Thought Leadership Calculator

Budget for executive thought leadership programs including content, speaking, and visibility initiatives.

Calculator
$

Content Mix (per 12 months)

Bylined Articles
$2,500 each • Impact: 8/10
$5,000
Speaking Engagements
$1,500 each • Impact: 9/10
$6,000
Podcast Appearances
$500 each • Impact: 7/10
$3,000
LinkedIn Posts
$200 each • Impact: 5/10
$2,400
Industry Reports
$8,000 each • Impact: 10/10
$8,000

Program Analysis

Total Content Pieces
25
Impact Points
164
Authority Index
100
Program Cost
$24,400
Total Budget (12 months)$120,000
Content Program Cost$24,400
Budget Remaining$95,600
Cost per Executive$12,200
Monthly Content Burn$2,033
Budget Utilization20%
Impact Efficiency66%

💡 Industry reports and speaking engagements have the highest impact scores. Consider shifting budget toward high-impact content for authority building.

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How to Use This Calculator

1

Select content types and frequency

2

Add speaking and media opportunities

3

Include ghostwriting and support costs

4

Get annual thought leadership budget

Frequently Asked Questions

What is thought leadership?

Positioning executives as trusted experts through bylined articles, speaking engagements, social presence, media commentary, and original research. It builds credibility and trust.

How much should thought leadership cost?

Entry-level programs (monthly content, occasional speaking): $5,000-15,000/month. Comprehensive programs with multiple executives: $25,000-100,000+/month.

What content works best for thought leadership?

Original insights and data outperform generic advice. Industry reports, contrarian viewpoints, and practical frameworks tend to get shared and covered. Quality over quantity.

How long until thought leadership shows results?

Building genuine authority takes 12-24 months of consistent effort. Early wins (speaking invitations, media quotes) come faster; reputation as a go-to expert takes years.

Should every executive have a thought leadership program?

Focus on 1-3 executives with genuine expertise and willingness to participate. Spreading too thin dilutes impact. CEO, subject matter experts, and customer-facing leaders are common choices.

Why Use This Calculator

  • Plan executive visibility programs
  • Budget for content and speaking
  • Track thought leadership ROI
  • Allocate resources across executives
  • Build authority systematically

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