When it comes to business buzzwords, “thought-leader” is one that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Often overused and doled out far too generously, the phrase is intended to describe a person that’s set themselves apart as a true pioneer of their chosen industry. Combining thoughtful insight, smart commentary, and extensive experience, true thought-leaders can have a massive impact on the future of their industry.

If you’re a member of the cannabis community and feel that you have something truly valuable to contribute, you may have the potential to blossom into an industry thought-leader. Particularly for cannabusiness owners, earning the respected title of “thought-leader” can be an excellent way to elevate their company to new levels of success. The marijuana industry is still in its early stages, creating the perfect conditions for new thought-leaders to emerge.

In order to become an industry thought-leader, it’s not enough to have original ideas and a thoughtful perspective. Earning the title of thought-leader requires plenty of hard work, determination, and an intentional, well-thought approach.

Here are a few tips that can help you reach your goal of becoming a major player in the world of cannabis:
 

Create Original Content that Serves a Purpose

One of the defining characteristics of a thought-leader is that they are sharing new, interesting ideas and opening a community’s eyes to different perspectives. Instead of settling for the same-old cannabis content that’s been covered by hundreds of blogs and website, take the time to design purposeful content that delivers something different.

This doesn’t mean you have to exhaust yourself trying to reinvent the wheel – many times, the topics will be right in front of you, taking the form of common questions or concerns floating around the community. Stay aware of where interests are shifting and what gaps exist in current content and you’ll be able to see where to go next.
 

Be Someone Your Audience Can Trust

Nothing can end your thought-leader efforts more quickly than breaking the trust of your audience. In today’s age of “fake news” and viral stories, people are becoming increasingly aware of the value of a trustworthy source. As a thought-leader, you should be the credible source your audience is searching for.

Avoid using sensational headlines, misleading stats, or unfounded opinions in your content, and instead, work to establish yourself as a trustworthy entity. Although the process takes time, the end result is invaluable: a loyal audience that truly believes in what you have to say.
 

Get Your Message Out There with SEO

It’s impossible to become an industry thought-leader if you aren’t reaching an audience. Making smart use of SEO strategies can boost your search rankings and get your content in front of online users who want to hear what you have to say. Incorporate strategic SEO keywords into your content and take a closer look at how you can maximize local SEO to reach members of the cannabis community near you.
 

Take a Leading Role in the Cannabis Conversation

Industry thought-leaders don’t exist in a vacuum; rather, they are an integral part of the most important conversations happening in the industry at any given time. If you want to make an impact on the cannabis community, you’ll need to more than just voicing your ideas – you also need to engage with others about theirs. Join local meet-up groups and check out online forums, taking advantage of the opportunity to get more involved and boost your industry identity.
 

Make the Most of Media

There’s no shortage of cannabis-related content out there, so you’ll need to find a way to make your voice stand out in the crowd. Having a unique perspective and crafting original content is key, but there are other ways you can beat out the competition. Incorporating media can change the way users experience your content, opening the door for you to connect with people in new, useful ways.

For example, you might decide to augment an upcoming blog post with a short video. Not only can the video drive interest in your content, but it can also bring in new traffic via sharing platforms like YouTube. Essentially, you can double (or even triple) your impact by taking an intentional approach to media use.
 

Avoid Slacking Off

Just about anything worth doing requires consistent hard work and becoming a thought-leader is no exception. When you first start working toward your goal, odds are that you’re fueled by a fiery drive to succeed. But over time, it can become easy to slow down and find yourself in a rut. If you truly want to be an industry thought-leader, you’ll need to put in the work without slacking off. This means creating and sharing content on a regular basis, constantly evaluating your content strategy and staying focused in the pursuit of your goal.
 

Come to Terms with Criticism

When you’re working to emerge as a leader in the industry, you must accept that there will be people who disagree with your perspective. Criticism (both constructive and not) is likely to come your way at a fast and furious pace, flowing in alongside the positive feedback from those who appreciate your views. It’s important to remember that criticism doesn’t necessarily mean you need to completely switch gears – you’ll quickly discover that you can’t please everyone.

Instead of trying to be universally loved, focus on your goal to stir the proverbial pot in the most positive way possible. True thought-leaders earn their place by introducing new ideas and perspectives to the industry, not shying away from potential critics.
 

Understand that Perseverance is Key

As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither was a solid reputation as an industry thought-leader. You can’t expect to achieve thought-leader status within a few weeks (or even months) of beginning your work. In fact, part of what makes true thought-leaders so well-respected is that they didn’t just appear out of nowhere; rather, they maintained their presence as a consistent voice with serious staying power.

If you’re hoping to achieve something truly great, you can’t rush the process. Building your reputation as a valuable presence in the cannabis community takes time and consistency. If you spend too much time counting down to when you’ve “made it,” you can easily miss out on a wealth of opportunities for success.
 

Maximize Your Industry Presence with Marijuana Marketing Xperts

Successfully positioning yourself as a cannabis industry thought-leader can have a massive impact on the success of your professional goal. However, taking on the task is no small challenge – so why not improve your odds by joining forces with a team of experts?

Marijuana Marketing Xperts is a one-of-a-kind agency that combines marketing expertise with the cannabis industry know-how to create and implement smart strategies that produce measurable results. We can help you take your message to the next level by connecting you with the strategies and tools you need to connect with the right audience at the right time. From SEO and website design to social media and print advertising, the Marijuana Marketing Xperts team can do it all.

Contact Marijuana Marketing Xperts today to learn more about how a smart cannabis marketing strategy can change your professional path for the better.

 

Image Credits:

How To Become a Marijuana Industry Thought-Leader: Photo By Rawpixel.com on Shutterstock
Create Original Content that Serves a Purpose: Photo By Rawpixel.com on Shutterstock
Be Someone Your Audience Can Trust: Photo By Sergey Nivens on Shutterstock
Get Your Message Out There with SEO: Photo By perfectlab on Shutterstock
Take a Leading Role in the Cannabis Conversation: Photo By EtiAmmos on Shutterstock
Make the Most of Media: Photo By ImageBySutipond on Shutterstock
Avoid Slacking Off: Photo By Shooting Star Studio on Shutterstock
Come to Terms with Criticism: Photo By fizkes on Shutterstock
Understand that Perseverance is Key: Photo By Kokliang on Shutterstock