Best Books for Small Businesses: This is Marketing | Profit First | Traction | The Common Path to Uncommon Success | EntreLeadership | Soundtracks | They Ask You Answer | Exactly What To Say | Everything Is Figureoutable | The Widest Net | The E-Myth Revisited | Ask for More | The Like Switch | Rocket Fuel | The Million-Dollar One-Person Business | Your Next Five Moves
We all know that books can be a great source of information and inspiration, but where do you start when it comes to small businesses? To help you out, here’s a list of sixteen essential books for small businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your marketing game to the next level, these books will provide plenty of food for thought.
So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and get ready to learn about the best books for small businesses. Let’s dive in!
These are some of the best books that Ramon Ray recommends for every small business owners to read and learn from. Ramon’s the publisher of ZoneofGenius.com and a serial entrepreneur who has started 5 businesses and sold three of them. Have suggestions for Ramon to add to this list? Let him know!
Editor’s note
16 Best Books for Small Businesses for You
1. This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
Written by Seth Godin, the former dot com business executive and author of 19 internationally bestselling books, “This Is Marketing” is not just a book, it is also an accessible and timeless package to Godin’s core marketing wisdom.
The book is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. It is a collection of thoughts by Seth Godin on topics he knows a great deal about. Needless to say, it is an excellent resource for anyone interested in marketing.
By reading this book, you will learn how to identify your smallest viable audience and what signals and signs to use to position your product or service correctly. It also teaches you how to create rapport and build trust with your target market so that you can:
- Effectively communicate with them,
- Understand the narratives that drive people’s behavior,
- And positively influence those narratives.
The methods outlined in This Is Marketing shows a timeless approach to marketing that will still be relevant no matter how the marketing landscape changes in the coming years.
You can get This Is Marketing today from here!
2. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Are you tired of constantly scrambling to make ends meet in your business? Are you frustrated by how long it takes for profits to show up on your balance sheet? If so, it’s time to read Profit First by Mike Michalowicz.
In this book, Michalowicz presents a revolutionary approach to managing the financial health of a business. This method helps businesses achieve stability and long-term success by prioritizing profit and managing expenses accordingly.
Michalowicz combines personal anecdotes with expert advice to offer a comprehensive guide from which any entrepreneur can benefit. So put aside those Profit and Loss statements and pick up a copy of Profit First. You’ll soon see why it’s a must-read for any business owner.
Profit First is available here. Make your purchase today!
3. Traction by Gino Wickman
Have you ever been stuck in a rut, unable to make progress, and unsure of which direction to turn? “Traction,” a book by entrepreneur Gino Wickman, offers a solution.
In this interactive guide, Wickman lays out his EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) method for gaining control of your business and personal life. With step-by-step instructions and exercises to help implement the principles, “Traction” teaches readers how to:
- Clarify values and goals
- Set priorities
- Improve communication and accountability within their teams
- And ultimately reach success
Whether you own a small startup or manage a large corporation, Traction promises to deliver the tools needed to reach peak efficiency and achieve maximum growth.
Those who have already implemented Wickman’s methods swear by the results – why not try it yourself? Buy from here.
4. The Common Path to Uncommon Success by John Lee Dumas
If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to achieving your dreams, John Lee Dumas’ book The Common Path to Uncommon Success is a perfect choice.
In this practical and accessible guide, Dumas lays out his proven formula for financial freedom and creating the life you deserve. He offers clear strategies for boosting productivity and setting achievable goals, as well as insights into the behaviors and mindsets of successful individuals. Whether you’re just starting out or already on the path to success, this book offers valuable guidance for taking your career and personal life to the next level. If you’re ready to unlock your true potential, The Common Path to Uncommon Success is the essential roadmap you need.
To get to know more, buy the book from here.
5. EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey
While many books on leadership focus on theory and abstract concepts, EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey takes a practical approach. Drawing from his own experience as a successful businessman, Ramsey offers concrete tips for inspiring and motivating your team. He also emphasizes the importance of sound financial practices, including maintaining a budget and eliminating debt.
EntreLeadership is more than just a book about management techniques; it’s also a guide to creating a positive company culture where employees feel valued and empowered to do their best work. Whether you’re just starting out in business or have years of experience, EntreLeadership provides valuable insights that can help take your company to the next level.
Check out the book here.
6. Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
In Soundtracks, Jon Acuff, the New York Times bestselling author, has shared his life-changing experience in transforming the habit of overthinking. The book is a roadmap to turn overthinking as a super problem into a superpower.
The more you go through this book, you will relate to every line expressing how overthinking can stop a person or a company from growing for something better. Here the author has also offered a proven plan to beat overthinking by questioning inner thoughts, leaving unproductive ideas behind, embracing thought-improving mantras, choosing the right symbols to fortify positive thoughts, and more.
Learn how to stop overthinking from the working methods discussed in Soundtracks. Check out the book here.
7. They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
In They Ask You Answer, Marcus Sheridan, winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award for Business/ Career/ Sales, takes you through his journey and explains how to make the most of inbound sales and content marketing to boost conversion for a business.
The book shows a fresh approach to content marketing and using it to bring customers. Marcus gives a comprehensive detail centered on a single thought – your content should not be promotional but valuable to your target audience.
When people have a query about something, they try to find answers to their queries from a search engine. So, if you have answers with the right content strategy, you can make your digital presence at the top of the search engine result page and be seen by countless people daily. And when your content shows you are not here to sell but to answer your audience’s possible queries, your website visitors will keep coming back.
Are you interested to know more? Check out the book here.
8. Exactly What To Say by Phil Jones
Phil M. Jones is regarded as a best-selling author and is respected as one of the world’s leading sales trainers and coaches. Phil’s Exactly What To Say is a compact book filled with scripts to use in any conversation to influence people. The book provides helpful advice on how to use words effectively to achieve success.
The words we choose in sales can make or break a deal, and that’s where Exactly What to Say comes in. This book provides the essential tools for finding the perfect phrases, asking the right questions, and eliminating ineffective language from your sales pitch.
Whether you’re selling a product, service, or story, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to impress, motivate, engage, and influence their audience. Also, it’s filled with practical tips and real-life examples that make it easy to apply these techniques in your professional setting immediately.
Don’t waste any more time struggling with sales – get this book now and start closing deals like never before.
9. Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a rut, unable to make progress on your goals and dreams? Marie Forleo’s book “Everything is Figureoutable” offers the solution. Everything Is Figureoutable, the #1 New York Times Bestseller, is a motivational read. It is a must-read for anybody looking to find their purpose in life, achieve goals and live a better life.
In this book, Forleo teaches readers to reframe their thoughts and approach challenges with optimism. No goal is too big or too small – whether it’s leaving a dead-end job, healing a relationship, or simply finding more free time in your day – this book will show you how to break it down and make it happen.
The more you go through this book, the better you will learn how adopting the right habits can help you achieve your goals, how to overcome the lack of time and money and the best way to handle criticism and imposter syndrome.
So, don’t waste another day stuck in the same old patterns – let Everything is Figureoutable train your brain for success.
10. The Widest Net by Pamela Slim
In her book, The Widest Net, Pamela Slim uses her extensive experience as a business coach to provide readers with tangible strategies for building a successful and sustainable business. She offers a comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship by drawing on marketing, sales, finance, and leadership techniques.
From developing an engaging brand identity to creating a profitable business model, The Widest Net provides practical advice for navigating the ever-changing world of business. In addition to offering step-by-step guidance, Slim also includes inspiring stories from fellow entrepreneurs as well as reflection exercises to help individuals assess their progress. With her insightful and actionable advice, She proves to be a valuable resource for aspiring small business owners.
To discover new customers right in front of you and skyrocket your business growth, order The Widest Net Today!
11. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
Many small business owners assume that mastery in their field and a passion for their work are enough to guarantee success. However, The E-Myth Revisited challenges this assumption and offers essential insights into how to run a successful business.
Gerber, an American author and founder of a business skills training company named Michael E. Gerber Companies, shares his sharp insight and years of expertise to make the book a must-read for any aspiring or established entrepreneur.
In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber challenges the traditional notions of entrepreneurship and small business ownership. Instead of just working in business, he encourages small business owners to work on it by creating turnkey systems that others can replicate. Creating turnkey systems allows for sustainable growth and frees you up to focus on areas where you can add the most value to your organization.
The Business Development Process outlined in the book serves as a framework for developing and implementing these systems at every level of the organization. By following Gerber’s advice and thinking like a franchisor, you can build a successful business that isn’t dependent on one person’s effort or expertise.
Order the book from here.
12. Ask for More by Alexandra Carter
Negotiation can often feel like a daunting task, with the pressure to “win” or come out ahead leading many to shy away from even attempting it. However, as Alexandra Carter explains in her book Ask for More, negotiation is not a zero-sum game. Typically, there are multiple options and opportunities for both parties to come out satisfied. In fact, focusing on finding a win-win solution can lead to longer-lasting and more successful outcomes.
From building strong relationships in your career to improving communication in your personal life, mastering the art of negotiation is an essential skill that can have far-reaching benefits.
Carter offers practical tips and strategies for approaching negotiations confidently and finding mutually beneficial solutions, proving that you don’t have to be intimidating or aggressive to get what you want. When it comes to negotiating in life, it’s time to ask for more.
Check out the book here.
13. The Like Switch by Jack Schafer
Everyone wants to be liked and trusted, but knowing how to build these relationships effectively can often be daunting. The Like Switch by Jack Schafer offers a unique approach to becoming likable and gaining people’s trust.
From his experience as a former FBI agent and behavior analyst, Schafer outlines practical strategies for improving social interactions and building successful connections with others. Along with providing specific techniques for reading body language and generating positive emotions.
The book also delves into topics such as empathy and the significance of controlling one’s actions in creating positive relationships with others. Whether you’re looking for tips on making friends or want to learn how to make a good impression in business settings, The Like Switch has something for everyone interested in improving their social skills.
You can order the book from here.
14. Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman
Ever find yourself wondering why some businesses seem to skyrocket while others struggle to get off the ground? The answer may lie in understanding the roles and dynamics of a Visionary and Integrator team. In Rocket Fuel, author Gino Wickman dives into the unique characteristics and complementary skill sets that make up these positions.
The Visionary is the big-picture thinker with big ideas, while the Integrator operates as the steady leader who turns those ideas into results. Through numerous case studies and real-world examples, Wickman demonstrates how a successful partnership between a Visionary and an Integrator can propel an organization to new levels of success. But he also cautions against mismatches or clashes between the two roles, highlighting the importance of finding the right fit for both positions to thrive. By taking a closer look at this dynamic duo, Rocket Fuel offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to increase efficiency and bring their business ventures to new heights.
Check out the book here.
15. The Million-Dollar One-Person Business by Elaine Pofedlt
The Million-Dollar One-Person Business offers practical advice for entrepreneurs who want to balance their personal and professional lives. Author Elaine Pofeldt highlights successful, one-person businesses that have achieved seven-figure revenues, showing readers that it is achievable with the right mindset and strategies.
Readers will learn how to prioritize their time, delegate tasks effectively, set realistic goals, and create systems for efficient growth. By taking control of their work-life balance, they can achieve financial success and enjoy the process.
Pofeldt’s book provides a roadmap for building a profitable business without sacrificing personal fulfillment. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to enjoy both success and a fulfilling life.
Make your purchase from here.
16. Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David
Your Next Five Moves offers a unique approach to problem-solving and decision-making, grounded in the philosophies of successful business leaders and champion chess players. Patrick Bet-David breaks down this methodology into easily digestible steps, providing practical tools for analyzing your current situation and identifying potential future challenges.
The book also delves into more intangible aspects of success, such as staying focused and handling pressure. Overall, Your Next Five Moves provides actionable advice for anyone looking to improve their performance in business or life. Plus, with its stimulating blend of personal anecdotes and inspiring case studies, the book is a delightful read for anyone interested in achieving success at their highest potential.
So why wait? Start planning your next moves today with Your Next Five Moves.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a great read to help with your small business, one of the books on this list is sure to fit the bill. Whether you need advice on financial planning, marketing, or simply staying motivated and inspired, these sixteen books have something to offer. What book will you choose to help your business thrive?
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