Episode 148

What Is Thought Leadership and How to Build It as a Professional Speaker with Trevor Merriden

Thought leadership has a reputation problem. For too long it's been associated with gurus who claim to have all the answers -- which makes it feel either unattainable or simply unappealing to people who know better.

Trevor Merriden is here to change that. As a thought leadership consultant, content strategist, and former journalist, Trevor has spent his career helping experts build genuine authority through ideas -- not posturing. His take on modern thought leadership is refreshingly practical and immediately applicable for any speaker, coach, or business owner who wants to become a recognised voice in their field.

What you'll learn in this episode

What thought leadership actually means in 2024 and why the old definition no longer holds, why the age of the guru is over and what has replaced it, how thought leadership creates conversations that lead directly to sales, why not having all the answers is actually a competitive advantage, Trevor's three C's framework for building genuine authority, and the role of curiosity in establishing yourself as a leading voice in your industry.

About Trevor Merriden

Trevor Merriden is a thought leadership consultant, content strategist, ghostwriter, and podcaster with a background in journalism. Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn or visit merribornmedia.co.uk.

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For speaking enquiries or to connect, email john@presentinfluence.com or find John on LinkedIn.

All clips and episodes are on the Present Influence YouTube channel.

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Related episodes: How to Build Authority as a Speaker and Grow Your Speaking Business with Chris Ducker

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About your host

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John Ball

John Ball is a keynote coach and professional speaker on a mission to help upcoming leaders master their communication, create impact and stand out as experts in their field.
John left the high life of his flying career to do something more meaningful to him and has since worked with several leading personal and professional development organisations as a lead coach and trainer.
The heart of everything John does involves helping people shift to personal responsibility and conscious awareness of how they show up and perform in every situation, whilst equipping them with the tools to be exceptional.
John also co-hosts The Coaching Clinic Podcast with his great friend and colleague Angie Besignano.
He lives in the beautiful city of Valencia, Spain with his husband and often visits the UK and US for speaking and training engagements. When he's not speaking or podcasting, he's likely to be out swimming, kayaking or enjoying time with friends.

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