Thought Leadership PR: 5 top tips

Sounds like you’re a thought leader. And Thought Leadership PR is about positioning an individual or brand as a source of knowledge and expertise in their field.

A typical day for a thought leader can involve penning an opinion piece for a publication, drafting a quote to be featured in an article, interviews on podcasts, radio, and television, as well as authoring content for LinkedIn and social media.

It’s increasingly becoming a priority for business leaders, with 39% of sales and marketing teams positioning thought leadership as a top priority in their strategy.

Considering it yourself? Here are five top tips on Thought Leadership PR, distilled from years of personal experience in guiding thought leaders in the UAE.

Tip 1: It’s about you, but it’s about them too

It’s tempting to place a magnifying glass on your business and personal achievements. But as in all areas of PR, keeping the reader in mind is key.

Aim to offer tangible value to your reader by framing your expertise in a context that’s relevant to them, be candid about hurdles you faced and how you overcame them, and let your authenticity flow through every PR opportunity you receive.

Tip 2: Know your audience’s pain points

This tip prioritises the reader as well – something we brief all clients on to ensure their content slices through the noise, rather than seeming self-promotional.

Trust plays an important role here, so it’s important to be aware of your audience’s pain points. This way, you’ll know what to focus on and what solutions to offer.

Know what makes your audience tick, so you can create content that sticks.

Tip 3: Be generous with your expertise

As someone with thought leadership potential, you’ll have met some fascinating people and been part of some perspective-shifting conversations. Draw from this rich experience, and use those insights to inform your thought leadership content.

As a business owner myself, I know just how hectic most days can be. And with the rise of AI-authored content, it’s easy to choose the time-saving option.

But you are what sets you apart. So while AI can help with structure, it’s vital for your thought leadership content to reflect your personal experiences and expertise.

Tip 4: Be in it to win it

The UAE is abuzz with attractive award opportunities, helping further refine your reputation. It doesn’t necessarily matter if you take home an award – the visibility alone will put you on the right radars. The best part is that a lot of award nominations in the UAE don’t come with a cost, but it’s important to check these opportunities with a fine-tooth comb; some awards aren’t as genuine as they may seem.

Tip 5: Help and be helped

Are you known for your lightning-fast email replies? If you are, that’s good news.

The media world is a fine balance of proactive and reactive content, and journalists always appreciate contacts who can turn things around quickly (in a day is good, although in a few hours is even better). The quality of your content, and how responsive you are, will help nurture your relationships with the media. Over time, you might become a go-to contact in your field.

Since launching Thought Leadership PR as a service, my agency SOCIATE and I have helped position clients as the experts they are in a wide range of areas, from HR and SEO to business set-up, executive coaching, and professional training.

If you’d like a chat about Thought Leadership PR in Dubai, please get in touch at [email protected]