- Being a CEO doesn't automatically mean
you're a thought leader.
Expressing original ideas on how to build a better company,
solve key issues,
or move an industry forward
is what cultivates thought leadership.
Social media is uniquely suited to position you
as a thought leader because it allows you
to share your expertise with an audience
one message at a time for the long term.
What most leaders get wrong is that it's not usually
a single video or a tweet that builds
a person's reputation as an innovator,
but a consistent commitment to sharing their ideas.
Like how Winnie Sun,
the managing director at a financial consulting firm,
shared short videos on Twitter and LinkedIn
on a weekly basis on how to better manage your finances.
She provides tips on how much money a person might need
to retire at 65,
ways to budget for a wedding,
techniques for getting scholarships for college, and more.
Her advice answers commonly asked questions,
it's easy to digest,
and is suited to serve her ideal customers,
people looking for financial advice and counsel.
At face value, it seems hard to think
that a one-minute Twitter video
could establish someone as a thought leader,
but it's really the cumulative effect over time
that matters the most.
By sharing useful information consistently
every week that moves the needle,
you can slowly become known as a leader
that's a reliable source of insight on a subject area.
Another thing to consider is that there's no exact formula
for determining what ideas will be considered innovative,
so it's helpful to use social media
to test and see what resonates.
Whether discussing the future of the automotive industry,
showcasing the success of her colleagues,
advocating for STEM education,
or providing advice on feedback and mentoring,
Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors,
consistently shares content on a range of topics
on her social media accounts.
By actively promoting a range of ideas
from her Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts,
she's able to get a sense of which topics
are well-received by her audience in the long run.
The ability to get feedback is a unique aspect
of social media that shouldn't be ignored,
but instead embraced to provide insight
into what's considered innovative, expected, or mundane.
Share your ideas on social media on a consistent basis
to slowly but surely learn what it takes
to add thought leader to your corporate title.