You know those brands and leaders everyone listens to? The ones whose opinions seem to shape entire industries? That’s not luck—it’s thought leadership done right. If you want to position yourself or your business as the go-to expert, you need more than just “good ideas.” You need a strategy.
Here’s how to build a thought leadership strategy that drives business growth (and doesn’t just make you another person shouting into the void).
1. Define your Goals
"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible"
The first step in developing a thought leadership strategy is to have a deep understanding and knowledge of what you want from thought leadership. Goals are like a compass, pointing you to the right path. You need to be clear on what you want to achieve through thought leadership. Example:
- Generate leads or sales
- Attract a partnership or an investor
- Educate your niche
- Establish authority in a niche
- Increase brand awareness
2. Figure Out What You Want to Be Known For
Not all opinions are thought leadership (if they were, Twitter rants would make people billionaires). Real thought leadership is intentional. Ask yourself:
- What expertise do I (or my business) have that truly matters?
- What problems does my audience struggle with?
- What insights can I share that no one else is talking about?
The key is to own a specific niche. Broad expertise is forgettable, but being specific is what makes you indispensable. For example, you can be the voice on sustainable agribusiness, ethical food supply chains, or AI in agriculture?
3. Identify Who Needs to Hear You
When developing a thought leadership strategy, this is where business owners get it wrong: they want to talk to everyone. Thought leadership isn’t just about having something smart to say—it’s about saying it to the right people.
- Are you targeting B2B decision-makers? Your strategy should focus on industry publications, LinkedIn, and high-level reports.
- Are you speaking to farmers and agripreneurs? Maybe webinars, podcasts, and On-the-ground storytelling work better.
- Are you influencing the government or NGOs? Data-driven insights and policy discussions are key.
Knowing your audience helps you tailor your message to land where it matters.
"It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf."
4. Create Content That Positions You as the Expert
Now, here’s the fun part—content. You don’t need to be everywhere, but you do need to show up consistently.
- Blogs & Articles – Share insights, case studies, and trends (just like this one).
- Podcasts & Interviews – Offer in-depth, engaging discussions. (Speaking of, check out our episode: Podcast for Thought Leadership: Beyond Numbers, Building Lasting Impact.)
- LinkedIn & Social Media – Don’t just post; engage. Comment, challenge industry norms, and start discussions.
- Speaking Engagements – Conferences, panels, and webinars put you in front of decision-makers.
Whatever content format you choose, make it valuable. Thought leadership is about solving problems, not just talking about them.
5. Get Featured in the Right Places (Platform)
Want instant credibility? Earned media coverage puts your expertise in front of the right audience without sounding salesy. For example, the Let’s Talk Agriculture podcast is the best platform for you to be featured on to show your expertise, share your company’s mission, and get the opportunity to meet investors or partners.
Contribute guest articles to industry publications. Be available for media interviews (build relationships with journalists in your space). Join industry discussions—if people see your name everywhere, they’ll start listening. The goal? When people think of your industry, they think of you.
6. Build a Community, Not Just an Audience
Real thought leadership isn’t about just talking—it’s about starting conversations. Respond to industry news with your take. Engage with your audience’s challenges and provide solutions. Partner with other thought leaders for collaborations.
People follow experts. But they trust and buy from those who build real connections. Let’s Make You the Expert Everyone Trusts. Developing a thought leadership strategy takes time, but the payoff? Increased credibility, more business opportunities, and a brand that stands out. If you want a strategy that works, we can help. We specialize in thought leadership positioning and content that gets you noticed.
Conclusion
A tailored thought leadership strategy should be designed to meet your agricultural brands’ goals and objectives. It shouldn’t be vague but clear and precise. Do you need a thought leadership strategy for your brand? You can contact us through our email (hello@letstalkagriculture.com) or our contact page. We would love to design a strategy that ensures success when implemented.
What do you think?