Ah, thought leadership—the phrase that’s been ruined by every guy on LinkedIn who calls himself a “visionary” and posts about waking up at 4:30 a.m. to meditate with his dog. But here’s the thing:
You need to be known for something.
Not famous. Not viral. Just visible and respected in your corner of the internet.
Because being good isn’t good enough if no one knows you exist.
What Real Thought Leadership Looks Like
It’s not buzzwords, inspirational quotes, or pretending to have your life together.
It’s you showing up to say:
“Here’s what I know, here’s what I’ve learned, and here’s how I can help.”
That’s it. Thought leadership is just strategic generosity—you share useful ideas so people realize you’re the one to call when they’re ready to get serious.
And the beauty? You’re not shouting into the void.
You’re building a trail of trust.
How to Start Leading (Without Being a Cornball)
1. Pick your soapbox
Where do your clients hang out? That’s where you need to be.
Could be:
- LinkedIn (great for B2B pros)
- Your newsletter (for people who love your brain)
- Guest posts or podcasts (borrow someone else’s audience)
- A blog on your own site (hello, SEO goldmine)
2. Share ideas, not content
Don’t write for algorithms. Write for people who pay invoices.
That means:
- Case studies that show your process
- Breakdowns of client wins (or honest failures)
- Opinions about industry trends (just don’t be a contrarian-for-hire)
- “How I got this result” walkthroughs
3. Stay consistent
You don’t need to post daily. You just need to show up often enough that people remember your name.
Pro tip: Set a schedule you can stick to. Weekly is great. Biweekly works. Monthly?
You better bring the heat.
The “Why You?” Factor
Remember: your experience, your tone, your voice—it all counts.
Don’t try to sound like the Top 10 LinkedIn Influencers of 2025.
Sound like you—only a little more polished, a little more intentional.
People hire people. And seasoned clients want to hire someone who’s seen some things, solved some problems, and doesn’t blink when things go sideways.
The Endgame: Trust on Tap
When you lead with value, a funny thing happens: you stop chasing clients. They start chasing you.
You stop selling. You start getting referred.
You stop explaining why you’re worth it. People already know.
That’s thought leadership done right.
Up next: You’re doing the work, you’re showing your value—so why the hell aren’t you charging more?
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