10 Indicators You Should Invest in Thought Leadership in 2021

The concept of thought leadership is exciting, particularly as more research begins to demonstrate just how much B2B consumers value an organisation's thought leadership efforts.

Of course, before you leap into thought leadership, to decide whether or not you should invest in this specific marketing strategy, you will want to examine the company, its purpose, and values carefully.

10 indicators that you should take the plunge into the thought leadership 

Thought leadership is much more than merely being the face of an organisation or speaking publicly to help motivate your audience to reach their dreams. 

Thought leadership is a long-term marketing strategy that helps you position yourself and your business as a leader in your industry and allows you to create deep, enduring relationships with your ideal audience. 

Not sure if you are cut out for leadership of thought? Here are 10 signs that you might be more competent and ready than you thought.

1. Have an urge to Educate

One of the first indicators that may suggest a worthwhile investment in thought leadership is that you value continuous education for yourself or your organisation. You realise that it's not only important to study the industry as it evolves, it's essential. And you can spread knowledge to those in your business instead of hoarding data for yourself.

2. Have a Passion for multimedia and in-person speech/interaction

Being an involved opinion leader needs you to have a passion for speaking and engaging with others in public. Although this used to mean prioritising public speaking engagements and attending various conferences, it now means that you can take on virtual activities and have developed your writing skills to match the passion you have in your voice.

3. In anticipating the needs of your customer, use current events.

The need for more event-driven content and discussions is one upcoming trend that has been established in the thought leadership industry. If professionals have learnt little from the pandemic and resulting disasters of 2020, the world's events will have significant impacts on all sectors.

One upcoming trend that has been identified in the thought leadership industry is the need for more and conversations. If the pandemic and resulting crises of 2020 taught professionals anything, the world's events can and will have massive impacts on all industries. 

As a thought leader, this involves communicating the world's current affairs to the audience and knowing how they will be influenced.

4. Get insecure

Since it makes them human, customers seek vulnerability from their thought leaders. If you can be honest about your shortcomings as much as you are about your accomplishments, you might be an excellent candidate for thought leadership. 

It tells your ideal audience that you can benefit from mistakes by demonstrating that you are vulnerable and adaptable. It also shows them that you respect integrity, which will encourage relationships of confidence. 

5. Technology isn't afraid of you

Let's face it - If the technology has not already taken over every part of corporations, the 2020 pandemic has permanently solidified its position. With more events remaining virtual and more importance being placed on digital content than ever before – if you are willing to take on varying forms of technology to reach your audience, you have nothing to worry about. 

With more events remaining virtual and more emphasis being put on digital content than ever before, you have little to worry about if you can take on different types of technology to meet your audience.

6. Partnerships Get You Excited

One misunderstanding of thought leadership is that you consider it as the best of the best. No, as an authoritative figure, thought leadership identifies you. 

To become that authoritative figure, you must claw your way up, which involves networking and collaborating with other industry members. Collaboration shows that you are willing to share the limelight, and your B2B consumers will respect you all the more for it. Why – because it shows them that you are out for their best interest, to help them find genuine solutions to their needs, even if it is not a solution you can provide them. 

7. You recognise that consumers are demanding research

With so many people making several claims lately, nobody knows whom they can and should trust. This is especially true when it comes to your B2B consumers. When researching organisations to do business with, they look for those who back up their claims with legitimate research. If you already value all that research can provide you and your industry, you will be much closer to being an ideal thought leader. 

8. Your Message Reflects in Your Values

Whether you are speaking for your brand or an organisation, it's essential to know that, as a thought leader, you will need a message worth sharing, and that message needs to reflect your values. 

Many working professionals claim that when they choose someone to follow or work with, they choose someone with similar beliefs and values as themselves. Therefore, your message must reflect your values, and as a thought leader, you won't hold back when it comes to sharing content that aligns with your audience's values. 

9. Relationships and Trust Mean More to You Than a Sale

Yes, you understand that to be successful, you need to make a sale. However, you also know that you must first invest in loyalty and customer retention to make a sale. A study by Forrester predicted that spending on these two areas would increase by approximately 30% in 2021. 

If you've already committed to an open and honest relationship between you and your audience, then you are already one step ahead of most people who are considering thought leadership in 2021.

10. Agile is Your Middle Name

Finally, if one of your primary skills is the ability to identify change and adjust accordingly, especially within a moment's notice, then you'll make an exemplary thought leader. 

The best thought leaders are agile leaders that can use their research to identify industry gaps, changes in consumer behaviours, and act upon them before anyone else can. If you consider yourself an agile individual, investing in thought leadership or becoming a thought leader isn't that farfetched. 

Your Consumers Demand Thought Leadership

Finally, it's essential to realise that your audience demands thought leadership. If they can't find it from you, then they will have no problem turning their attention elsewhere. So, instead of asking yourself, "what if," why not take the leap and get started?