Thoughtleading Marketing Strategy Yields High ROI, Studies Show

CONCORD, MA--(Marketwire - March 31, 2008) - Thoughtleaders -- the go-to-authorities in their fields -- clearly make more income than their competitors, according to a new book that spills the secrets of obtaining entrance to the temple of thought leadership.

"If thoughtleading as a strategy sounds good and feels good and looks good, it's only logical that it would work productively to deliver a competitive advantage. But how can we know for sure?" author Ken Lizotte writes.

He cites some key studies. One strongly tied a major measurement of thoughtleading, i.e., an increase in media presence, with total revenues at the nation's largest law firms.

In another, Kennedy Information, the top management-consulting think tank, found that less than 1 percent of management consultants make more than $500,000 a year. "Those highest-revenue producers are the ones who regularly publish articles and books. They are the thoughtleaders," said a Kennedy principal.

Professional services marketing expert Suzanne Lowe, who has conducted extensive research on which marketing tactics work best, found that thoughtleading is a major differentiator. Professional services firms that measure ROI on marketing efforts with "more sophistication and commitment" find that thoughtleading activities pay off, she says.

Anyone who's an expert in virtually any field can get national recognition as a thoughtleader by writing books and articles, speaking to groups, getting media attention and leveraging the Internet, Lizotte says.

The Expert's Edge covers the theory and practice of thoughtleading, from Ralph Waldo Emerson -- who earned his keep with public speaking -- to contemporaries like Donald Trump, Tom Peters, Suze Orman and Harvey Mackay.

Lizotte is chief imaginative officer of emerson consulting group inc. (www.thoughtleading.com) which has helped 200 firms and individuals become thoughtleaders since 1996.

More information about The Expert's Edge is online at www.thoughtleading.com/book_experts-edge.htm.

Contact Information: Contact: Henry Stimpson Stimpson Communications 508-647-0705 Henry@StimpsonCommunications.com