How can you write persuasive thought leadership articles?

1 Know your purpose

Before you start writing, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your article. What is the main point you want to make? What is the value proposition for your readers? What is the call to action you want them to follow? Having a clear purpose will help you structure your article, focus your arguments, and measure your success.

2 Know your audience

You also need to know who you are writing for. Who are your ideal readers? What are their needs, challenges, and goals? What are their pain points, objections, and questions? How can you address them in your article? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your tone, language, and content to their preferences and expectations.

3 Know your topic

You can't write a thought leadership article without having a solid knowledge of your topic. You need to research, analyze, and synthesize relevant information, data, and sources to support your claims and arguments. You need to demonstrate your expertise, credibility, and authority on the subject. You also need to find a unique angle, perspective, or insight that sets you apart from other experts and adds value to your readers.

4 Know your structure

A good thought leadership article has a clear and logical structure that guides your readers through your message. You need to have an introduction that hooks your readers, sets the context, and states your thesis. You need to have a body that develops your main points, provides evidence, and addresses counterarguments. You need to have a conclusion that summarizes your key takeaways, reinforces your value proposition, and prompts your readers to take action.

5 Know your style

Your style is how you express your personality, voice, and tone in your writing. You need to have a style that matches your purpose, audience, and topic. You need to have a style that is clear, concise, and coherent. You need to have a style that is informative, engaging, and persuasive. You need to use active verbs, specific nouns, and vivid adjectives. You need to avoid jargon, clichés, and errors.

6 Know your feedback

The last step in writing a persuasive thought leadership article is to get feedback from others. You need to ask for honest, constructive, and specific feedback from people who know your topic, audience, and goals. You need to listen to their suggestions, questions, and critiques. You need to revise, edit, and polish your article until it meets your standards and expectations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?