What’s the real reason you want to write a book?

If your answer doesn’t connect directly to your business goals, you may be missing the mark. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter sits down with Cathy Fyock, a book strategist who helps authors write the right book—the one that aligns with their business, audience, and long-term strategy.

Cathy shares why writing a book should never be step one. Instead, authors must start with a solid strategy: What do you want the book to do for your business? Who exactly are you writing it for? How will you leverage it to create opportunity, revenue, or credibility?

We explore the importance of aligning your book’s content and audience with your current business model. Cathy also explains why writing for “everyone” is a mistake, and why serving a clearly defined niche can lead to powerful results—even if it feels narrow.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the choice between self-publishing, hybrid, or traditional publishing, Cathy breaks down the pros and cons of each. Her recommendation? Own your IP, own your margins, and stay in control.

You’ll also hear surprising insights about how some authors make more from not selling books—using them as a powerful sales tool to land clients, speaking gigs, and consulting contracts.


Three Key Takeaways:

• Start with strategy, not writing. A successful book begins with clear goals, a defined audience, and alignment with your business model—not just a blank page and good intentions.

• Niche focus drives greater impact. Writing for a well-defined, specific audience builds credibility and creates stronger results than trying to appeal to everyone.

• Books are business tools, not just products. The real ROI often comes not from book sales, but from using the book to generate leads, secure speaking engagements, or land high-value clients.

If you found value in the strategic insights shared in this episode, you won't want to miss our conversation with Becky Robinson: "Writing a Book As an Extension of Your Business." Becky, the founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, delves into how authors can seamlessly integrate their books into their broader business strategies. She shares practical advice on launching a book, building a lasting platform, and ensuring your message reaches the right audience over time. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to amplify their thought leadership and make their book a cornerstone of their business growth.

When the world stopped getting its stuff, why did supply chain suddenly matter?

In this episode, Peter Winick speaks with Kerim Kfuri, global entrepreneur, author of "Supply Chain Ups and Downs," and CEO of Atlas Network. Kerim reveals why he stepped into thought leadership—especially when his industry became the center of public attention overnight.

Kerim discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps and misunderstandings about supply chain processes. He shares insights into why investing in thought leadership provided not just visibility but also credibility, distinguishing his company from competitors who focused solely on price.

Learn how Kerim leveraged his expertise to educate and inform, turning a complicated topic into accessible knowledge. He explains how thought leadership helped him open doors, win larger clients, and attract top talent. Kerim also shares practical advice for businesses aiming to use thought leadership strategically, emphasizing patience, clear metrics, and the power of investing in yourself and your business.

Are you ready to turn your expertise into your greatest competitive advantage?

Three Key Takeaways:

• Thought leadership is a powerful differentiator. It helps smaller companies compete against larger players by showcasing unique expertise and credibility.

• Education builds trust. By making complex topics like supply chain more understandable, you position yourself as a go-to authority in your field.

• ROI takes time. Thought leadership isn't a quick win—it's a long-term investment that pays off through visibility, client acquisition, and talent attraction.

If you found Kerim Kfuri's insights on leveraging thought leadership to elevate brand credibility and attract top clients compelling, you'll appreciate Episode 23 of the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast, featuring Erica Dhawan. Erica, a leading authority on 21st-century collaboration and CEO of Cotential, discusses model building, content development, and business growth. She shares how she developed assessment tools with a data-driven mindset and translated that data into targeted sales strategies. Both episodes highlight the transformative power of thought leadership in distinguishing a brand and driving business success

Are you spending your resources wisely to amplify your thought leadership—or just making noise?

In today's fast-paced marketplace, standing out from the crowd is tougher than ever. Peter Winick is joined by Paige Velasquez Budde, CEO at Zilker Media, one of Austin's fastest-growing agencies specializing in building people-driven brands. Paige shares insights from her extensive experience working with top global thought leaders and brands.

Discover why your personal brand matters even more than your corporate identity. Paige explains how trust and connection are built person-to-person, especially in high-touch B2B environments. As the best-selling author of "Strategic Business Influencer: Building a Brand with a Small Budget" she emphasizes the importance of starting early—well before your next book or major event—to consistently showcase your expertise and build trust at scale.

We dive into actionable strategies like narrowing your social media presence to the most impactful platform and harnessing the true value of PR through intentional, targeted micro-media placements. Plus, Peter and Paige unpack why vanity metrics won't help your business, and why an interview on the right niche podcast can sometimes be worth far more than a big-name media hit.

Tune in to learn how to strategically build thought leadership that grows your revenue, enhances your credibility, and sustainably supports your long-term business objectives.


Three Key Takeaways:
• Start Early, Not Later: Building effective thought leadership isn’t about a one-time launch event; it's a consistent, ongoing practice. Start cultivating your brand now—well ahead of your next big milestone—to build trust, visibility, and credibility at scale.

• Micro-Media Outperforms Vanity Metrics: Don’t chase big audiences for the sake of numbers. A targeted podcast or niche publication with the right listeners can deliver far greater business impact than generic exposure.

• Your Personal Brand Matters Most: Clients Google people, not logos. Invest in clearly showcasing your personal expertise online to accelerate trust, strengthen relationships, and differentiate yourself from competitors.

Looking to enhance your personal brand and build authentic relationships in the digital space? Our conversation with Paige Velasquez Budde emphasized the power of strategic PR and personal branding. To further explore building high-profile relationships through authenticity and trust, listen to our episode with Clemence Sop—Cultivating High-Profile Relationships in a Digital World. Together, these episodes offer valuable insights into creating a strong personal brand and fostering meaningful connections.

Ready to implement these strategies? Contact Thought Leadership Leverage today to develop a personalized plan that amplifies your impact and accelerates your success.