So, You Want To Be A Thought Leader?

So, you want to be a thought leader…

NO! NO! NO! YOU DON’T!

Just be a leader… we’ll assume you must have thought at some point to become one… and don’t ever refer to yourself as one. Let others do that for you.

In a decade or so (hopefully sooner), we’ll look back with sheepish embarassment at the phrase “thought leader” in much the same way my parents eventually looked back at leisure suits. I’m fairly certain I’m right about this.

However, sad and silly phrasing notwithstanding, if you want to become an expert (you are not a ninja unless you wear black robes and have excellent throwing star skills, likewise you’re not a guru unless you wear long, flowing robes and smell of incense) in content marketing and social media and to, um, lead people with your, um, thoughts and stuff, here’s your reading list for communicating powerfully in this age of rapid distraction.

Platform by Michael Hyatt – Before building his own massive following, Hyatt helped authors as the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing. A prolific blogger on productivity, leadership, and intentional living, Hyatt shares what it takes to grow the number of people who know you and know of you. Filled with practical steps and funny stories, Platform will help you grow the right way.

Waiting For Your Cat To Bark? and Buyer Legends by Jeffrey and Bryan Eisenberg – My friends and mentors have been the go-to voices for conversion and consumer behavior for more than a decade. In these two books, they’ll show you how to align yourselves with your potential audience and map that audience’s experience so you can help them solve problems and answer questions they’re actually asking.

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How To Tell Your Story In A Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk – Like Salt & Vinegar potato chips, you either love or hate Vaynerchuk, but you can’t deny his certain, um, zest. In Jab, he gives a metric ton of examples of how to talk to different social media audiences in their preferred manner of engagement, and he does so with quite, um, colorful commentary. If the Eisenbergs’ books are vitamins for your brain, Jab is the junk food, and it tastes good.

Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide To Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley – This book is so simple, but that’s its magic. Handley must be sooooo good to be able to explain the craft of writing this clearly and with such apparent ease. Writing well is a real challenge, and it’s even more so when we’re drowning in mediocre content. BUT! That’s also the opportunity. Write well, and your content will rise to the very top – of both search engines and audience consciousness. Handley’s book is a practical, step-by-step guide to do just that (if you’re willing to do the work).

I’d like to add a new book to this list, and I’m only halfway through it, but the sheer volume of highlighted material within easily qualifies it as a great work from a great author. It’s meaty but an easy (even fun) read.

Welcome To The Funnel: Proven Tactics To Turn Your Social And Content Marketing Up To 11 by Jason Miller – When Miller saw his industry (music distribution) begin to decay before his eyes, he shifted into a new world of content and (his phrase) hybrid marketing. In Funnel, he takes a rock n’ roll approach to hit hard, fast, and often in a no-nonsense guide to connecting and converting audiences and customers. I really like Miller’s writing style, and I’m flying through the book, and you will, too. First with Marketo and now with LinkedIn, Miller shows he has the chops to be a serious thought le—

Ugh.

Study these six books. Master the craft of communicating powerfully in this age of rapid distraction, and you can call yourself whatever you like.