The concept of thought leadership is not new. In fact, it has been around for years – especially in professional services firms where reputations rest on demonstrating 
expertise.
It’s still a viable concept, however. As the go-to experts for information, guidance, ideas and inspiration, thought leaders attain national prominence as leaders in their field.
But being recognized as a thought leader does not happen overnight. It’s a step-by-step process. If you would like to become a thought leader in your field, one of the best ways is to take some of the ideas and concepts that you have found helpful in your career and turn them into articles to submit to publications that can establish you as a credible industry expert.
Here are some tips to help you on your way to becoming a published thought leader:
- Have something to say. Your article should be relevant to today’s business issues, regardless of the industry you represent. It should contribute to the current conversation and predict trends for the future. Finally, it should inspire others to implement your ideas.
- Speak to your target audience. Especially in trade publications, your article should address industry-specific challenges and issues. And don’t forget that every publication has its editorial requirements; you should be familiar with them before writing your article.
- Present your ideas in an engaging way. Even when you are seeking to be published in a magazine serving your industry, you will need to write your article for readers who, while intelligent, are probably not as steeped in your subject as you are. Write clearly in a conversational tone and avoid technical jargon.
- Do not openly promote yourself or your business in your article. Recognition is a funny thing. Sometimes the harder you try to get recognized, the less successful you are. Demonstrate your expertise through recognizing others’ work in your pieces and jumping off from what they say to talk about your ideas. You and your company will be identified at the end of the article.
- Remember that getting recognized takes time. Persistence can pay off. Get published as often as you can – guest opinion pieces in publications or blogs serving your industry can lead to business publications and gradually more mainstream media attention. And by all means, get help from a professional writer if you need it. You will save time and money in the long run.
Posted by Margot Dimond