Alpha or Beta?: Do’s and don’ts to become an opinion leader in your industry

However, it is crucial to approach this role carefully and avoid being recognized as a promotional brand in order to maintain authenticity and audience trust. In this article, we’ll explore some effective strategies to position yourself as a thought leader without losing credibility and connection with your followers.

Do: Share valuable and relevant content 

Offering valuable and relevant content to your audience should be your primary focus, rather than constantly promoting products or services. Provide useful information, practical advice, and solutions to common challenges faced by people in your industry. By providing genuine value, you will establish yourself as a trusted resource and attract followers who are genuinely interested in you and your brand. An example of this in the marketing industry is Hubspot, recognized by marketing experts for providing information, as well as valuable courses and tools for everyday use. 

Don’t: Being too promotional 

It’s important to avoid overly promotional language in your content. While it’s okay to occasionally mention relevant products or services, don't turn every post into a sales opportunity. Remember that your main objective is to provide value to your audience and build strong relationships. Excessive focus on promotion can alienate your audience and make them lose interest in what you have to share.

Do: Be authentic and transparent 

Authenticity is key to earning the trust of your audience. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and show your personality in each of your posts. Share your experiences, successes, and failures, and be transparent about your motivations and beliefs. This will allow you to connect on a deeper level with your audience and build a strong relationship based on mutual trust. Being authentic also means avoiding the temptation to pretend to be something you’re not or to promote products or services you don’t believe in. For example, Bachoco’s advertising is based on posters of chickens and eggs that represent Mexican folk art, without the need to advertise their products. 

Don’t: Hide your business connections 

When you mention or promote products or services related to your industry, be sure to disclose any business connections or affiliations you may have. Transparency is essential to maintain the trust of your audience. If you hide these relationships, you can raise suspicion and damage your credibility. By being honest about your business partnerships, you demonstrate integrity and give your audience the opportunity to make informed decisions. 

Do: Interact and respond to your audience 

Building an engaged community involves interacting with and responding to your followers. Respond to your audience’s comments, questions, and queries in a timely and authentic manner. Show that you value their participation and that you care about their opinions. This two-way interaction will build loyalty and engagement from your audience, and allow you to build meaningful relationships with those who follow you. Netflix and Duolingo are masters at this. If you take a tour of their social networks, you will realize that the interaction with their users and followers is by itself an excellent marketing strategy. 

Don’t: Compromise your integrity 

Maintain your integrity at all times and avoid engaging in questionable practices or promoting products or services that you do not fully trust. Trust and credibility are critical to being a respected opinion leader; compromising these qualities can have lasting repercussions on your reputation and the way your audience perceives your opinions and recommendations. Positioning yourself as a thought leader requires a strategic and authentic approach. By providing valuable and relevant content, being transparent and authentic in your interactions, and demonstrating genuine engagement with your audience, you can build a strong fan base who trust you and value your opinions, and you can open doors to new business opportunities. The brands with the highest visibility can be invited to participate in conferences, events and collaborations with other leading companies in the industry. In addition, there may be possibilities for sponsorships and strategic alliances that help expand the brand’s scope and attract new customers.