Every entrepreneur in their right mind should be working their tail off to be seen as a thought leader – someone who innovates and leads – in their industry.
In the ‘olden days’ of business, this would have meant putting in those 10,000 hours that everyone assumes you need to clock-up to get yourself to ‘expert status’ in a chosen niche. However, as I’ve been saying time and time again recently – things have changed.
We’re no longer in the 80’s, where the thought of small businesses having a client base all around the world was just as far fetched as the idea of being able to converse with those customers using something as ridiculous as ‘electronic mail’ – even though email is now the number one ‘tool’ used in business every minute of every day.
Being Found and Making an Impression.
Being found, getting noticed and fundamentally becoming remembered for what you do and how you do it is easier today than it ever has been in the history of western civilization.
It’s awesome!
We now live in a world where as long as we have thoughts, ideas and experiences, we’re in a position to help people and become recognized as the go-to source of up-to-date, innovative and game-changing information in any given sector.
Nowadays, the internet (and all the bells and whistles that it comes with) enables anyone with relevant experience in a certain industry to spend time researching on competition, focusing in on a their chosen niche and then positioning themselves as a thought leader in that space. And this all happens a hell of a lot quicker than it has traditionally taken in the past. Sometimes in a matter of just a few weeks, or months!
Really – It Truly IS ‘Our Time’!
As an entrepreneur and business owner, I regard myself – with 22-years of professional experience under my belt (10 of those years as a fully fledged entrepreneur) as someone that certainly has a lot to offer to those with less knowledge, or experience when it comes to my chosen niche of doing business in the 21st century – especially when it comes to the outsourcing side of that overall ‘New Business’ strategy.
Less than 3-years ago I was a nobody in the world of online business. However, today – even though I don’t claim to be the biggest name online (not by a loooong shot!) – I’m blessed to have thousands of subscribers and followers that tune in weekly to my blog, podcast, YouTube channel, Facebook community and other online offerings. All because they want to take their business to the next level by learning from me, and because I do my best to create the most actionable and game-changing content possible to enable exactly THAT to happen!
I’ve been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine (twice), on the cover of Globalization Today (the outsourcing industry’s periodical bible), listed as one of ‘The Rise to the Top’s’ 20 Unconventional Entrepreneurs, along with business author heavyweights Tim Ferriss, Chris Guillibeau and Seth Godin (yes, I’m on a list with them!), mentioned on news programs via the BBC and Forbes, been called the ‘King of Outsourcing’ and interviewed on more podcasts and other press mediums than I can remember.
None of this happened by luck.
It happened because I worked my ass off to get the recognition I craved (and if I’m being totally honest, deserved) from my peers and those associated with my peers in one way or another.
And, I’m here to tell you that you too can achieve exactly the same results!
How You Can Become a ‘Thought Leader’, too!
As of today, we are officially on the first day of the last quarter of the year. Did you not know? If not, why not? You should. As a business owner, or wannapreneur you should be planning your company’s growth at least 2-3 quarters in advance. I do, and have done for years.
With that being said, I want to try and inspire all of you to work your behinds off in the next 90-days, and finish out the year on top of your game, and in a whole different light, in regards to the way that people look at you, and more importantly, look TO you, as someone that knows how to take care of business in a big way!
So, I’ve created this list of ten so-simple-you’ll-kick-yourself-for-not-coming-up-with-them-yourself tips and insights to keep in mind when going all-out to positioning yourself as a thought leader within your own chosen industry, or niche.
Here we go…
#1 – Thought Leaders Have an Abundance of Passion
If you don’t have plenty of passion, which is obvious to see to the naked eye of your would-be followers, stop and rethink your entire game! Without passion you’re not going to come across as someone who knows what they are talking about, or gets things done!
Look at Gary Vaynerchuk. Although he’s been a little quiet this year (to build his own company!), when Gary hit the speaking scene back in 2008 he did so in a HUGE WAY. He was everywhere. He was shouting, screaming and swearing at massive crowds all around the world and through his blog, to get his point and insights across. The result was a following that grew into the millions.
Without passion you’re not going to be memorable. At all.
#2 – Thought Leaders Have Market Respect
This is me having my photo taken for the second feature Entrepreneur Magazine did on me and my businesses… Awesome!
You have to be able to ‘prove’ your worth in your chosen niche.
Take myself as an example (why not, I mean it is MY blog, right!?) – I give out plenty of tips on outsourcing and working with virtual assistants.
I have a decade of experience in this market sector (which is fully checkable) and employ hundreds of people across three different companies, within the industry.
Who would you rather follow and talk to about outsourcing? Someone who gets invited and flown around the world to speak at international events on the subject, as well as someone that has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs find and incorporate quality VA’s into their overall business plans for growth – or, someone that has ‘maybe’ used a VA themselves in the past and only been talking about the subject of virtual assistants for a couple of years
If you’re a smart businessperson, it’s a no-brainer.
So, make sure you’ve earned your stripes, or forget about it!
#3 – Thought Leaders Know Other Thought Leaders
Rub shoulders with the best that you can find. Both online, AND offline. I read somewhere recently that we become the average of the five people we talk and hang out with the most.
So, network like mad. Make the right friends and allies for the RIGHT REASONS, and be sure to get out of your office and attend some conferences and events – even if it means getting on a plane. I’ve lived in the Philippines for 12-years, but that doesn’t stop me from attending and speaking at events all around the world several times each year.
The great thing here is that once you’ve created the right connections, those thought leaders themselves will naturally start mentioning you to their followers, subscribers, readers, etc., on a regular basis. This instantly promotes you to their level and status, too!
It’s like guilt by association – but, in reverse!
#4 – Thought Leaders Have Market Reach
As my good buddy Pat Flynn always says, you need to “Be Everywhere”. Your face, your name, your logo, your brand – what you want to be known for!
If you’re literally ‘everywhere’ people will see you, they’ll recognize you, and they’ll know you for what you stand for and for being the real deal.
Share the Tweetable:
The old adage ‘Fake it ,’til you make it!’ is BS! People can see right through that crap nowadays! [Tweet This!]
Work hard. Be interviewed, get featured on the radio, in magazines and talked about by other people. Twitter is great for that type of stuff as its so quick and easy to send out a tweet. For example – look at my ‘Tweetable’ above… Did you click the link? If not, do it now and find out what I’m talking about!
No, really… Do it NOW!
#5 – Thought Leaders Know What They Stand For
Generally speaking, this is the biggie. If you start off on one particular journey, focusing on becoming a thought leader in one particular niche, you can’t change your mind a few months into it, because it’s not ‘working out’ for you.
You can evolve and grow, of course. Brining more value to your followers in the process.
But, ultimately you have to stand by what you believe in, what you stand for. If you want to be the biggest thought leader in the ‘professional dog walking’ niche, then you better not only know how to walk dogs, but you better love it, and stick with it!
#6 – Thought Leaders Blog, Podcast and Star in Online Video
Blogging will enable your voice to be heard. The secret is to post consistently excellent content, not just ‘filler’, or fluff. As we discuss in the 7-Day ‘New Business’ Bootcamp, make sure your content is actionable (makes people take action), easy enough for ‘beginners’ in your niche to follow, and most importantly, original. It’s tough to be completely original nowadays, as there is simply just so much stuff out there on any given subject.
However, bringing your own voice to the piece of content you’re creating, along with relevant experience and personal stories – whether it is written, audio or video – is sometimes all you need to do to make it ‘your own’.
#7 – Thought Leaders Become Book Authors
Getting a book traditionally published, or even self-publishing a title is literally like walking around with a $19.99 business card.
Failing a ‘physical’ book, putting together a great eBook (Kindle books are all the rage right now) is a great way to be able to instantly boost your persona and gain more market share as a potential thought leader.
Again, make sure you include lots of examples of your experience in the niche you’re wanting to become known in, to ‘sell’ people one why they need to follow your work, and follow up with great reader replies, too, if people reach out to you.
Although you might not become rich from the book’s sales, you will get busy, that’s for sure!
#8 – Thought Leaders Thrive On Stage
Public speaking comes hand-in-hand with becoming a thought leader. It’s really very simple – you’re seen as an expert. People will pay to be in an audience to hear your speak on your chosen topics of choice.
I’ve personally spoken at events in the USA, UK, Thailand and the Philippines in the last couple of years. Is preparing for live events hard work? Absolutely. Is the pay off worth all the work – oh, yes.
If you’ve not done a lot of speaking before, start off looking towards local colleges and community centers to get your feet wet. Then, once you’ve gained some experience and confidence, approach some small companies and perhaps some non-profits about speaking at their events.
Eventually, the large conferences and expo’s will start knocking on your door.
NOTE: I have just been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming New Media Expo, which takes place in Vegas, January 2013. I look forward to hopefully seeing some of you there!
#9 – Thought Leaders are Featured in the Press
Getting your name and brand in magazines, journals or even newspapers is a lot easier than a lot of people think. Especially in todays digital world. Here’s an image of me scoring the front cover of ‘Digital Marketing Monthly‘, an iPad publication that goes out to thousands of readers, monthly.
CHRISDUCKER.COM PROMO:
Download the magazine app, click ‘subscribe’, select ‘current subscribers’ and then enter the code ‘3months’ and you’ll get this issue, plus two more absolutely FREE!
I was contacted by the publisher of this magazine about the feature, however, sometimes simply contacting the reporting department with a great piece of information, or content is all that’s needed to get your foot through the door.
Ultimately, when starting out, nobody will know you, so you’ll have to ask for coverage. Just like I did, and just like everyone else has to when they are at the beginning of their mission to be noticed.
Start off by contacting a handful of podcast hosts and favorite industry bloggers. Then perhaps write an article and send it into your local newspaper – perhaps, if it’s good enough, it’ll get picked up by a syndicated partner, nationally.
Bottom line – if you don’t ask, you won’t get!
#10 – Thought Leaders Become Advocates for their Industry
If you’re going to be known as someone who is a go-to person in a niche, then you better LOVE that niche. You have to get behind it all the way. And never stop talking about it, advocating it, preaching about it.
Holding some webinars (regardless of your list size), is a great way to be seen as someone ‘doing something positive’ in their industry. Not only that, but you can record the webinar and then either cut it up and use it to promote yourself on YouTube in several video clips, or you can have it transcribed into an eBook, or even turn it into an informational product and sell it online, creating passive income!
See where I’m going with all this? Just do something. Make it great and get it out there – in any and every way possible.
Conclusion
I’ve personally started seven different businesses, all of which have done relatively well (except one that tanked!), both in the ‘real’ world and the online world – for ouf them in the last 10-years.
I’ve also helped several other entrepreneur’s set-up many, many more in the form of a friendly coffee chat, or through my consultant services. And although I’m now seen as someone to turn to for information on my chosen niche topic(s), I have to be honest and say – I’ve learned something, personally, from every single business I’ve started, or helped startup.
That’s what I love about being an entrepreneur… you never stop learning.
Becoming the leader in your field might not be your biggest goal in life. However, from personal experience I can tell you, it sure as hell helps grow your businesses and have a lot of fun in the process – so, spend a little time thinking about it. Okay?
Has this post left you with more questions, than answers? Or, have I given you a good enough springboard to get started on your own personal ‘thought leader’ missions?!!
Please comment, as always, below. I love hearing from you.
