We all have something to say and we are no doubt eternal students of our craft- always improving, learning and growing, but there should come a time in our careers where we’ re not only perpetual students, but that we actually become the teacher.
“ To teach is to learn.”
Japanese Proverb
Content is queen and we know this from just taking a glimpse at the marketing landscape of today. If your work is not being promoted, quoted, or shared, you simply aren’ t trying. With all of the platforms available to us to not only share our own content but to continuously make it better, we have an awesome chance of branding ourselves, gaining attention, leading customers to our digital homes, and ultimately making the sale.
First: Don’ t wait to be promoted, demoted, awarded, or granted the title of expert. Grant yourself“ expert enough” status and let’ s get started.
Start reading specific industry related books and articles often, consuming at minimum 2 books a month. It is said that reading at least 24 books on an industry will make you an expert on that subject. This keeps your mind fresh, keeps you on top of current trends and presents you with quality information on which to make your own projections, form your thoughts and opinions and speak intelligently in your professional space.
“ To be a thought leader, you must have thoughts.”
Kristi
After all that research, determine what“ your” core thoughts and beliefs are. To brand yourself, they can’ t be exactly like someone else’ s. Add your unique opinion and spin to it- craft a consistent and genuine message, then start creating content that centers around that.
Start creating. It’ s too simple and cheap now to create digital and even print products that promote your knowledge reaching local and global audiences. While it’ s simple, it’ s not easy-it requires work, research and time, but it’ s well worth the potential marketing, branding and possible financial benefits that content creation brings.
20 POWERCULTURE APR2013