Here are some books that will make you smarter in business, marketing, and life.
(In alphabetical order)
*These are affiliate links. So for every book you buy, I make like...25 cents. #baller #rollingincash
Anything You Want by Derek Sivers
What
How Derek Sivers accidentally grew CD Baby to $22 million
Why
Derek’s philosophy is a manifesto for the next generation of entrepreneurs who see business as a way to help others. Afterall, “It’s about what you want to be, not what you want to have.”
Disclaimer
You can finish this book in an hour. I recommend drawing it out and reading one two-page chapter a day and letting the lesson marinate.
Being Direct by Lester Wunderman
What
Lester Wunderman’s biography.
Why
Lester Wunderman is the guy you’ve never heard of who invented industries, manufactured demand, created markets, and harnessed the power of human nature in order to sell more.
He created #nbd things like AMEX credit cards, the toll-free 1-800 number, and the entire field of Direct Marketing.
His story is a turn-of-the-century rags-to-riches tale of perseverance and business savvy. If you want to know how to attract and retain customers, you will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer
Some parts are a little slow and…dry. If you’re not in the mood, it can get boring.
Big Magic
What
A giant middle finger to the struggling artist stereotype.
Why
Gilbert challenges the notion that you must be addicted to suffering if you want to create great art (or if you want to create, at all).
This book will push you to let go of your preconceived notion of art as something “important” or that you must be “talented” to do. It’s a delightful reframe of everything you thought you knew about creativity. It’s also unsuspectingly funny.
Disclaimer
If you’re not into Gilbert’s style of writing, you won’t enjoy the style of this book. But you will get value out of it.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
What
Empathy and tools for getting out of your own way when it comes to getting started with writing (and you’re always getting started).
Why
Lamott has a way of capturing her own mental anguish in a way that’s so real and human that you cannot help but see yourself in her own experience.
Disclaimer
There is little “technical” writing instruction in this book (see On Writing for that), but you will overcome writers’ block and laugh your head off.
Brandwashed by Martin Lindstrom
What
Exposé on how companies manipulate us into loving them and buying more. But with neuroscience.
Why
If you’re on the fence about whether “branding” actually works, this will tip the scale. Lindstrom takes you behind-the-scenes to explain why and how branding succeeds at influencing perception and behavior. Most of what’s in here isn’t bad, it’s smart and generally good business practices.
This is the second book to a companion, Buy-ology, but this one is better.
Disclaimer
It’s not a book on “branding.” It’s about how the brands we create influence everything from our purchase behavior to our beliefs about the world.
Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz
What
A manual for understanding human desire disguised a book about direct response copywriting.
Why
The book on direct response copywriting, to be precise. The author, Eugene Schwartz, was a direct mail copywriter in the 30s and considered to be one of the best of his time. This book is his guide to writing persuasive copy that sells.
Disclaimer
For serious nerds only. This is a tough read. Not a beginner book. It’s dense and will be hard to get through if you’re not inherently interested in this topic.
Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy
What
Rumored to be the book Mad Men was based on.
Why
Ogilvy’s no-nonsense approach to doing business will have you gasping with “Holy $%^# did he actually write this??” Remember, he’s famous for being insufferably arrogant (and rarely wrong).
Plus, he’s a copywriter, which makes it a very entertaining read. You won’t be bored.
Disclaimer
Sexism. Also, if you have a weak stomach for 1960s boozing and business, you will get queasy.
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
What
This one is a game changer.
Why
Brown is hilarious and candid in this in-depth look on her work on shame, vulnerability, and courage. The crux is that vulnerability is the gateway to courage (yeah, wrap your head around that).
This thing reads as smoothly as fiction, despite being about psychology, research, and data.
Disclaimer
There’s a risk you’ll become that person who recommends this book to everyone you know for about a month or two after reading it.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
What
The seminal book on persuasion that everyone and their mom recommends (with good reason).
Why
Most of today’s popular books on persuasion and sales are rip-offs of this one. It’s not enough to know the “hacks” you read on Joe Shmo’s blog, you need to understand why those hacks work. This book explains that in frightening and fascinating detail.
Disclaimer
It doesn’t read as nicely as the memoir style storytelling (after all, Cialdini isn’t a copywriter), but don’t be deterred. Worth pushing through for the “ah ha” moments it will inspire for your business.
Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk
What
A book on selling in the connection economy, disguised as a social media book.
Why
Say what you will about Gary V, the guy knows his stuff. The idea is simple: Find a way to add value first, then ask for the sale – hard. He highlights timeless principles of listening to (instead of screaming at) your customer, showing up where people already hanging out, and speaking to your customers in a way that they can hear you.
There are also fun pictures.
Disclaimer
Yes, there are things that are dated (like # of FB users or EdgeRank). But if you get stuck on those things you’re missing the point. You want to pay attention to the approach he is recommending. Don’t get lost in the tactics.