Most small business owners are heavily focused on their core skillset. They are bakers, event planners, lawyers – insert job – first, and accountants and marketers second. As Pamela Slim writes for Entrepreneur, “Most small business owners aren’t marketers by trade, but almost all (95 percent) do some form of marketing for themselves, and many need to master what can feel like a very steep learning curve quickly. Most entrepreneurs and small business owners (64 percent) are self-taught and less than half (46 percent) consider themselves ‘marketing savvy.’” Continue reading “Thought Leadership Through Content Marketing for Business Professionals”
Tag: thought leadership
Why You Might NOT Want to Become a Thought Leader
Thought leadership is something we talk about a lot, and for good reason: it can be a great marketing vehicle—if done correctly.Because content marketing is so prevalent these days, creating and disseminating content across a wide range of channels (traditional and digital) is more cost-effective than ever before. And people are hungry for useful, relevant content.
Continue reading “Why You Might NOT Want to Become a Thought Leader”
Building Up Your Expert Status Through Strategic Communications
Credibility is crucial for marketing efforts, whether B2B or B2C. Just as a consumer needs to be able to trust the business selling a product or service, business partnerships need to be built on trust as well. A great way to build this credibility is to be seen as an expert on a particular subject or in a particular field. A world-renowned heart surgeon who spends time as a medical professor, for example, is likely to be much sought after by those in need of heart surgery. The difference is personal branding. Continue reading “Building Up Your Expert Status Through Strategic Communications”
Content Marketing: Developing Your Brand With Consistency and Regularity
For a small business or a new startup, marketing can be a real challenge. It’s not just the financial aspect; it’s also finding the right channels to get your brand in front of the potential customers you’re after. While some businesses have found success in outlandish publicity stunts, we don’t recommend such a dramatic approach. Continue reading “Content Marketing: Developing Your Brand With Consistency and Regularity”
How to Build Thought Leadership Through Blogging
Blogs are so ubiquitous in the online world that it may seem like it’s not worth the effort to maintain your own. After all, blogs can take a lot of effort to maintain. You need to be current, consistent and relevant. Is it worth all that time and energy with so many blogs out there? Continue reading “How to Build Thought Leadership Through Blogging”
What Defines an “Expert” in 2016?
In the “old days” finding experts was largely limited to identifying them through academic circles or highly regarded trade and professional publications. Experts were, in essence, “vetted” and those seeking their input could rely upon their veracity, authority and credentials. But, things have changed. Today, quite literally, anyone can be positioned as an “expert”–whether they really are or not. This has become possible because of the World Wide Web and a plethora of online communication channels, including websites, social media, blogs, etc. This is both a good and a bad thing. Interestingly, it is both good and bad for experts and non-experts. Here’s why: Continue reading “What Defines an “Expert” in 2016?”
Content Marketing Best Practices From Online Influencers
As of July 1, Jeff Haden’s June 8, 2015, LinkedIn post, “7 Things Employees Wish They Could Tell Their Bosses,” had grown to about 481,000 views, more than 1,800 likes, and 307 comments. Haden, a ghostwriter and speaker, is a LinkedIn Influencer. Similar to other Influencers, his posts often go viral. Most of those who are attempting to engage with an audience online, though, struggle to generate even 100 views. What can the masses learn from online influencers, whether they are the capital “I” LinkedIn variety or from a wider array of content outlets? Continue reading “Content Marketing Best Practices From Online Influencers”