How Thought Leadership Helps You Build Industry Authority & Win More Projects
In our fiercely competitive industry, the companies that crush it are the ones that have the most credibility
Especially if you’re trying to build a commercial solar division and create a rock-solid reputation, a thought leadership strategy helps position your company as an industry leader.
But, what is thought leadership and how can your solar company create a kick-ass strategy?
What is Thought Leadership?
Thought leadership is the practice of tapping into your expertise to position you as an authority in your field.
As part of your solar digital marketing strategy, this looks like writing comprehensive and innovative articles that express your ideas and perceptions about your industry.
Thought leadership pieces can be posted on your company website, but if you want to make the biggest impact and reach the widest possible audience, you can pitch these content pieces to relevant, high-traffic solar industry websites.
Why Does Your Solar Company Need Thought Leadership?
A thought leadership strategy will benefit your company in a number of ways.
First, having your solar thought leadership pieces published on high-authority websites builds your credibility. If high-authority websites trust your expertise, their audience will, too.
Second, these websites will typically include what’s called a ‘do-follow’ link back to your website, giving you a huge boost in SEO for your solar company. Backlinks from websites with a high domain authority mean Google will look at your company website as relevant and important.
And third, having thought leadership pieces published on popular websites results in brand recognition, which in turn means more leverage when trying to win more installs.
How Can You Land Thought Leadership Opportunities?
There’s a right way and a wrong way to go about finding thought leadership opportunities. The wrong way is the “spray and pray” method, pitching your content to any website that will give you the time of day.
That rarely works.
If your pitch isn’t captivating and your approach isn’t organized, you probably won’t get a response. And if you don’t thoroughly research the website’s you’re pitching to, the ones that do accept your pitches might not be reputable.
So let’s talk about the right way to land thought leadership opportunities:
First, research the websites where you’d like to have your content published. Check the domain rating on these sites. Skip the ones that are lower than yours.
Next, create your pitch. Send a detailed email with some background information about you, your company, and the topic you’d like to write about.
Include writing samples and links to any other publications that have featured your thought leadership pieces.
And, don’t forget, when it comes to writing your solar thought leadership pieces, each piece must be 100% unique to the publication you’re writing for. Publications don’t want re-used content.
What Should You Write About in Your Thought Leadership Pieces?
You want your thought leadership pieces to be innovative. Don’t just write content on topics that could be found on any solar website. Pick topics that you’re passionate about or that you have a unique perspective on.
Get ultra specific. What do YOU have to offer that consumers won’t hear from anyone else?
Thought Leadership Positions Your Solar Company for Success
Solar is still a relatively new industry. By building your credibility through thought leadership, you can establish your name in the business and get your brand in front of the right people.
Your Solar Thought Leadership Strategy Done FOR You
Thought leadership can be one of the most powerful things you can do for your reputation and for as part of SEO for your solar company––if you do it right. If you’re looking for a high-impact thought leadership strategy implemented FOR you, contact a member of the AJC team and let us help you establish the authority you deserve.