How to Become a Thought Leader on LinkedIn

Thought leaders are informed opinion leaders and the go-to people in their field of expertise. They are people who offer guidance and insight to others in their industry.

Attaining the status of “thought leader” is an elusive goal that many business leaders and executives strive for, as building your thought leadership with the right people and in the right places builds trust and credibility with customers, along with making yourself a well-known and go-to voice, which of course can open up limitless opportunities. 

However, becoming a thought leader is not something that happens overnight. It requires patience, dedication, and education, as well as a solid strategy. 

LinkedIn is one of the best platforms out there for small business owners and, hence, a great place to build up your thought leadership. But how? We’ve put together four tips to assist in your strategy for becoming a thought leader.

1. Be clear with your area of expertise

Thought leaders need to be clear and consistent with their insights and the messages that they are delivering through LinkedIn. Creating a niche market or a specific area of expertise will help make your brand stand out, along with establishing credibility. 

It is best to hone in on what you know best within your industry and go deep on those smaller topics rather than covering every single area. 

2. Keep learning

At Growleady, we are firm believers that we have to always be continuously learning. We share books, podcasts, and courses with one another on a weekly basis and ensure that each day we are doing something to learn more and more. Even as a thought leader, we would encourage you to do the same!

Thought leaders may be experts in their field, but every industry is ever-evolving. There are always changes in trends and how things work. As a thought leader, you need to stay up-to-date on these changes so you can share and comment on them. 

Being a thought leader requires forward-thinking and the dedication to study and research changing industry dynamics on a regular basis. 

3. Think about your audience

What’s most important is that you are talking about things that your audience wants to hear. But how do I know what my audience wants to hear, you may ask?

Think about the common issues and questions that people have when it comes to your expertise. What do people request help with the most? Take time to review the messages and questions that come into your email or that appear in the comments section of your posts. Check your LinkedIn messages and see what questions people have for you there.

If you’re thinking, “What should I post about today?” it's likely you’ll be able to find an answer right in your inbox.

4. Stay authentic

A study found that 90% of consumers said that authenticity is important when deciding what brands to trust and support. 

If you take a close look and analyze those people who are thought leaders on LinkedIn and those who are perhaps trying but not quite getting there, I’m sure you’ll notice a difference in something—authenticity.

In today’s world, authenticity is what people seek, trust, and act on most. Show people who you really are and be the real you!