Top Books For Entrepreneurs

March 25, 2008 | by Dave Lee

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…

 

Posted In: Company News & Information

 
  • http://www.myblogspan.com/ Edwin

    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.

  • http://www.EditWeapon.com Patrick Sullivan Jr.

    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/

  • http://zing-solutions.com Roger Bauer

    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

  • http://www.infusionsoft.com Dave Lee

    Thanks for the comments! Yes, all excellent books as well!

  • http://trizle.com/trizoko Ben

    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.

  • Marie

    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.

  • http://OnStartups.com Dharmesh Shah

    I’m a big fan of Blue Ocean Strategy as well (already mentioned above).

    For tech entrepreneurs, “Founders At Work” is a must-read.

  • http://www.steadyelevation.net Meny Hoffman

    Dave, I would add the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People From Stephen F. Covey.

  • http://www.btne.com Joseph Norcott

    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.

  • http://www.screwtheman.com Paul

    I’ll second Marie’s suggestion for “Made To Stick”…. and I’m not even done reading it yet!

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