Over the years, I’ve ghostwritten for many individuals and businesses seeking to establish themselves as thought leaders.
Sometimes, these clients have had a great command of their viewpoints and even their arguments. Other times, however, they’ve been less clear – and asked me to help them find their voice (and arguments).
One of the best ways to become a thought leader is to differentiate yourself from the chorus of voices already out there. Humans are social creatures and we tend to be swayed by large-scale outpourings on issues – and it can be tempting to follow the herd.
But one of the most surefire ways to become a thought leader is to point out the fact, truth or argument that everyone else is missing.
So next time you see a blog trending in your niche, ask yourself:
- What argument or viewpoint is everyone else missing or ignoring?
- What experiences do you have that will help support your points?
- What is everyone else getting wrong?
It doesn’t have to be an essay. Most opinion pieces are less than 1,000 words in length. And professional columnists typically recommend that you bring three new points to the table when you write an opinion piece.
So when responding to a debate or news issue that affects your niche, briefly outline the topical issue at the beginning of your blog, before pointing out the issue or point that everyone is missing.
Try to think of three examples, analogies or personal experiences that support your argument.
Personal observations will always make you more credible. And they don’t have to be experiences you’ve had directly, they could be anecdotes and stories from friends or clients.
You don’t have to spend 30 years mastering your niche to be in with a chance of getting your opinions in print.
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