Why You Should Think, Write and Grow


Think Write GrowBecoming a thought leader is an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise in your industry, as well as garner new clients. In Grant Butler’s Think Write Grow: How to Become a Thought Leader and Build Your Business by Creating Exceptional Articles, Blogs, Speeches, Books and More, the author (@grantxbutler) explores the importance of becoming a thought leader, as well as how to improve the types of communication that help establish you as a thought leader.

A Thought Leader Himself

Grant Butler is the Founder and Managing Director of Australian-based Editor Group, a company that provides corporate communication (ads, articles, brochures, newsletters, reports, website copy and white papers) for companies. Prior to this, he was a senior journalist with The Australian Financial Review, as well as held other positions in media and PR. His extensive experience in writing thought leadership materials gave him the expertise for his book.

What You’ll Get Out of This Book

Think Write Grow, which was nominated for the 2012 Small Business Book Awards, educates readers on what exactly thought leadership is:

“What sets thought leaders apart is that they don’t just think; they go out of their way to share their thoughts with others. They may do this by publishing their views in books or journals, speaking at events, appearing in the media and taking up industry leadership roles such as serving on boards and standards-setting bodies. Most importantly, thought leaders are focused on what’s likely to happen in the future.”

Butler also highlights key types of thought leadership communications, as well as their benefits. He includes:

  • Essays
  • Whitepapers
  • Articles
  • Letters
  • Blogs
  • Speeches
  • Books

He provides ample tips for getting the most out of each of these forms of communication. I found his “Three Cs” useful for my own writing:

1. Capture the reader’s attention
2. Convince the reader of your case
3. Close with a strong conclusion and ideally a call to action

What I Liked Best

One part thought leadership education, one part writing coaching, this book blends practical writing advice with the bigger picture of why you’d write essays, blogs and books. Butler connects the dots between the actual writing and the marketing you need to do to get the writing in the right hands.

Who Should Read this Book?

If you’ve been interested in becoming better known in your industry, publishing a thought leadership book, or speaking at industry events, this book will guide you on your path to achieving your goals.  If you’d like tips for being a better writer, regardless of your thought leadership status, this book provides tips for every level of writer.

7 Comments ▼

Susan Payton Susan Payton is the Communications Manager for the Small Business Trends Awards programs. She is the President of Egg Marketing & Communications, an Internet marketing firm specializing in content marketing, social media management and press releases. She is also the Founder of How to Create a Press Release, a free resource for business owners who want to generate their own PR.

7 Reactions
  1. This sounds like a very interesting book to read. Especially for the writing tips. And I love the 3 C’s. Thanks for sharing with us

  2. As a leadership coach for major corporations , I couldn’t agree more. I recently finished a book which publishes in May that is getting great response. But since I have spent my career working in the trenches I never gave thought to developing a presence beyond my clients. I believe that many hold me as a thought leader but how would anyone else know? So you can do this the hard way like I have, learning how to create a footprint very late in the game. Or you can follow Grant’s advice and develop your outreach along with your career. Susan, this is a really helpful article for those of us who are just figuring it out. Tx Alan

  3. I’m intrigued. Given that definition of thought leadership and the 3 Cs, how do these differ in any meaningful way from labels like “subject matter expert,” “trusted advisor,” or event “content marketer?” Where, specifically, do these designations end and thought leadership begins? Don’t all of these other folks do precisely the same — i.e., put themselves and their knowledge “out there?”

    • Liz–
      These days, you certainly are competing with others to be known as a thought leader, but the good news is: there’s plenty of room for all. You could replace “thought leader” with “SME” or “advisor.”

      Susan

  4. To Susan: Good call. Always Advisor. Never Consultant!