Thought Leadership Strategy Intensive
Positioning clarity. Platform strategy. A PR action plan you can actually execute. By Hilary Hartling & Lexie Smith.
The Thought Leadership & PR Strategy Intensive is a high-touch strategy engagement for consultants and credible experts ready to be known beyond their existing network. We walk you through the GROWTH MODE Formula: positioning clarity, platform strategy, and an action plan with the resources to execute. You leave knowing what you are known for, where you should be showing up, and how to land the speaking gigs, press, and clients that come from being the expert people call first. This is not a course. It is a focused, done-with-you strategy engagement built around the GROWTH MODE Formula and tailored entirely to you.
A complete PR and thought leadership strategy, built around you
The Thought Leadership & PR Strategy Intensive is a high-touch, structured engagement designed to give consultants and credible experts the clarity, platform, and action plan to be known. No generic frameworks. No cookie-cutter deliverables. Everything is built around the GROWTH MODE Formula and tailored specifically to you, so you move forward with confidence.
Step 1
Positioning Clarity
We start where every credible expert needs to start: clarity. Through a focused 2-hour strategy session with Hilary Hartling and Lexie Smith, we audit and refine your positioning so it is differentiated, defensible, and aligned with the consulting work, speaking gigs, and visibility goals you want next. You walk out of the session knowing what you are known for, what makes you different, and how to talk about your expertise so the right people listen.
Step 2
Platform Strategy
With your positioning locked, we map the platforms that will actually move the needle for a consultant building thought leadership. Speaking stages. Podcasts. Press. LinkedIn. Op-eds. Books. Industry features. Together we identify where your voice belongs and where your time and energy will compound, so you stop chasing everything and start showing up where it matters.
Step 3
Action Plan with Resources
Strategy without execution is a slide deck. We translate your positioning and platform strategy into a clear action plan, complete with resources to run it. You leave with a defined set of opportunities to pursue, the pitch template to land them, and a curated list of outlets and contacts so you know exactly where to start. Whether you execute on your own, with your team, or roll into a longer GROWTH MODE engagement, you have everything you need to move.
Client Results
Trusted by Leaders
"I'm on my 4th global C-suite role… GROWTH MODE has my complete trust."
"...Hands down this was one of my best business decisions of the past 12 months, one that continues to pay dividends."
"...they turned everything I had to say into a cohesive, visible brand, clear positioning, consistent content, real media presence, all sounding like me... They elevated my expertise and got it in front of the people it was meant to reach."
"… their work has been key in more than tripling our company's valuation. In my 20-year career, I have never met better self-starters who are absolutely dedicated to the craft and YOUR results!"
Tangible deliverables you can act on immediately
Beyond the strategy sessions, every deliverable is formatted and packaged for real-world use. These are working documents you will return to again and again.
Thought Leadership Strategy Summary
A clear, structured overview of your positioning, messaging, and PR strategy so you know exactly how to move forward.
Positioning Audit & Messaging One-sheet
A concise breakdown of your positioning, differentiation, and core messaging to guide how you show up and communicate.
3 Key Expert Speaking or Podcast Topics – Titles and Descriptions
Three fully developed topic ideas with titles and descriptions designed to position you as a compelling and credible guest.
A Custom Pitch Template for Podcasts
A ready-to-use, fully written pitch you can customize and send to secure podcast interviews.
Custom Opportunity List
5 to 10 strategic outlets, podcasts, or speaking stages tailored to your positioning, with contact information.
Led by two of the best in the business
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Lexie Smith
Lexie Smith is a personal brand strategist, PR and thought leadership expert, and 3x entrepreneur with a career spanning agency leadership, in-house PR, and executive roles. As the Founder and CEO of GROWTH MODE, she leads the agency's evolution from a top-tier PR & Communications firm to a premier Thought Leadership Agency, helping leaders establish and amplify their voices to drive business growth.
Chief Brand Officer
Hilary Hartling
Hilary Hartling is a personal brand strategist, messaging expert, and 2x business owner with a career spanning Disney, entrepreneurship, and thought leadership. As the Chief Brand Officer of GROWTH MODE, she helps define, establish, and amplify corporate leaders' voices to drive company growth. She is also the Founder and CEO of her own brand strategy consultancy, where she has spent the past 10 years helping entrepreneurs craft clear, cohesive brands that attract their dream clients.
Everything you need to know
Is this the right fit if I am a consultant?+
Yes. The Intensive was built for consultants and credible service-based experts who are already doing great work, often with corporate or institutional clients, and are ready to turn that expertise into a thought leadership platform that brings in more clients, paid speaking gigs, and industry recognition.
What is the timeline?+
Deliverables take 1-2 weeks to create and deliver post the strategy session.
What are the actual deliverables?+
You walk away with a Thought Leadership Strategy Summary, a Positioning Audit and Messaging One-sheet, three key expert speaking or podcast topics, a custom podcast pitch template, and a curated opportunity list of 5 to 10 strategic outlets, all formatted for immediate use.
I am working on a book. Does that factor in?+
Yes. Books and book trajectories are part of platform strategy. When relevant, we map the press, podcast, and speaking visibility that supports a book launch or positions you for one.
Will you execute PR for me?+
This service does not include done-for-you PR execution. However, you are walked through exactly how to execute every strategy outlined and given ample resources to move forward confidently on your own or with your team. If you are interested in additional PR support, we invite you to explore our GROWTH MODE Premier.
I already have a brand established. Why do I need this?+
If you have evolved, your brand and PR strategy need to evolve with you. Consider this a much-needed brand refresh and PR masterclass that will help get you recognized, respected, and ready for what is next.
Ready to become a true thought leader?
The Thought Leadership Strategy Intensive is a high-touch, expert-led engagement for consultants and credible experts who are serious about turning their expertise into visibility, clients, and stages.