Nowadays, there are so many words flying around in the financial services industry. The term ”thought leader” or ”thought leadership” falls into this category now. However, thought leadership is more than just a fancy word. It is a way of creating a stand-out brand that clients and prospects as well are drawn to. Something that even other advisors want to be a part of. As a thought leader, you have more influence than an average advisor. This positions you as an expert in your specific area of focus.
Truly, serving clients is your first priority on a daily basis. However, becoming a thought leader should be your second. By doing this, it is necessary to understand that thought leadership is not your pitch or sales presentation. It actually goes beyond day-to-day business and client interactions. Here are some simple ways to becoming a thought leader in 2019. First, it’s important to know who a thought leader is.
Who is a thought leader?
A thought leader is an individual who can influence a larger audience through intellectual, innovative or pioneering thinking. A thought leader can be described as an influencer. With so many influencers in the world, it requires uniqueness to make you stand out. Here are some clear ways that you can be a thought leader:
Create a different message
Most financial advisors offer similar products and services to clients. However, it’s necessary for you to be different. A thought leader’s job is massive. However, there are so many thought leaders available in today’s marketplace, ensuring that you create a message that is unique is very important. This process goes beyond showing your years of qualifications, or your achievements. Your special message should show who you want to have as a client. As well, it should reflect throughout your whole brand and marketing strategy.
Make your content Engaging
After developing a unique message, it is a great idea to transfer this message into great content. As a thought leader in today’s digital world, prospective clients can easily Google any term and the results will be in thousands. Even though sources may vary, the format and message are the same. Creating great content is awesome. However, creating a unique content that goes beyond what every other advisor is publishing is the perfect bet.
Content that is generic always uses very heavy industry jargon. Most times, it is also badly written. Good and engaging contents are like long-form blog posts, case studies or white papers. These are a great and effective way to separate yourself from the competition. You will also be providing important and valuable information to your readers. Another great option is videos and infographics. When it comes to engagement concerning thought leadership, these also hit the mark. Make sure that whatever you’re writing about is relevant to today’s marketplace and always make sure it is as unique as possible.
Digitally Distribute
Sharing your content the right way is one of the most important steps to take. You may have had great content and everyone has applauded you for it. However, if you do not get it across to the larger audience through the right digital platform, your effort may have as well been wasted. The internet is usually the first place clients go to gather information. Thus, ensure that your own content is there. Create your own blog or website. People who are familiar with your content will find it easily. Then, proceed by expanding your most valuable contents to other mediums. Mediums like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are considerable examples. Truly, these social media channels will help you get a wider reach in mere seconds especially if you have quality content.
Engage with your followers
Just sharing content is not enough. Make sure to stage engagements yourself. For instance, if you have comments on one of your posts, make sure to respond on time. Also, another smart way to stay in the game is to take part in group discussions. Another suggestion is joining specific groups on social media that bring together your ideal clients. Make sure you always share your thoughts in the comments through your own posts or on others. It will also be of great benefit if you link back to influencers in the fields. This is whether they are companies, individuals, or news sources. When you start to build your relationship with outside sources, get them to share your work to their audiences as well.
A Thought Leader should Do More Engagement
All of these actions will most definitely end up leading you down the path of thought leadership. However, have this in mind. Your message has to first resonate with important people in order for you to truly achieve that prestigious title. Also, if you’re sharing a perspective or information that will make people think twice, then you’re on the right track. Keep in mind that the ultimate goal for a thought leader is influence. This is really what all these strategic guides are all for. Always create a message that is extremely unique and focused.
Then create content specifically for your ideal clients. As much as possible, get your message in front of the ideal audience. Use a large range of digital avenues and don’t forget to stay engaged yourself. True thought leadership does not come easily. However, making use of these strategies in a very smart way is the most effective way to start your journey.
Before you know it, a message you shared on your blog may appear at a very important platform. Being a thought leader in the digital era has a great advantage. The presence of social media and the internet has made it even easier to interact with the audience easily. You can also get access to more publicity via several online platforms. Thus, being a thought leader has even become easier than it used to be.
