Thought Leadership Outline

Contrarian takes outperform consensus takes by 4x in shares. Start with what everyone else gets wrong.

The article that gets shared makes readers say 'I never thought about it that way.' Start with a counterintuitive claim and spend the rest proving it.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP ARTICLE

Template

Tone

Main copy

The hook is everything. 'Here's what I learned' is weak. 'Here's what everyone gets wrong' is strong. Make the reader uncomfortable enough to keep reading.

Additional details

Each argument needs a specific example — not a hypothetical. Name companies, cite data, tell stories.

Live preview

Title: [Counterintuitive headline, e.g. Why [Conventional Wisdom] Is Wrong]

Hook: [Statement that challenges a widely-held belief.]

Context: [Why this matters now.]

Argument 1: [Claim]
[Evidence + specific example.]

Argument 2: [Claim]
[Evidence + specific example.]

Argument 3: [Claim]
[Evidence + specific example.]

Conclusion:
[What should readers do differently? End with a memorable line.]

Tips to strengthen your text

3/4

✓Has a clear, arguable title

✓Opens with a counterintuitive or bold claim

○Includes 2+ key arguments with evidence

✓Ends with a clear conclusion or call to action

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