To truly stand out in your field, start by building a strong foundation of skills through hands-on work and continuous learning. Connect authentically with people who inspire you in your industry, going beyond LinkedIn to have meaningful conversations about shared interests and challenges. Share your experiences by writing thoughtful posts or speaking at events, but focus on providing real value rather than just showcasing yourself. When you consistently help others solve problems and build genuine relationships, job opportunities tend to follow naturally as people recognize your expertise.

A lot of the advice I see can feel overwhelming for someone who isn’t seasoned at it. As a result, people have aspirations but struggle to get started. I encourage people to start small. Seek out a few posts a week that are interesting and where you can add a thoughtful comment. It’s much easier and less threatening than creating your own content and helps get your thought leadership out there in a safe way. You can also read an article or two and share an insightful reflection. Again, this is easier and less overwhelming than coming up with evergreen content. I’d also encourage people to reach out to people you’re connected to an ask to set up a virtual coffee. It’s a non-threatening way to get to know people on a personal level.

Use LinkedIn to your advantage to showcase your thought leadership. A strong engagement strategy, commenting on posts by others in your industry or career area, and using those comment to move the conversation forward and provide additional perspectives or insights, helps to make you a thought leader. If you can post too, so much the better! Recruiters and hiring managers are looking not just at profiles, but at posts and comments too!

I would suggest starting with relevant content such as case studies and articles, while being active in commenting on LinkedIn. This approach helps you build credibility through sharing your expertise while engaging meaningfully with others' content. Make it a habit of sharing your insights and experiences. And update your profile and professional experience too.

Amongst my clients and prospective clients, I often see true experts and thought leaders who do not leverage their expertise. What I advise is building visibility gradually, by sharing interesting and informative content - consistently. Of course, LinkedIn comes first, but you can also build visibility and followers on Medium and similar platforms. You don't have to produce long form articles, akin to white papers, straight away. Start with short posts, or if you are reposting someone else's post, make sure you include your own comments that add value. Consistency is key!