Business Archives – Page 2 of 16

www.theodorehenderson.com How Thought Leadership Creates Consulting Success By Prof. Theodore Henderson The Wisdom Man Consultants who procrastinate in pursuing new clients (or any at all) are putting themselves on the brink of failure. Unless, of course, they do something about it. As much as possible, you would want to be hired by high paying clients and be recommended to their network of business contacts. The Challenge All of you introverts who just had a strange feeling in your stomach don't worry. There is more that one way to connect with clients. Did you know that you don't have to look for clients? Instead, you can be a thought leader who's being sought after and invited to talk. This isn't a now work solution but a very successful approach when done right. Why? Being a thought leader/consultant requires more than reading self-help and marketing books. You will be forced to change the way you view yourself, your consulting firm, your vision and mission, and your brand. Why spend so many hours and money in a development program that doesn't deliver results? The New Model However, with the "Thought Leader Model" approach to consulting, you can have the potential for a quicker return on investment. This model has been applied by countless individuals, firms, and start-ups, and they never looked back. Moreover, this model teaches you how to attract high paying clients. Here's how it happens. You have a mission and a vision to work. You remain unnoticed in a sea of consulting firms. The best and most effective way is to position your expertise. Ask yourself: What are you good at doing? Where can you best express yourself and your passion? What unique idea have you conceptualized so far? Click The Gold Button For Free Case Study - Monetize Your Skills "The Successful Independent Consultant" Click Here For FREE Case Study A Different Marketing Approach With targeted and well-written content on your website, you can rake in up to $100,000. That's not entirely because of Google ranking and ad clicks. That is the result of people liking what they read and calling you up for an appointment or a speaking engagement. Sounds realistic enough? See "How to Make $100K a Year in Your Consulting Business: Advice From Actual Six-Figure Consultants" for some great examples of consultants who make this model work. Just by implementing the "Thought Leadership Model," in addition to your content creation, you can also be featured in videos and interviews. If done correctly, you can increase your size and number of business deals. Your consultation firm can grow exponentially. These outcomes wouldn't be possible if you just sat there and handed out your business cards and flyers. More than these marketing efforts, you need to embody your brand. What message does your brand present? How are you representing it? What solutions are you offering to your clients? Are your solutions old and clichéd? Thought leadership in consulting answers these questions and helps you regain your footing. Making It All Work Thought leadership allows you to establish yourself in the industry. Whatever types of thought leadership you are attracted to, all these would ultimately lead you to better effects and a more distinct voice and brand. A very good article on this approach to marketing is How Consultants Can Market Like A Thought Leader. Entrepreneurship and thought leadership go a long way. Just look at how great John C. Maxwell did in his "Laws of" series. Some of the concepts here aren't original – you may have heard them somewhere -- but most are uniquely his. Have you ever wondered why his books are international bestsellers? It's because he knew how to merge his business expertise, his writing skill, and his passion for leading people. Anyone can make use of thought leadership for profit or nonprofit organizations. What makes you any different? Merge regular leadership and thought leadership. Amazing results are guaranteed. It's high time you reframe your thinking and put thought leadership in the business equation. At the end of the day the best consultants have an entrepreneur's and marketer's mindset. For more on variations in thought leadership, see my post The Types of Thought Leadership That Creates Your Success as well as The Best Consulting Firms and Thought Leadership. About The Author Theodore Henderson works with business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate professionals. He is an Amazon best-selling author, a Certified Career Coach, a Certified Leadership Coach, and a Certified Social Media Security Professional Powered by CompTIA. Visit TheodoreHenderson.com/Resources for more information.