3 Traits Every Thought Leadership Source Should Have

I interview a lot of subject matter experts (SMEs) for thought leadership content such as case studies, articles and white papers/ebooks, and I’ve noticed that the best sources have three traits.

By best source, I means those that provide good information for a white paper, case study, or article, and they’re easy to interview.

Here’s what I mean:

1. They are passionate about the topic. This goes a long way. It means they want to talk, and they’ll most likely come up with some great quotes.
2. They are willing to explain complex topics. If I’m new to the subject, I’ve done my research, but most likely we’ll talk about something that needs some explaining. Good sources are smart, but often humble. They’ll be happy to explain difficult concepts.
3. They’re organized, logical thinkers. They know how to make a point, back it up with data, and offer clarification.

Find an SME with those traits, and they’ll make a great source for thought leadership content.

Need help with a case study, ebook or some other type of thought leadership content? Let’s talk about your project!

Bonnie Nicholls

Bonnie Nicholls is a freelance writer specializing in thought leadership content: case studies, articles, white papers/ebooks and blog posts. She supports industries such as Agile/Scrum, defense, cybersecurity, and business services.