%% date:: [[2023-01-04]] Parent:: [[Idea Generation]], [[Thought Leadership Content]] %% # [[Idea generation for thought leadership content]] [[Idea Generation]] for [[Thought Leadership Content]] is a bit different from idea generation for other types of [[Content Creation|Content]] because thought leadership requires building upon the existing knowledge *and* standing out in some way. [^ryanlaw] An overwhelming theme for all these ways to create thought leadership content is that you need to be keeping a [[Personal Knowledge Management|PKM]] to keep track of these things, so that you don't have to start from scratch when you do want to write something. ## Agree with proven idea Briefly summarize an idea in your industry generally held to be true, and then support it further: - take it to its natural conclusion - expand it in a way people usually don't think of - applying it to something else - validate it with a notable personal experience - explore a related topic ## Challenge existing ideas Take an idea that most people think is true, and then: - turn it on its head - talk about why it's not true - lay out scenarios in which it doesn't apply ## Share earned secrets through personal experience Experience leads to [[Earned secrets]] that only thought leaders know. Share: - how you've solved hard problems - remarkable stories with useful takeaways for those put into that position - the process of creating something ([[Working with the garage door up|Work with the garage door up]]) - how to get to where you are ([[Work|Career]] development) - an experiment you ran, and its results ## Analyze industry events Keep track of events that have occurred in your space and write about: - trends or patterns you've spotted, and why they've emerged - why things happened the way they did, and how others could prevent/do the same thing too - potential consequences of the event Generally paying attention to general news or [[Popular culture]] could help you anchor your analysis to things in the [[Zeitgeist]]. ## Related - [[Popular culture]] [^ryanlaw]: Law, R. (2022). *How to write thought leadership content*. [[How to Write Thought Leadership Content|My course notes.]]