On Words and Business

With so many of us trying to brand ourselves as thought leaders, eventually we’re going to run out of thought followers, don’t you think? Then what will we do?

If you’ve found a niche that needs your leadership (and there are a few still out there), read this article with 15 Tips to Gain Acceptance as a Thought Leader.

My faves:

1. Define your limits
10. Go offline
12. Just do it
15. Stay true to yourself

What works for you as a thought leader?

Or how to communicate better in three easy steps.

Thanks to Gordon Adler’s article The Write Stuff.

It is very strange how easy it is for all of us to fall into the trap of creating overwrought and overdeveloped corporate communications. As if business writing must be obtuse to be considered important.

Adler gives us three easy steps to get out of the trap and remember that we write to be read. And sometimes that means keeping it simple.

1. Sell the value of clear writing–convince both the writers and the folks in charge that effective writing is not jargon-laden or obtuse. The best writing is simple and direct and is understood by your audience.
2. Design a clear writing program–large or small, figure out what you or your company needs to foster clear writing; and make a plan and set up training if necessary.
3. Meet the readers needs in three steps–prepare, write, revise. The big thing is the prep work, figuring out why you are writing what you are writing and why anyone would care to read it is an important first step.

We need a case study. I want to write a white paper.  Let’s start a customer newsletter.

Okay. Why?

This article is fabulous: How Asking “Why” Helps Us Get to Our Larger Story.

If you create content or think you want to, I suggest you take a moment to read this.

It’s a reminder that as marketers we really need to think about why we are creating any specific piece of content. We all fall victim to creating content for the sake of it. And as a freelance writer who helps companies create their content, sometimes I’m not in on the discussion of why they want a particular piece of content.  And sometimes…I can tell.

Why do you want a case study? Is it because we read somewhere the case studies are a great form of content to have on a website?

Why should we write a white paper? Is it because our competitors have white papers?

Why should we start a customer newsletter? Is it because we know our customers could benefit from having some specific information?

Ask why and see where it takes you.

The name Steve Jobs brings many things to mind. For business people, it is usually his passion and drive and ability to produce amazing results.

This article by Neil Davidson takes some of the secrets of Jobs’ success and applies them to video production. I love it!

I think these principles can and should all be applied to all forms of content marketing, not just video.

1. Do what you love. Content is just better when you have a passion for it and know why you are creating it.
2. Put a dent in the universe. Why create it if it doesn’t mean something?
3. Kick start your brain. Creativity comes in many forms and disguises.
4. Sell dreams, not products. Start with once upon a time, and end with happily ever after.
5. Say no to 1,000 things. This can be very hard, but it makes the things you say yes to that much more special.
6. Create insanely great experiences. Content does not need to be boring to be effective!
7. Master the message. If you don’t know what you are trying to say, how can anyone else?

What are the secrets of your content success?

How do you measure success for your content marketing?

This article discusses a few ways to know if it is working.

My favorite: People recognize you from your social media.

It is incredible when someone starts talking to me about something I wrote for my blog or a guest-blogger, and I know that is how they know me or know the story.

Some thoughts on thought leadership on a smaller scale, in the workplace versus the whole world. Thanks to the Personal Branding Blog for this post

Key takeaways for me: be known and know yourself.

What have you done to nurture the thought leader in you?