How do you build trust and authority with your content and position yourself as a thought leader?

“When you try and talk to everybody you wind up talking to nobody” meaning whatever you are putting out there does not resonate with anyone so it becomes unimportant. It's just noise in a sea of voices vying for attention. Have you ever listened to a podcast or attended an event where you heard somebody speak and it felt like they were speaking directly to you? Like they had a backstage pass into your deepest thoughts and struggles? They knew exactly what you needed at that moment in time. When a message aligns that perfectly with our needs it's not a coincidence. It's the result of finding your niche and understanding your audience. This allows you to distinguish yourself from the competition & position yourself as an industry expert.

Engage in active listening. Dive into online forums, social media groups, and customer reviews to understand their language and concerns. Then, reflect this understanding in your content. If you're targeting small business owners, discuss specific challenges they face, like cash flow management, rather than generic business advice.

I've seen this go wrong so many times over the years. Understand who your buyer persona is inside out, along with all of the issues THEY care about. Remove yourself from your sales quota, from the demands of your role etc and give some real thought to what it is your prospects ACTUALLY need. Not what you'd like them to need or need them to need... Walking a few miles in their shoes and talking their language will go a long way when you start to have those conversations.

A very important step is to think as the customer thinks. Have a very good definition about the persona and a chain of value totally turned to the customer are some keys

Yes, to the importance of using your own voice, style, and personality. This is where people need to be really careful if they think they can use AI to develop content. It is very important to only use it as an idea or baseline and then react to it, add your voice, and make it sound like you.

As you brainstorm content ideas, consider what people are always asking you about. What are the common pain points and challenges they face? Your own experiences with these challenges give you first hand information to address them in a way that deeply resonates with your audience. Express your thoughts and solutions authentically by contributing new perspectives. As a thought leader, your goal is not just to provide information but also to lead meaningful discussions and drive positive change. Stay connected to your audience's evolving needs. Continuously generate new ideas and solutions tailored to their priorities. By addressing their real-world struggles with original insights, you demonstrate your commitment to creating value.

Don't just share what you know; share how you apply it. If you're discussing marketing strategies, don't stop at theories. Share a case study where you applied these strategies, showcasing both successes and learning moments. It's about bringing theory to life through your experience.

This is crucial. Be the trusted advisor, the expert in your industry. offer content and insights that serve the people you are trying to work with. Gaining trust will be a much faster process if you can position yourself as somebody they like and trust. And this 'like' doesn't have to be deeply personal but enough that as and when they need to have a conversation around whatever it is you're selling, you're the person they think of. Be useful, specifically to your niche and offer value wherever possible, with no expectations of anything coming back. It will, eventually.

It's not just about frequency; it's about consistently adding value. Even if you post less frequently, ensure each piece offers a unique insight or solution. Think of it as serving a gourmet meal occasionally, rather than fast food regularly.

Building trust and delivering value are key in today's diverse content landscape. A crucial aspect of this is maintaining consistency and enhancing visibility, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. LinkedIn serves as a potent tool for not just building awareness but also positioning oneself as a thought leader. Regular, valuable contributions on this platform can foster trust, encourage meaningful relationships, and broaden your network and presence. It's about using LinkedIn strategically to share insights, engage with your audience, and reinforce your brand, thereby establishing a solid foundation of trust and authority in your field. #uniqueconnector

“Gutta cavat lapidem” – constant dripping wears away the stone.... By consistently applying effort, whether in outreach, marketing, or relationship-building, you steadily chip away at barriers and objections, ultimately paving the way for success. Use a good CRM system and be consistent in your activities - easiest way to ensure a full diary.

One of the biggest mistakes see people make is not responding to comments and engaging with their audience on social media. When somebody takes the time to engage, even a simple "thank you" can make their day. By not reciprocating, we miss opportunities to connect and build relationships. Additionally, algorithms don't differentiate between comments from followers versus the original poster. Comments signal interest to the post. Go beyond surface-level responses. Ask thoughtful questions to foster deeper connections & build engagement. Share experiences to forge authentic bonds and validate their perspectives by reposting their content as well. Make engaging with your audience a priority. Share that social digital currency!

Pose open-ended questions at the end of your content to spark discussion. After sharing a business strategy, ask your audience how they might implement it in their industry. This turns your content into a conversation.

Collaboration can lead to unconventional alliances. Imagine partnering with someone from a completely different industry to discuss universal business principles. This cross-pollination of ideas can lead to innovative insights.

Continuous learning and skill improvement are essential for establishing trust and authority in content creation. Keeping up-to-date with the latest developments helps position you as a thought leader. An entrepreneur who consistently reads industry publications and research reports can offer valuable insights and perspectives in their content. Analyzing content performance and seeking feedback from the audience demonstrates a commitment to improvement. Incorporating feedback and suggestions from peers and followers shows openness to collaboration and growth. By staying innovative and competitive, you can establish yourself as a leading voice in your field.

#Coffee with Experts: Take time to talk to that person you admire and who is a reference in the subject you are interested in. Believe me, they will be honored to share their journey and bring valuable insights and perspectives beyond theory. #Seek Relevant Content: Explore articles on Medium, features in renowned magazines, and even comments on relevant posts on social media. This will not only increase your technical knowledge but also help develop your own opinion and position in the face of various perspectives. #Specific Trainings: Although it is tempting to invest in courses and training early on, remember that there is a vast array of content available online and for free. Prioritize interactions with other professionals.

Discuss failures openly. Sharing what didn't work, and how you pivoted from those experiences, can be incredibly powerful. It shows vulnerability, resilience, and a commitment to growth, which resonates strongly with audiences.

Content and storytelling is where the rubber hits the road when it comes to diversity and inclusion. Apart from the obvious gender, identity and cultural background think about: cognitive diversity, variety in roles, balancing introverts/extroverts, neurodiversity. Don't expect introverts to put their hand up. Actively reach out and invite people in, so they KNOW you value their contribution.