I’ve got the reading bug. It started about 2-3 years ago. My wife thinks I’m nuts for reading so many books that have to do with entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, & business success. As she puts it, “why don’t you read something fun?!”. Well, to me, these books ARE fun, interesting, insightful, and have really propelled me. So, which are my favorites for entrepreneurs and small businesses?
- The E-Myth, Michael Gerber
- Duct Tape Marketing, John Jantsch
- Dan Kennedy’s No B.S. Series (Ultimate Sales Letter, Ultimate Marketing Plan, Time Management, etc.)
- The New Rules of Marketing & PR, David Scott Meerman
I recently came across a blog post by Mike Michalowicz on CNBC.com with his list that looked pretty solid.
I’d love to know what books you’ve read that you think should be on the list…
Excellent One!
This book clearly identifies the changing pattern in successful business launch and management strategies. They show how to build a dynamic powerful business.
Comment by Edwin — March 26, 2008 @ 2:02 am
I was happy to that Brian Clark of TeachingSells.com/Copyblogger.com recently nailed my list of major influences on marketing/positioning to a tee: http://teachingsells.com/articles/positioning-membership-sites/
Comment by Patrick Sullivan Jr. — March 26, 2008 @ 8:22 am
Dave,
I’d like to add a few highly recommended titles to your list:
1) Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
2) Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim
3) The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
4) Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson
Roger
Comment by Roger Bauer — March 26, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Thanks for the comments! Yes, all excellent books as well!
Comment by Dave Lee — March 26, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
Good list, Dave. I’d personally also add Lincoln on Leadership too. It’s a great account of one of our greatest leaders, who practiced modern management concepts during an age where no leadership books existed.
Comment by Ben — March 27, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
Dave,
Here’s one to add to your list:
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.
Comment by Marie — March 29, 2008 @ 11:55 am
I’m a big fan of Blue Ocean Strategy as well (already mentioned above).
For tech entrepreneurs, “Founders At Work” is a must-read.
Comment by Dharmesh Shah — April 1, 2008 @ 11:33 pm
Dave, I would add the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People From Stephen F. Covey.
Comment by Meny Hoffman — April 9, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
I just finished reading Motivational Marketing by Robert Imbriale. This was a good book that can help you put into perspective how you should write your sales copy. If you combine the 5 Emotional Motivators he talks about you can can write sales copy that motivates people to buy.
Comment by Joseph Norcott — April 17, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
I’ll second Marie’s suggestion for “Made To Stick”…. and I’m not even done reading it yet!
Comment by Paul — May 6, 2008 @ 9:22 am