Congratulations! Your skills and experience qualify you as a thought leader in your field.

Not to burst any bubbles, but what difference will your high-level thinking and impressive resume make if few people you hope to influence know you exist?

Maybe you need more exposure.

Then again, like some experts and influencers, you could risk coming off as brash and braggy if you sound too loud and proud about your wisdom and success. Experts often must navigate the gulf between obscurity and shameless self-promotion.

A clear thought-leadership strategy can guide and elevate your influence.

Consider this surprising, five-step process for building your reputation without becoming a bore or a braggart.

1. First, figure out who wants to claim the title of “expert” or “thought leader” beside you or ahead of you in your field – the people who publish or promote their views with the same audiences that matter to you.

Make a list — columnists, authors, executives, activists, influencers, politicians, podcasters, spokespeople, even late-night TV hosts — anyone who weighs in on your area of expertise on a regular basis or even infrequently but in memorable ways.

You don’t have to agree with them nor even consider them thought leaders. In fact, you want to include ALL of the opinion shapers in your field, right or wrong, smart or silly, respected or reviled. Don’t forget to include your competitors, too.

To round out your list, ask colleagues, friends, family members and clients where they would turn for reliable information about your specialty … and where they wouldn’t. Add those names to your list.

2. Now take your list and divide those names into “Idiots” & “Ideals.”

The “idiots” are those, in your opinion, whom NO ONE should take seriously but who, somehow, hold sway with members of your target audience.

The “ideals,” on the other hand, have solid credentials, reasonably good arguments, respected sources and compelling stories but perhaps a slightly different perspective, platform or network than you have.

If anyone on the list makes a great point, like it. Share it. Thank them for it. Amplify it. Extend it. Suggest where you believe an emerging trend may go next.

Consider posing a follow-up question in the Comments: “How do you address that? I find MY clients want/need/appreciate …”

… or …

Affirm the author’s opinion but humbly leave room for debate: “I agree with you IF you mean ABC …, but I have seen that approach backfire in XYZ context.”

3. Too many thought leaders mistakenly follow ONLY the seeming icons or ideals on their lists, when their best shot at boosting their own thought-leadership status may lie in following the “idiots,” too.

If someone posts what you consider an off-base essay or opinion related to your area of expertise, politely “correct” them in the Comments …

“Thanks for this important post. I’m surprised to hear you say [INSERT ERRONEOUS OPINION] … I’ve had a slightly different experience … [INSERT A ONE- OR TWO-SENTENCE CASE STUDY.]”

No matter which adjective applies – idiot or ideal — follow them. Send invites to connect. Invite them to follow you.

4. Now make a list of the media outlets that cover your topic – mainstream broadcast & print + digital/social media + industry experts, including those on LinkedIn and any relevant platforms + posters/podcasters/influencers. Include the leaders and communications teams of any professional associations related to your area of expertise and the meeting planners of related meetings or trade shows.

Ask colleagues, clients, friends and family members whom they consider worth following in your field, too.

Once you get a sense of each one’s point of view, follow relevant outlets/individuals. Send invites to connect. Invite them to follow you.

5. Set aside time daily or at least weekly – say, 15 minutes at the start of each Tuesday, for example — to monitor the latest posts or opinions from the ideals and idiots on your list. Look for trending topics. Identify opinions that go viral or at least posts that generate comments, deserved or not, then start weighing in yourself.

Consistently contribute BRIEF, fresh, respectful, well-reasoned, well-written responses. Forward helpful stats, stories and, if you have it, BRIEFLY share little-known, behind-the-scenes context. Very soon, reporters and podcasters will begin to see you as a trusted source, and meeting planners will consider you for keynoter or panelist opportunities. They’ll consider your voice the better-educated voice or more-articulate voice – the IDEAL thought leader’s voice — and they’ll contact you when they cover your topic again or need a podcast guest or expert speaker.

Get more mileage by sharing and/or reprinting any coverage or conversations that feature your wisdom. Add them to your website and marketing materials.

CASE IN POINT … Within just six months of following those five simple steps to becoming a thought leader – devoting just 15 minutes per week — one little-known financial expert in a sea of seemingly equally qualified others emerged as THE most-quoted expert in his field – on the speed dials of countless local and national reporters and booked as a keynoter at two prestigious industry conferences.

If you qualify as a thought leader, talk to us about elevating your influence. Request a conversation HERE