3 critical components to becoming a thought-leader in your industry

Becoming a thought-leader is hard work. No one becomes an industry influencer overnight. It requires continuous dedication and the right kind of personality. Influencers have a genuine, loyal following because they add real value to their industry. There are three factors that will help you tremendously in your effort to become a thought-leader.

1. Authority.

If you put forth high quality work and confidently present it in an appealing way, you can become an authority in your field. People believe in authority figures because they have expert knowledge and good judgment. As an influencer, you supply authority, and you also know how to leverage the authority of other people.

Social proof.

Social proof (social media statistics, like the number of followers, likes and shares, etc.) establishes you as trustworthy source of information. People always feel reassured with positive statistics. Your sizable number of followers and high volume of website traffic shows that your content is valuable to a broad audience and is worth sharing.

Likability.

To be an influencer, others must like you. Your personality should be friendly and approachable. You should be able to easily communicate and connect with people and earn their trust. It’s a key element in becoming a thought-leader.

Being an influencer requires continuous hard work, a great amount of social media exposure and support as well as a genuine desire to help people. Axia Public Relations can help you become a thought-leader or influencer in your industry. Download our Essential Social Media Management Guide to get started connecting with your target audience.

Yulia Dianova is a public relations professional who is skilled in building relationships with target audiences. She provides counsel to organizations that seek PR help to further their growth and reach their goals. Yulia earned a master’s degree in public relations management from University of Maryland University College. She is fluent in Russian and English and is always looking for a new challenge. Yulia has worked for Axia Public Relations since July 2015. Learn more about Yulia Dianova. Connect with Axia on Twitter @axiapr or tell us what you think in the comments below.