Lee Densmer’s Post

WHY THOUGHT LEADERSHIP DRIVES LINKS Becoming a leading voice in your field takes effort and dedication, as producing high-quality content can be time-consuming. However, once you’re recognized as a reliable source of insightful and engaging content, you’ll find that securing backlinks becomes much easier. How to Get Published in Other Outlets: Capitalize on your expertise by contributing to other publications. Reach out with a pitch like, “Would you be interested in an article from seasoned expert Jane Doe?” Emphasizing your expertise will likely pique their interest and lead to valuable backlinks. Staying Persistent: Link building might not show immediate results, but persistence pays off. Stick with it, focus on creating content that resonates with your audience, and you'll see how thought leadership can boost your link-building success.

What happens when you're not worried about content? I used to spend 15 hours a week creating "thought leadership" content. Result? Burnout, not breakthroughs. Most fall into this trap. You're experts in your fields, not marketers the pressure to produce content constantly will kill quality The real problem? It's not just about time. It's about opportunity cost. Every hour spent struggling with LinkedIn posts is an hour not spent: 1. Refining your unique methodology 2. Conducting cutting-edge research 3. Delivering exceptional results for clients top-tier consultants spend only 5% of their time on personal branding. The rest? Deep work and client impact. But here's the kicker: Their visibility often exceeds those grinding out daily posts. How? They focus on high-leverage activities: • Publishing in-depth industry reports • Speaking at niche conferences • Collaborating with other thought leaders It's not about abandoning content either It's about being strategic with it P.S. What high-impact activity would you prioritise if you could reclaim 15 hours a week?

Bad v good way to engage your SMEs to contribute to content: Bad 👎 😑 • Beg experts to volunteer to contribute to your content (open call) • Struggle to book a time that works for them and then eventually bag it • Write a blog post based on research and invent quotes for them • WORSE, ask them to write it • Email them the post and ask them to review (wait weeks) Result = content that is basically internet regurgitation with their name thrown in Good 😀 👍 • Approach potential top contributors • Evangelize the reasons for them to contribute: let them know that their contribution helps them elevate both the company brand and their own • Agree on a topic, prep questions and send ahead • Record a conversation with them • Transcribe it • Write the blog piece (usually a blog post) • Revisions/approvals are easy because you are just writing up what they said • Do it online so you can collaborate live in the document • Publish and promote several times on social Result = Thought leadership content that was a pleasure to write and moves the needle in your business. I am working on 2 B2B thought leadership programs right now: finding the SMEs, coming up with themes, conducting the interview and writing the pieces. DM me if that intrigues you.

#AskAshleyFaus: How can I come up with a unique point-of-view to share? #AshleyFausAnswers: Use these super simple steps: Step 1: Answer this prompt: what's a commonly-held belief or widely-used tactic that REALLY frustrates you? Step 2: What kinda unhinged action would you take to eliminate it? Step 3: What reasonable steps can you take to eliminate it? Step 4: Implement the Minimum Viable Plan to start eliminating it. Does it work? Does it flop? Zoom out to see why, and start iterating to see if you can actually eliminate this frustration. And now the kicker: Share about the journey as you go! A few examples from my own work 👇👇 Sometimes I share spicy takes, and it's part of how I developed my frameworks (Playground, Social Media Spectrum, 4 Pillars of Thought Leadership). Something REALLY annoyed me (content mapped to funnel stages, spamming your social feed with self-promotional content, the mandate to "do" thought leadership "for" execs). I started saying that maybe we should just UN-GATE ALL the content and throw away the funnel. Maybe we should just NEVER post company-related content on ANY brand handle. Maybe execs AREN'T thought leaders AT ALL. Clearly, that^^ is never gonna happen. But... what if we changed things up just a little? What would good look like, if I could do whatever I want? And so, I came up with frameworks that make it possible to start changing the status quo. Have I successfully changed all my programs to match my vision? Of course not! But I've made meaningful steps in each area and recruited a few others who have used my frameworks to take steps to change. And THAT is how I found and codified my unique perspective, and used it to fuel my work, writing, and speaking 😀

There are two key questions I ask clients before I start writing an article for them: 💬 Who do you want to read this? 💬 What do you want them to think/feel/know as a result of reading it? I need to know who the piece is talking to so I can pitch the language appropriately. It also helps me put myself in their shoes so I can ask the right questions and make sure the piece serves them. What they think and feel after reading the piece is important because that reflects on the client and their business. Content is about visibility and much, much more. The ultimate goal is most likely new business, but long before you get to that point, you need to build a connection and trust, as well as show what you are about. That starts with talking to your target audience in a way they understand and can relate to. And writing something they really want to read. What's your favourite question to ask? Have a great weekend. 💻✍️ 💻✍️ 💻✍️ Want help with articles and developing thought leadership, which builds positive connections and brand associations? Ping me a DM or email to talk about writing, content strategy and content reviews.

For the initial 16 years of my professional journey, I dedicated myself to honing my craft as a ghostwriter for industry leaders, including unicorns. While I gained invaluable experience, my contributions remained unseen, preventing me from maximizing my earning potential and costing me significant opportunities My firsthand experience underscores the importance of #personalbranding. I'm passionate about sharing tactics and tips to help mid to senior professionals maximize their LinkedIn presence, showcasing their expertise and unlocking new opportunities 👉 P.S. Have you registered for my upcoming LinkedIn Personal Branding cohort on December 13-14, 2024? Details are in the comment section. As a #womanofcolor, I’ve personally experienced my talent getting overlooked. Bias—whether conscious or unconscious—exists, and exceptional contributions often remain unnoticed unless we make a deliberate effort to bring them to light. This is why I’ve chosen to step forward, to own my narrative, and to showcase the value I bring. And I encourage my peers to do the same: speak up, advocate for yourself, and unapologetically celebrate your contributions. Let’s continue to create a space where everyone’s voice is seen, heard, and valued. --------------------------------------------------------------------- In the era of free #AI tools, more and more executives, founders, and firms are turning to seasoned writers like me for help. Why? Because they’re dissatisfied with the lifeless, generic output these tools churn out. Frankly, when I’m asked to review drafts generated by AI, I cringe. It’s shocking how much fluff and filler passes for "thought leadership." ▶️Language? Subpar. ▶️Bylines and blogs? I always need to rewrite from scratch. ▶️Press releases? Often misaligned with the overall business strategy. ▶️ Executive Quotes? They rarely reflect the essence of the speaker—or the company. 💪 Here’s the thing: technology can’t capture the nuance, context, or depth of human connection. 💪 Crafting compelling content requires understanding the pulse of the particular leader, the tonality of a brand, and the objectives behind every word. That’s what I bring to the table. I’ve ghostwritten articles featured in Forbes, speeches delivered at the World Economic Forum, and blogs that have driven real business outcomes. Executives trust me to translate their vision into authentic, impactful content that resonates—something AI simply can’t replicate. P.S. If you’re working on your next year-end executive note, LinkedIn post, case study, media release, marketing collateral, or internal communication email—and want it to truly stand out so your readers don’t dismiss it as yet another AI-generated piece—let’s connect. ⚡ My calendar has just opened for new ghostwriting engagements. 📝Drop me a message, and let’s craft something extraordinary together. #Ghostwriting #ExecutiveCommunication #contentwriting #HR

Here are 7 potential lessons you might glean from Denise Brosseau's book "Ready to Be a Thought Leader?": Identifying Your Niche and Expertise: 1. Find Your Passion at the Intersection of Skills and Needs: The book likely encourages you to identify the area where your interests, expertise, and credibility converge with a pressing problem that needs solving. This sweet spot becomes the foundation of your thought leadership platform. 2. Sharpen Your Insights and Develop a Unique Voice: "Ready to Be a Thought Leader?" could guide you in honing your insights and developing a distinct voice to stand out from the crowd. This unique perspective will attract and engage your target audience. Building Your Influence and Visibility: 3. Leverage Strategic Storytelling: The book likely emphasizes the power of storytelling to convey your ideas in a memorable and compelling way. Effective storytelling connects with emotions and makes your thought leadership more engaging. 4. Identify and Cultivate Relationships with Key Champions: "Ready to Be a Thought Leader?" might advise you to identify influential people in your field and build relationships with them. Gaining their support can amplify your reach and credibility. 5. Own Your Expertise and Take a Stand: The book could encourage you to transition from being part of a group sharing credit to taking ownership of your ideas and expressing your unique perspectives with confidence. Establishing Yourself as an Authority: 6. Produce Measurable Results and Evidence: "Ready to Be a Thought Leader?" likely emphasizes the importance of demonstrating the impact of your ideas through concrete evidence and measurable results. This solidifies your position as a credible authority in your field. 7. Increase Your Visibility Through Strategic Marketing: The book might advise you on effective strategies to increase your visibility through various marketing channels. This could involve content marketing, social media engagement, or public speaking opportunities. Remember, these are just potential takeaways. Denise Brosseau's book is designed to be a practical guide for aspiring thought leaders. Reading "Ready to Be a Thought Leader?" itself will provide a more comprehensive understanding of her step-by-step process and the specific actions you can take to transform yourself into a recognized authority in your field.......

The path to becoming a thought leader isn't just about expertise; it's about strategically leveraging your unique perspective and your book to make a lasting impact. Here are 5 actionable steps to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field: 𝟏. 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲:  Hone in on a specific niche related to your book's themes. Develop a comprehensive strategy that aligns with your target audience, integrating your book’s core messages into your overall content plan and marketing approach. 𝟐. 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:  Dive into creating thoughtful, well-researched insights that stem from your book's content. Offer unique perspectives on your field that highlight your depth of knowledge and provoke thoughtful discussions. 𝟑. 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰:  Focus on producing high-quality content regularly. This could range from insightful articles and blog posts to engaging videos, all reflecting the quality and tone of your book. 𝟒. 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞:  Use your content as a springboard for meaningful interactions. Engage with your readers through comments, discussions, and Q&A sessions, using your book as a catalyst for deeper conversations. 𝟓. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭:  Stay current on trends and developments in your field. Relate these to your book's themes and your expertise, demonstrating your ongoing engagement and relevance in the subject area. Becoming a thought leader as an author means blending the richness of your book with strategic, engaging, and innovative approaches to content and interaction. It’s about creating a narrative that not only informs but also inspires and connects. Embark on this journey with purpose and passion, and witness how your unique voice transforms from simple words on a page to a resonating echo in the minds and hearts of your audience. Ready to elevate your authorial presence into thought leadership? DM me to explore how these five actionable steps can be tailored to your unique journey! #Leadership #ThoughtLeadership #Author

Unlocking growth starts with understanding your organization's core identity. 🏆 A skilled growth consultant helps leaders explore fundamental questions, ensuring that content reflects true values and purpose. With clarity, content becomes a powerful tool for trust, awareness, and strategic alignment. Let's create impactful growth together! #GrowthMarketing #ContentStrategy Read More: https://lnkd.in/dkiQ9iAV

Here's a big objection I see a lot of people get: "I'll try it first and then get back to you." "Let me do this by myself and then I might join your program." You know - stuff like that. And then you have other people that just say "paid" as soon as you start talking about your offer. What's the difference? It's not the prospect. Some people get angry and blame the people in their audience. But who made the audience? You. Because you attract the people that you want in your life. Whether that's your friends or your audience. And how do you attract an audience? With content. So it's not a prospect problem. It's your content. This is what happens when you post Expert Content instead of Leadership Content. Experts are your average Google guru. They give away nearly everything for free in the hopes that you'll be grateful and then buy from them. This works if you're Hormozi because he's big. But I'm pretty sure you're not Hormozi. Instead you need to be a Leader. And post Leadership Content that gets people to trust you. Share why something is important - not just how you do it. Expert Content makes you look smart but it doesn't convert. There's a clear difference here. One makes people grateful. And the other one gets you paid. That's how David made $48K without a huge audience - because people see him not just as an expert... But as a leader. If you like this stuff - let's connect.