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Every ukbusinessupdates.com knows that a critical aspect of growing their business and taking your brand to the next level is to act as a thought leader in your field. For example, we’ve all marveled at the CEO sharing words of wisdom on LinkedIn or the icon names behind our favorite newsletters and podcasts. But when it comes time to build your credibility and find your audience, it may seem impossible to know where to start. Social media is busy these days – how does one stand out from the crowd?
Lucky there to be ways to make sure your voice is heard and stands out in battle. Becoming a thought leader takes dedication and hard work, but it can be done with the right strategy and an honest approach. Read on for five crucial tips for becoming a go-to voice in your field.
Related: 5 tips for using LinkedIn to become a bona fide thought leader
Step 1: Develop your own voice
Before embarking on any other aspect of becoming a thought leader, it is crucial to define your own voice. The public today is very aware of falsehood and is quick to pick up on false optimism or incorrect knowledge. Whether you’re talking about past failures, insecurities, or weaknesses, remember to stay true to yourself and your expertise when sharing your insights.
Similarly, you can only truly stand out from the crowd by being yourself! From your sense of humor to your creative vision, leaning on your unique point of view will set you apart from others and develop engaged, loyal followers. Don’t try to mimic others you already see in the field. Originality always wins.
Related: How to showcase your expertise and become a thought leader
Step 2: Use each platform carefully
Once you know your point of view, you need to figure out how to leverage your learnings and insights across the various social platforms. Today’s wide array of social platforms have very different uses and audiences, so you’ll want to share your views in a variety of ways, while staying true to your overall message.
LinkedIn, for example, is primarily text-based, with room for occasional video and image posts. It’s also a platform designed to engage and encourage others, so lean into the community aspect.
Meanwhile, video-first platforms like TikTok and Instagram have completely different best practices; maybe you want to delve into trending sounds and share memes or stories from your POV in short clips. And if you’re posting to Twitter, you’ll want to condense your message into short, text-only posts. Each platform offers significant benefits when used correctly, so research (and use) them before posting, and don’t try a one-size-fits-all strategy.
Related: 10 tips for developing your personal brand through thought leadership
Step 3: Listen to others
The phrase “thought leader” makes it seem like you’re always the one leading the conversation, but don’t forget that you need to listen to others too! An essential part of remaining an authority in your field is constantly seeking to learn and grow. From reading books and articles to respecting different voices, make room in your life to expand your mind so you can stay at the top of your game.
Another essential element of listening is never to pretend you have authority or knowledge when you don’t. If a subject isn’t in your wheelhouse, that’s okay! Your audience will respect you more if you can acknowledge your information gaps, especially if you can take constructive criticism when you encounter it.
Related: 50 Strategies to Become a Leader in Your Field
Step 4: Analyze what works
When you’re building your audience and brand, you’ll want to periodically take a step back and see what resonates with people. Do certain parts of your post get more positive feedback than others? Are there specific questions that keep popping up?
Be sure to include all stats and audience feedback in your posting schedule so you’re not just speaking into thin air. Your audience wants to feel like they’re having a two-way conversation, so distilling your message down to what they want to learn is key to an engaged, long-lasting audience relationship.
Related: 4 proactive habits to build the career you want
Step 5: Enter the real world
While social media, blogs, and podcasts are crucial to thought leadership in today’s modern age, don’t forget to get out from behind your computer screen from time to time. Real life conversations can greatly aid your thought leadership growth and show online audiences that you genuinely care about your industry.
Attend conferences and panels in your field and take the opportunity to network with others. Even simple coffee dates are a great way to carve out regular time for real discussions. While it may seem simple to develop your brand online, much of entrepreneurship still relies on face-to-face conversation – so don’t forget to make time to make those real connections.
