How do you become a leader in your industry? While it doesn’t happen overnight, becoming an authority figure that other entrepreneurs look up to is easy when you have the right roadmap in front of you. It’s all within your control if you follow your roadmap. Today I’m going to share some tips with you on establishing yourself as an industry leader.
While some of these tips may or not work for you, I encourage you to implement them in the best way possible. It can’t hurt!
Establishing Goals and Sticking to Them
If you’re like me (and I’ve learned that entrepreneurs tend to be alike), your brain is constantly thinking about new ideas and goals for your business. You may keep a journal with hundreds of different ideas and goals you’ve set for yourself. I’m here to tell you that having too many goals is a recipe for failure.
Why? While you’d think more goals would equal more growth, it tends to do the opposite. Having too many goals not only creates unrealistic expectations for yourself and your team, but also shows that you aren’t focused. Whether you set goals daily, weekly, monthly or annually, find one or two crucial goals that you know you can accomplish, and stick to them.
These can be personal or professional goals. For example, one of my goals for last year was to prioritize my relationships with my team and clients, to show my appreciation. Don’t be afraid to change your goals either. We all know how quickly things can change (thanks, 2020).
Focus on a Particular Niche
The wider your client scope is, the harder it may be to establish yourself in a particular industry. Ask yourself these questions, what problem am I trying to solve for my clients? How am I solving that problem? Why should they choose me over a competitor? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you find your niche.
Once you find your niche, you can start to grow. Nurture those relationships and start building your reputation within the industry. Your name will become recognizable and hopefully synonymous with your industry.
Write a Book or eBook
One of the best ways to expand your message and visibility is through writing. Why not compile your knowledge and experience into a book that others can read? I know I have a long list of stories and lessons learned from my 20 years as an entrepreneur. Having published work automatically boosts your reputation as a trusted source and allows readers to connect with you on a deeper level.
Writing an eBook is especially beneficial in the digital space, as users can easily share it with their friends and colleagues. Without even lifting a finger, your message can be shared more and more each day through social media.
If writing isn’t your thing, try getting your message across through blogs, webinars and podcasts. Or, try them all!
Content, Content, and More Content
Marketing in the digital world all comes down to effective content. Crucial elements for delivering your message to followers include images, graphics, videos, captions, and hashtags.
Make your followers excited when they see your latest posts. Keep things interesting by posting different types of content. Speak from personal experiences, go live and answer questions, get advice from followers and, most importantly, invite them to share your content with others. Just like your eBook, sharing digital content will help your following grow more and more.
While posting on social media seems easy, it takes more work than you think. Take time to do your research and own your data. Be ready to answer questions and interact with followers. You don’t want to seem like the business owner who doesn’t know what they’re doing.
Show Your Appreciation
You could have millions of social media followers and be making a ton of money, but don’t lose sight of who helped you get there. The most crucial aspect of growing in my industry is showing appreciation for those that helped me along the way. It’s hard to be an industry leader if everyone thinks you’re a jerk.
Check-in with your colleagues, collaborate with them on projects. If you host a podcast, invite other industry professionals. If someone reaches out to you for help, help them if you can. The same goes for your internal relationships. Your team is the fuel that runs your organization, so making sure they feel appreciated and valued is a top priority.
I hope these tips will help you think about how you can become an industry leader. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and contact me with all your entrepreneurial questions.