In today\u2019s virtual world, you need a positive digital footprint to succeed, whether you\u2019re a business leader looking to grow your company or a professional looking for a promotion or a new opportunity. Customers and hiring managers should be able to get a glimpse of your expertise when they search for you online and see how remarkable you are.<\/p>\n
A digital footprint is a collection of information about you and a trail of your online activities, including articles you\u2019ve written, comments you\u2019ve left on social channels and images you\u2019ve posted. Your digital footprint is further expanded today as you participate in virtual meetings and networking sessions via tools like Zoom, Clubhouse and Teams.<\/p>\n
I believe the digital era has vastly expanded opportunities for each of us to be seen as a thought leader and boost our digital footprint globally.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how you can become a thought leader and stand out in today\u2019s digital world.<\/p>\n
First, who is a thought leader? I define a thought leader as someone who is an expert in a specific field, a trusted source that people go to for answers and inspiration. And yes, many thought leaders have changed the world, disrupted industries and created profitable, purpose-driven brands. In reality, not everyone can be Jeff Bezos or the late Steve Jobs. But we all can be thought leaders in our respective areas.<\/p>\n
Here are a few tips that I use to turn experts into thought leaders.<\/p>\n
The first step is to identify why you want to be a thought leader. Be specific. Is it because you want to launch a company, expand your business or look for a new opportunity? Once you know the why, you can develop the strategy and decide how to best engage with your target audience. Also, if you are a founder, then you may want your personal brand to be at least slightly connected to your corporate brand so you can further grow the business. If you are an employee, your personal brand should be portable so you can carry that expertise with you as you join another company.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve decided to become a thought leader, take the plunge. Start working on your strategy, and find the partners who can help you on this journey. I\u2019ve often heard founders say, \u201cWe are in stealth mode,\u201d or \u201cOur product is still in development, so this is not a good time to start the thought leadership program.\u201d Building your digital presence doesn\u2019t happen overnight. It takes months to build credibility and a digital footprint, so don\u2019t wait. Start building your credibility as an expert even before you launch your product or company.<\/p>\n
We all have multiple skill sets. Therefore, we often struggle to narrow down an area or topic to focus on. For example, as an entrepreneur, you can talk about a variety of topics, from finding market fit and establishing a fundraising strategy to growing your business and exiting. As a tech expert, you can talk about software development in general or specific areas, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. By focusing on a topic, you can create content and speak more efficiently.<\/p>\n
Do an honest assessment, and see what medium you are most comfortable with \u2014 the written word, audio or video\/visual. Once you\u2019ve figured that out, you can begin creating original content in the form of a blog, podcast or short videos. My comfort zone, for example, is writing. Therefore, I\u2019ve allocated three to four hours a month for penning my insights on thought leadership and technology for the Boston Business Journal and Forbes. So, find your comfort zone, and identify one or two platforms to showcase your expertise instead of boiling the ocean.<\/p>\n
While you are thinking through your strategy, don\u2019t forget your visual brand positioning. Your personal brand must shine through via a bold and engaging image that reflects your personality and who you are. One of the ways to build a consistent visual brand is by working with corporate branding professionals who can \u201cposition\u201d you and create a custom image that humanizes your brand and makes you stand out in a crowd, regardless of the channel.<\/p>\n
Often, people confuse thought leadership with self-promotion. In fact, self-promotion can have a negative impact on your image, but showcasing your expertise to help others will boost your business. In a recent survey<\/a>, 88% of respondents said good thought leadership must advance business goals. So, share your expertise and educate the marketplace. Write or speak in a way that others will find helpful. Support and inspire future entrepreneurs or innovators with your words of wisdom.<\/p>\n Whether you are writing articles, hosting podcasts or creating video content, you must be consistent. I\u2019d suggest having a routine that\u2019s based on how much time you\u2019re willing to spend on this commitment. For example, if you want to spend six hours a month on your thought leadership, build a plan where you can regularly create and post original content \u2014 whether it\u2019s monthly or weekly \u2014 while engaging with your community and prospects on select digital channels.<\/p>\nBe seen and heard, consistently<\/h2>\n
The bottom line<\/h2>\n