Top navigation

Buffer
PricingBlog
Log inGet started now

Breadcrumbs

  • Social Media Terms
  • Thought leader

Thought leader

A thought leader is a person recognized as an expert in their industry or area and who shares valuable insights.

What is a thought leader?

A thought leader is an individual recognized as an expert and authority in their industry or niche, who shares valuable insights, ideas, and perspectives to influence and inspire others. Thought leadership involves leveraging your knowledge and expertise to build trust, engage with your audience, and establish yourself as a go-to resource in your industry. 

As noted by Forbes, a thought leader is “one of the foremost authorities in selected areas of specialization, resulting in its being the go-to individual or organization for said expertise.”

Thought leadership not only boosts personal and brand credibility but also helps attract new opportunities, clients, and partnerships by showcasing your expertise in a compelling and authentic way.

What are some ways to share thought leadership content?

You can share thought leadership content through blog posts, social media posts, podcasts, video content (such as YouTube or Instagram Reels), and speaking engagements. Participating in panels, writing op-eds, or being featured in articles as an expert source are also other effective methods to share thought leadership content. 

To start dipping your toes in thought leadership, we recommend starting with platforms and formats you’re comfortable with and gradually expand beyond those once you’ve started to build a strong thought leadership presence on those. And, if you’re hoping to be featured in business publications, platforms like Connectively or Qwoted can connect you with journalists who are seeking expert sources.

Building a strong thought leadership presence also requires consistent content creation and posting across various social media platforms. With Buffer, you can easily manage, create, and schedule your thought leadership content. Whether you're sharing blog posts, videos, or even threaded content, Buffer’s powerful tools keep you engaged with your audience.

Need a hand growing followers?

Kickstart your social media growth with Buffer!

Try Buffer for free

Brought to you by Buffer

Your full stack of brand building tools

Resources

How to Become a Thought Leader as a Business Owner (and Why You Should)

Thought leadership can be a powerful way for businesses to build consumer trust and gain press opportunities. This expert shares how to get started.

Read more

How to Become a Thought Leader on LinkedIn

Done well, building your thought leadership can help you foster trust and credibility with customers, become a go-to voice in your industry, and open up amazing opportunities. A seasoned LinkedIn thought leader shares her tips for how to get started.

Read more

How I Designed a LinkedIn Thought Leadership Content Creation System

Harshala Chavan shares a simple content creation system for sharing thought leadership content on LinkedIn.

Read more

Join 75,000+ growing businesses that use Buffer to drive engagement on social

Sign up for free

Buffer

Tools

  • Create
  • Publish
  • Engage
  • Analyze
  • Collaborate

Features

  • AI Assistant
  • Start Page
  • Integrations
  • iOS App
  • Android App
  • Browser Extension

Resources

  • Blog
  • Content Library
  • Social Media Terms Glossary
  • Free Marketing Tools
  • AI Social Media Post Generator
  • Compare Buffer
  • Community

Transparency

  • Open Hub
  • Transparent Metrics
  • Transparent Pricing
  • Transparent Salaries
  • Product Roadmap

Support

  • Help Center
  • Status
  • Changelog
  • Request a Feature

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Press
  • Legal
  • Sitemap
Buffer

Social media

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Bluesky
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads

Policies

Copyright ©2025 Buffer

|

Privacy

|

Terms

|

Security