.