A successful thought leader knows how to build a reputation and maintain a presence that provides them with the means to make their mark and reach a large audience. Such a leader who is an education communications professional also needs to be able to:
- Walk a diplomatic tightrope
- Please a range of committees
- Push to get things done, and
- Generate and distribute ground-breaking content
Content Marketing
Content marketing is all about delivering your product straight to potential clients and ‘building your brand’. Whether you want to please your current masters or attract desirable new ones who might offer you advancement, writing can be how you stand out in a crowded market place.
Publishing thought-provoking and engaging content about your industry, particularly through more substantial white papers or infographics, are key to this. Social media is a prime way to get your message out and establish a presence.
While many organisations have incorporated social media into their marketing, you need to see yourself as a brand. Ensure you are establishing your worth as a leading professional – and a cohesive marketing strategy for yourself will help you achieve this.
How do you do this while juggling a demanding job and paying the mortgage?
Automate
Setting up automated platforms will save you time that can be spent working on content. There are many systems available such as HootSuite, Buffer, CoSchedule, and If This Then That.
Delegate
Delegating work amongst your team is both good for time management and helps to build a strong team who can communicate and work effectively.
Depending on your organisation or personal willingness to pay to get things done, you can outsource much of the grunt work – either on the home front or for social media efforts.
There are online services through which you can delegate tasks such as fancyhands.com. Real people who act as virtual assistants can research, schedule appointments or do your online shopping.
Promulgate
Use assets, such as social media, to establish and promote yourself as a thought leader. LinkedIn is particularly good for this as it is an easy-to-use, professional setting that allows you to be found with ease by those who have an interest in you and your subject.
Publishing thought-leadership pieces on LinkedIn allows a central place from which to build your presence. Learn the difference between posting and publishing and see your personal (professional) following grow.
You can also keep the wide world of social media updated on your work through a professional Facebook page and Twitter profile. These strategies mean that you, and the subject of your work, is frequently found in places where you and it can be seen by a large audience.
If you get lost in the maze of social media assets, want a thought-provoking piece ghost written, think it’s about time you had your own Wikipedia entry or just want your LinkedIn profile smartened up, call us at The Copy Collective.
You’d be surprised by which of your competitors we are making look good already (sorry we can’t tell you). Rest assured, if you decide to spruce up your online presence, your secret will be safe with us.