You want to be a thought leader in Information Technology. What’s the best way to get started?

To become an active participant in the tech community: * Establish an online presence through a website or blog to showcase your ideas and projects. * Engage on social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter, Medium) to connect with industry professionals and share your perspectives. * Join online communities or forums to interact with tech enthusiasts and contribute your knowledge. * Continuously expand your knowledge by attending workshops, webinars, or training programs to stay current with industry trends and best practices. * Embrace opportunities to share your expertise by speaking at conferences or through other platforms to establish your reputation in the field.

Develop deep expertise Identify your niche Create valuable content Build an online presence Speak at conferences and events Collaborate and network Engage with your audience

Identify a specific area within IT where you can offer unique insights and expertise. This focused approach allows you to become a recognized authority in your chosen domain, attracting followers who value your specialized knowledge and insights.

Your network doesn't just apply to LinkedIn, if you want to find a list of people who could support you, open up excel and add all the people from your phone contact list, email contact list, twitter followers, instagram followers, facebook friends, and LinkedIn connections. When you make this list you will see you have far more people that you can connect with that could help take you and your goal to the next step. The people you initially reach out to may not be the ones to benefit from your knowledge, but they have their own friends and colleges that they can put you in touch with to help you reach your vision.

Connect with professionals, join relevant communities, and engage in conversations to expand your reach. Cultivating meaningful relationships within the industry not only opens doors to new opportunities but also facilitates knowledge exchange and collaboration, enhancing your credibility as a thought leader

Share your knowledge through blogs, articles, or videos to establish credibility and provide value to your audience. By consistently delivering high-quality content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience, you can position yourself as a trusted source of information and insights in the IT community.

Utilize social media, speaking opportunities, and collaborations to increase visibility and showcase your expertise. Building a strong personal brand involves effectively communicating your unique value proposition and actively engaging with your audience across various platforms to amplify your influence and attract followers.

Stay updated with industry trends, acquire new skills, and adapt to changes to maintain thought leadership status. Continuous learning not only deepens your expertise but also demonstrates your commitment to staying at the forefront of the IT field, earning the respect and admiration of your peers and followers alike.

One thing that I always see people fall victim to when wanting to start a new endeavor, is making a perfect plan before you even begin. Just start doing whatever you want to be doing and you will learn along the way, having a plan is nice, but you don't know the finite details until you are in the weeds. One may start and realize that the plan they have flat out sucks and have to adjust to meet their goal. I say have the end goal in mind at the beginning so you know what you are working towards, but once that is defined just start doing. How many friends do you know say they are going to start a business but 6 to 12 months later, they are saying they are going to start. Just start now!