Strategic Business Influencer - by Paige Velasquez Budde (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Don't just follow trends--become someone who shapes them. This essential guide offers a six-step approach to brand building and provides the tools for any leader to compete with giants, even with a small budget.

Strategic Business Influencers may not be as famous as mainstream celebrities, but they are converting the intangible benefits of influence into significant impact on their revenue and profits. In an increasingly skeptical environment, these leaders build trust and credibility previously reserved for big-name CEOs and target precisely the right audience to build strong, scalable relationships with their customers, investors, employees, and partners.

Zilker Media CEO Paige Velasquez Budde, a veteran marketer, entrepreneur, and speaker, walks leaders through her six-step process for aspiring Strategic Business Influencers, offering them a powerful, unified strategy to build big brands. Entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and aspiring business owners alike will gain the tools to transform their professional image, discovering how to:

• Reinvent their brand by creating a compelling "Influence ID" and evaluating their current market image to ensure they stand out
• Enhance their relationship management by developing high-touch relationships with customers and stakeholders to convert them into loyal advocates
• Leverage today's digital tools by mastering the art of generating buzz through PR and content creation using the many free or low-cost tools now available

Drawing on case studies from diverse industries--from regional banking to subfloor manufacturing, women's undergarments to tech software development--The Strategic Business Influencer will help you build undeniable leverage for a brand, no matter the industry.

Review Quotes

"There's a reason most CEOs struggle to make marketing work: They don't see how their role has changed. This book delivers that clarity--and a strategy that aligns leadership with growth."

--Camille Burns, CEO, Women Presidents Organization

"For anyone looking to elevate their strategic influence and impact, this book is a must read. Paige does a masterful job articulating the 'why' for visibility in today's rapidly evolving market."

--Kelley Fain, President, Shaw Commercial

"Most branding books are all talk. This one is actually useful. Paige keeps it real and shows leaders how to turn what they are doing into results."

--Brandon Phillips, World Series Champion, 3-time LMB All-Star, and Owner, The Atlanta Smoke

"Think you're too busy as a CEO to build your brand? Paige shows how you're already doing it--just not strategically. This book will show you how to amplify your actions to deliver business results."

--Joel Trammell, 5-time CEO, Author, Chairman, Founder, and Investor

"This isn't about likes, followers, or fame. It's about building a company that lasts by leveraging your leadership, your voice, and your mission. Paige nails the modern formula for trust that scales."

--Kara Hartl, MD, Founder and CEO, Troy Medical

"Most books teach tactics. Paige teaches strategy: how to weave your brand into every message so your company stands out and sustains momentum."

--Sarah Goodman, Managing Partner and President, Eminence M&A Strategies

"This is the book I wish I had when I launched my business. I never saw myself as someone who could 'do sales, ' but this book affirms what I had to learn the hard way: Authenticity and honesty aren't just acceptable--they're powerful. For leaders who would rather lead with purpose than self-promote, this book redefines what effective marketing can be."

--Michelle Ray, CEO, Absolute Facility Solutions, LLC

"A refreshing road map for leaders who understand that genuine connections and high-touch interactions are the true currency in business and the most enduring asset in a competitive landscape."

--Christa Kleinhans Tuttle, Founder, Investor, Strategic Advisor, Board Facilitator

About the Author

Paige Velasquez Budde is a veteran marketer, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. She is a co-founding partner and the CEO of Zilker Media, an Austin-based agency that builds people-driven brands. During her tenure as CEO, the Austin Business Journal has named Zilker one of the city's fastest growing companies as well as one of its best places to work, two years in a row. It has also been listed on Austin Inno's list of "Coolest Companies." Paige is passionate about community involvement and volunteers her time with several organizations. One is Texas Tower, a collegiate publicity organization for her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, where Paige teaches students about the PR and marketing industry. She is also a member of Entrepreneurs Organization, Women Presidents Organization, C12 and Renegade Global. She resides in Austin with her husband, Jordan, and her son, Landry.