The Benefits of Becoming a Thought Leader in Your Industry

Thought Leadership is not a qualification. It is not where you attended school. It is not even about having the largest following. Thought Leadership entails continuously delivering the foremost, in-depth solutions to your customer's most pressing problems, in a form your audience enjoys. Being a thought leader entails developing and sharing material with the goal of being instructive and insightful, and adding overall value to not just prospective customers, but the industry as a whole. In short, it is all about the quality of your content.

Thought leadership is important because it expands existing ideas beyond their conventional boundaries, resulting in new perspectives. According to the 2020 Thought Leadership report from Survey Monkey, two-thirds of marketers (66%) consider thought leadership a "high priority" for their marketing team, yet just 26% believe their present program to be "successful". This could be due to one of the many pitfalls in thought leadership, such as generic content, and concepts that lack original insight or overly promote the advisor ­– rather than addressing the client's needs.

Thought leadership is not the platform to market your company's products and services, it serves to address challenges and provide solutions. Because the purchase cycle is lengthy and may involve many approvals, thought leadership provides a variety of benefits in most B2B content marketing scenarios. Building a connection requires trust and respect, and with the appropriate thought leadership content, you can instil these values.

You will reap the benefits if you put in the work, the time, and the effort

The rewards of thought leadership begin with brand affinity. You become a part of the conversation early in the consumer journey by communicating thought leadership and providing your audience with the opportunity to get to know you. Thought Leadership is one of the outcomes of a solid content strategy. Showcase your thought leaders, and you'll be on your way to becoming a socially responsible organisation, with real people communicating with real buyers. According to a Marketing Insider Group poll, the benefits of thought leadership are immense. 71% of marketers report higher website traffic as a result of thought leadership, while 62% state improved lead generation and 56% testify to increased media mentions.

Being a thought leader drives your prospects, just as the right PR team would. When you are acknowledged as an authority in your field, the industry will look to you for guidance. This can result in more visibility, especially if you are featured in reputable publications. Every day, a vast amount of information is published, and one of the most prevalent channels for identifying new ideas and trends is through thought leaders. You will gain further visibility if other content creators reference your work; you may even receive offers for collaborations from other companies.

Continuously providing valuable, factual information to individuals earns you credibility and rapport. Your peers will appreciate you for it, and they will be willing to help you in any way they can. Your customers will also trust you since you have given them something of value, making them more likely to choose your brand over a competitor. You can engage potential consumers while converting them into paying customers down the road by providing a valuable funnel of free content.

Thought leadership is when a leader's thoughts are being used by leaders to lead others

While generating new leads and revenue is vital, being a real expert in your profession and giving back to the community also has a lot of value. For many, this is one of the most important advantages – it just feels good to share what we know and assist others in their professional journeys. A passion for the subject matter and a willingness to do the work, are two of the most important indicators of success as a thought leader.

Becoming a thought leader in your industry is a gratifying experience that will provide you with a dedicated audience and a strong network of influencers to help you grow your brand. It takes time and the necessary attitude, but with the right temperament and consistency, it can propel your brand to new heights. Thought leaders are created by sweat, dedication, tenacity, and a commitment to learning. They approach their career with a genuine desire to make a positive impact in the world and contribute meaningfully to the important conversations that influence how we think and feel.