Leaders are Readers

Learn more about Internet marketing strategy by subscribing to my RSS feed - free and updated daily!

So you want to be an authority, eh? In order to be a leader in your desired field, you need to offer expertise and fresh ideas that cannot be found anywhere else. You need to be at the forefront of your industry and develop some sort of a following. Leaders don’t exist without followers. Below we’ll go deeper into how to become a leader, the importance of reading and staying up to date, and steps of action you can take to read and lead.

So how do you become a leader?

As the title clearly states, leaders are readers. So if you’re dyslexic, then that’s a real problem. In order to be a leader, you must first learn to follow - and this comes by reading and learning from other blogs, articles, and books. Reading enables you to see what’s already out there, stay current on industry news, learn the trade, and be part of the community. Once this is done, you’ll be able to better capitalize on your chosen market.

Why should you read?

Assessing - See what’s already out there

What would happen if you came out from under your rock and declared that you invented the first lightbulb? Not only would you be called a crazy caveman, but you would have wasted all of your time and effort working on something that’s already been done before. Although this is an extreme example, it transfers over to the online world as well. If you want to be a leader, you simply have to know what’s already out there - what your competition is doing, what resources are already available, which ideas are popular, and what your customers want and need. In other words, you need to read up on industry news and read articles, books, and blogs which document trends and new ideas. Sure, you need to have fresh brilliant ideas if you want to lead but then those brilliant ideas have to have the right timing as well. Reading will show you not only what, but when.

Constant Learning

Just because you’re a self-proclaimed expert doesn’t mean you know everything there is to know in your field. This is especially true on the Internet where everything is changing and evolving extremely rapidly There is always going to be new stuff out there and if you want to keep up and be a leader, it’s imperative that you stay on the cutting edge by yes, let me say it again - reading. For example, SEO tactics that worked 5 years ago are considered useless spam today. If you didn’t read and stay afloat on industry trends, you would be completely outdated today. Part of what makes a leader a leader is credibility and knowing what’s going on in the industry is a big part in earning it. Read first, lead later.

Build Relationships

How do you connect with other key people in your industry? You meet them on their own turf and offer them something of value. For instance, read influential blogs in your niche and post comments about your own thoughts and ideas. Not only will this help in the assessing and learning benefits above, but it’ll help you connect with other people who can help you get to the top. People need to like you if they’re going to follow you. Do this by catering to people’s needs and reading their ideas. If you want people to pay attention to you, you have to pay attention to them first and build good business and personal relationships.

Steps of Actions

• Set aside time everyday to read your chosen field and make it a daily habit. The more you enjoy the topic, the easier it will be.
• Set up RSS feeds in Google Reader for top industry blogs and news sites. This will enable you to get the freshest and most up-to-date information possible.
• Read a variety of different mediums - blogs, articles, books, and magazines. Don’t just stick to one source. You want to get a diversified view of the landscape.
• Interact with writers and offer your opinions on their article, book, or posting. Not only will this form relationships but it will make you think about what you just read rather than just skimming things over and leaving it at that.

Are you a leader and authority in your field? If not, maybe it’s time you read. Read to assess, read to learn, and read to build business relationships.