Want To Become a Thought Leader? Try Content Marketing

Do you consider yourself to be a thought leader?

Thought Leader: defined by Oxford as one whose views on a subject are taken to be authoritative and influential.

When I first started my web design business, I launched my blog & email list because all the online experts said that I should. When you don’t know any better, you take advice from others who went before you, convinced they must know what they’re talking about, right?

Leaders Show Up

If You Want to be a thought leader, show up and share what you know

While I haven’t been as regular as I would like when it comes to my marketing game, I’ve seen the value in showing up online. Yes, the majority of my client work comes from referrals but a good percentage also comes from content I’ve shared on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google search via my blog.

On the flip side, I’ve also seen the drop in leads that comes when my efforts have shrunk to zero. Proof that this stuff really does work & that some form of consistency is important.

I’ve also noticed from my own purchasing habits that creating content pays off. I purchase from the people that regularly show up in my feed or inbox. Most of the time their content is super helpful so when they have an offer, I’m perfectly primed for the sale. However, the people that appear once in a blue moon with a random offer? Well, I’ve either forgotten who they are or I’m not invested in them enough to purchase.

So, in my web design business, I continue to pursue content creation as a means of building brand awareness & connecting with my audience – you! What that looks like for me is starting to shift as I think about the deeper meaning & purpose of my business.

As service providers, we are natural givers. A thought leader freely gives what they know to help others.

Our businesses exist to help others. Our legacy is about so much more than how many zero’s are in our revenue number at the end of each year. It’s about how many people we’ve helped and the impact we’ve made. Money makes our lives easier and perhaps more pleasurable but true happiness comes from how much we give.

And there is only so much you can do when it comes to 1 on 1 service offerings. But sharing knowledge? Your reach has so much more potential. It opens up opportunities for 1 to many offerings like physical products, digital products, memberships, masterminds and so much more.

What happens when you share what you know consistently? 

You become an authority and influencer in your industry. People want to work with you, hear from you, buy from you and learn from – yes, you!

Do you share what you know?

Does being a thought leader in your industry resonate with you?

Part of my content curation plan has always been to hone my writing skills. I’ll be doing a lot more of this over on twitter. Come check out my progress and say hello!