340 - The Difference Between a Thought Leader and Influencer is Impact
Discover the key difference between influencers and thought leaders and how focusing on impact, not likes, can elevate your personal brand. This episode uncovers why purpose-driven leadership is essential for long-term success.
Want to build your Personal Brand?
Join the free Rising Stars Community
The Difference Between a Thought Leader and Influencer is Impact
In today’s fast-paced digital world, personal branding has taken center stage. But not all personal brands are created equal. This episode of The Daily Hint dives into the fundamental difference between influencers and thought leaders—a distinction that goes beyond likes and followers.
Influencers often focus on short-term engagement, aiming for maximum visibility through likes, comments, and viral content. Thought leaders, however, prioritize something far deeper: impact. Their goal is to inspire meaningful change and connect with their audience on a purpose-driven level.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to move beyond surface-level popularity to build a personal brand that resonates. It’s not about chasing validation through numbers; it’s about articulating your purpose and expressing your unique value in a way that fosters genuine connections. Thought leaders cultivate trust and credibility by consistently sharing their “why” and delivering value aligned with their mission.
If you’re ready to redefine your approach to personal branding and focus on creating lasting impact, this episode is your roadmap.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction to Personal Branding
00:05 Influencers vs Thought Leaders
00:25 The Essence of Thought Leadership
00:39 Connecting Through Purpose
00:45 Purpose Over Popularity
00:51 Conclusion
Links:
===========================
Equipment and Software that I use for my Videos and Podcasts!
Jens Equipment and Software overview: https://www.jensheitland.com/equipment
===========================
Books that I read and recommend.
My Book Recommendations: https://www.jensheitland.com/books
===========================
Here are the ways to work with me:
Speaking: https://www.jensheitland.com/speaking
Leadership Skills Assessment: https://www.wearesucceed.com/
===========================
Connect with me!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensheitland/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JensHeitlandofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensheitland/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jensheitland
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jensheitland
Newsletter: https://www.jensheitland.com/newsletter
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to The Jens Heitland Show Podcast HERE:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjuSGi1feauCNSER3IKuGWg
Web: https://www.jensheitland.com/podcasthome
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jens-heitland-show-human-innovation/id1545043872?uo=4
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7H0GWMGVALyXnnmstYA1NL
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to The Daily Hint with Jens Heitland Podcast HERE:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2tLdutVh6b6nCBgWQ817eQ
Web: https://www.jensheitland.com/the-daily-hint
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-hint-with-jens-heitland/id1722930497
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T02uYPvcOrajPC6FgH64r?si=8aab1e7683204160&nd=1&dlsi=0f69c72af017454a
Transcript:
Personal branding is not about getting likes. This is what a lot of people don't get. There are the influencers and there are thought leaders. Influencers are interested in likes and getting a lot of comments and everything is super woo woo, which I would get if I would be dancing somewhere and or bringing my little daughter on a video like this.
this. I would get more likes. But does that mean that I'm seen as a thought leader? I believe not. So for thought leadership, it's all about you expressing yourself in a specific way that is you. And through that, you're transferring your message, you're transferring your why, and how you're going to do that in your world.
And with that, other people can connect to you. They can connect to your purpose, can connect to you as an individual. And it's not about getting likes. It's about the purpose and the impact that we are all together achieving. As simple as that.