I am a total business book bookworm. I like reading them, and I love listening to them while I exercise. I really get a charge out of new ideas or different ways of looking at things. So, given that passion, I figured that the best topic for my first InnoBlog post would be top marketing books.
My plan is to give my top five list here, and then expand upon each book in a future post. Don’t wait for the detailed reviews, though. You’re going to want to read these books as soon as you can.
#5 Selling the Invisible – by Harry Beckwith
This book is so darned good, I can’t believe it’s only #5 on my list. This is an absolute MUST READ if your business is selling services. As the first line in the preface says, “You can’t see them. So how can you sell them?” This book contains several super-valuable insights into customer wants and needs in the service world. Even if you don’t provide services, this book still has lots of good stuff. It’s available at Amazon for $0.01 used right now. You can’t afford to not get this book.
#4 Social Media 101: Tactics and Tips to Develop Your Business Online – by Chris Brogan
One of my themes with marketing is commitment. And there’s no bigger commitment in marketing than making the decision to take the social media plunge. In the book, Brogan details not only the depth of the commitment it takes to make social media work for your business, but also the great rewards you can reap. I recommend this book highly. Pick it up at Amazon.
#3 Your Marketing Sucks! – by Mark Stevens
In this fantastic book, Mark Stevens cuts through myths and half-truths about marketing to get to the bottom line… marketing programs are only good if you can prove that they add value to your company. Stevens is long on straight talk and good ideas, and short on assumed truths. This is another book that’s available used for a penny at Amazon.
#2 Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling – by Michael Port
Ok, if you’re a right-brained type, this is absolutely, positively, 100% the book for you. Port is part motivational speaker and part business and marketing guru. The title is spot-on. This book is really aimed at those of you who hate marketing and selling, and Port’s system is a solid way to remove the pain from that portion of your business. Here’s the Amazon link.
#1 Duct Tape Marketing – by Jon Jantsch
In a way, my top marketing book for small businesses isn’t all that different than #2. In fact, Jantsch’s Duct Tape Marketing is, in many ways, the left-brain equivalent of Port’s Book Yourself Solid. To the point, and ultimately useful, this book is like duct tape… the one tool you should have in your toolbox if you can only have one. Get it at Amazon.
So, what are your favorite books? What should I be adding to my reading list, and why?