#1- Define yourself
What do you have to say? Does it add value or is it unique? If you're not sure, read articles and blog posts about your industry, and offer your opinion on the articles.
If you don't have an opinion, you have bigger problems, and that’s where we can help.
#2- Become part of the conversation
Where do they live? What are they talking about? What is important to them? Years ago, I was interviewing at Buddy Media with then CEO Michael Lazerow.
I had been doing everything I could to impress Mike and get the job. Nothing was working. The one thing that did get his attention was my comment on Fred Wilson's blog. Michael had interest in venture capital and respected Fred's thoughts on his blog.
Because I was part of that conversation, it got Michael's attention and I got the job
#3- Define where do you want to publish your content
The best way that I know how to build your personal brand and become a thought leader is to buy your personal URL. FIRST name, LAST name DOT COM. If you have a common name, add your middle initial. If you need help with website development in orange county. let us know
This step will help with name recognition and personal brand equity.
Here is a free 24 step tutorial to launch your blog in 15 minutes or less. When I was getting started in social media, I published content on FacebookShouldHireMe.com.
Owning your name url or a creative url that has something to do with your industry is a great first step. Or take a baby step and publish on LinkedIn, or Medium.
Both platforms already have an huge audience. If you have great content, it will be a powerful step.
#4- Test topic ideas
My first ideas for blog content came from reviewing industry trades and offering opinion. The best way to test your topic ideas is to review Google Trends, and see what people are paying attention to.
Find respected leaders in your industry on Twitter. Review what they're creating, and what they're reading. Read as much as you can, from as wide an array of publications as you can.
The more you read the more ideas you'll have. A great first step is to read content outside of your industry, and try to find synergy within your industry.
I once received inspiration from a Harvard Business Review article. Combining that inspiration, with an industry issue about the fatal flaw of paying for performance helped produce one of my first popular blog posts.
#5- Begin to write content & leverage technology to help
You can't become a thought leader if you're not publishing content. If you have the personality for it, you can begin a video blog. Most begin by writing.
- Hemingway app
This app will help you become a better writer. I'm using it to write this article now. Here's how it works: The app ranks your writing with a score, which tells you what grade level you're writing at -- fourth-grade, fifth-grade, etc.
The app will advise you on how to write clearer sentences that can be easily digested by your readers.
- Co-Schedule Hadline Analyzer.
The free blog post headline analyzer will score your overall headline quality and rate its ability to result in social shares, increased traffic, and SEO value.
- SumoMe
Provides you with tools to grow your website's traffic. It allows you to add emails to your list - so you can market your content to your readership.
#6- Engage and build your platform
Now that you have a repository of content, you've got to market your wares. Some readers will discover you organically, but it helps to promote yourself.
Tweeting content is good. Tweeting to editors with a personal touch is better. Posting on Facebook is good. Posting and tagging an author you respect and quoted in your article is better.
I believe that the most powerful step you can take is generating an email list. Once you have an engaged email list, you tap into the power of amplification. Your loyal readers will share your content for you, becoming brand advocates