You’ve probably heard the buzz about being a ‘thought leader’, right? But what does that actually mean for authors, and is it a goal worth chasing for you? Let’s break it down.
Firstly, what’s a thought leader anyway? Well, it’s someone who:
Stands Out as an Innovator and Influencer: Picture a person brimming with groundbreaking ideas and leading the charge in their field. They’re the ones we look to for inspiration and direction, setting trends, and mapping out what’s next.
Is an Expert and Authority: This is about having deep, rock-solid knowledge in a specific area. Think of someone whose advice is gold, and whose insights are eagerly sought by peers and the media alike.
Acts as a Change Agent and Visionary: Here’s someone who doesn’t just know their stuff but also pushes boundaries and sparks real change. They’re the trailblazers who question the usual ways and lead the march towards innovation.
So, how do you join this elite club? Spoiler alert: it’s more than just a fancy line in your bio. Being called a thought leader is an honor others bestow upon you, but we’ll save that discussion for another time.
Becoming a thought leader is not an overnight affair. It’s like the so-called ‘overnight successes’ you hear about, which are usually years in the making. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and commitment is key.
Here are three more nuggets on becoming a thought leader:
You Consistently Create and Share Fantastic Content: Your writing is your magic wand. Keep crafting content that’s not just informative but also packed with fresh perspectives. This could be through books, articles, blog posts, social media – you name it. The point is to stay relevant and solve real problems.
You Must Dive into Networking and Community Engagement: Get out there and mingle in your field. Use social media, attend conferences, join forums. It’s all about building relationships, boosting your visibility, and constantly learning and evolving. It may be with other authors, and also with groups devoted to the same subject matter as you are. Even an introvert must learn to have some fun and get out to mix with others.
Embrace Public Speaking and Workshops: Some call it “old school”, but it works. Hit the stage or host workshops. It’s a fantastic way to spread your ideas, establish your expertise, sell more books, and really connect with your audience.
Bottom Line
Remember, becoming a thought leader is a journey, but keep at it and you will see growth. Stay patient, stay hungry for knowledge, and always aim to make a positive impact in your field. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many authors who are rocking it as thought leaders, but they didn’t start that way. They worked it. Why not you?
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. Anything you want to do, you have to learn.
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