31 of the Best Business Books for Solopreneurs and Micro Business Owners
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 7:00AM Knowledge is power and this is especially true for small business owners; solopreneurs and micro business owners. Whether it’s staying ahead of the curve or operating your business with limited resources, you have to be able to make adjustments and decisions based on relevant and current information as it applies to you and your business.
We asked over 97 solopreneurs and micro business owners what business books have they read that not only have they read multiple times, but made such an impact on them or that they found it so profound, it changed the way they do business. Some of the books are well known and others are considered “best kept secrets.” One thing is for sure, these books can be powerful tools for you to build, develop and grow your business.
When you read business books, it important that you take action where necessary, delve deeper when needed and re-read for reminders.
Get the most from your business books:
Read one business book a month or quarter, implement one or two new practices and see where your business ends up after a year.
Create a business book club within your network. Each person reads a business book shares or reports back to the group key insights and tips or the most important aspects of the book.
Swap or trade business books with your network, colleagues and friends.
Many of the tips, tools and techniques found in the following books have been found to be useful, empowering and inspiring. Here are 31 of the best business books for solopreneurs and micro business owners:
1. 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris – Provides a variety of tips and practices to achieve the 4-hour workweek the title refers to; however, it is NOT a get-rich-quick-scheme book. Submitted by R. Kaplan, www.surfohio.com
2. 9 Lies That Are Holding Your Business Back by Steve Chandler and Sam Beckford - Helps shed light on some of the biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs make and how to prevail. Submitted by T. Scarda, www.franchoice.com
3. 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch - A little-known must-read. I took it out of the library 4 times before I realized I had to buy it, have multiple copies, and distribute to everyone I know. Submitted by L. Enock, www.CUcontent.com
4. 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence by Thomas J. Peters – Reference for business practices that produce immediate results. Great for those with short attention spans. Submitted by L. Baer, www.baerdesign.com
5. Become Your Own Boss In 12 Months by Melinda Emerson – Step-by-step guide for stepping out on your own the SMART way, the PRACTICAL way... the ONLY way. Submitted by A.Michelle Blakeley,www.simplicitymastered.com
6. Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port - (Received numerous amounts of submissions for this book) A must read for solopreneurs and micro business owners. Submitted first by M. Tremblay
7. Coherent Strategy and Execution: An eye-opening parable about leadership and management by Ravi Kathuria - Part fiction but based on real business, not just theory. Ultimately, the company is a success, but only because the CEO was willing to let down his guard, listen to a mentor and realize that he still had a lot to learn - a lesson many small business owners still need to learn. Submitted by B. Price, www.AgamaAdvertising.com
8. Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk – Teaches honesty and transparency above all else, as well as “getting into the trenches” through social media to effectively interact with customers, peers and the media. Submitted by B. MacGregor, www.costrefuge.com
9. Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty: The only networking book you'll ever need by Harvey Mackay – Details what it means to network and the types of people one should have in one's network. Submitted by T. Lobell, Ph.D., http://drthea.com
10. E-Myth by Michael Gerber – (Received numerous amounts of submissions for this book) A must read for solopreneurs and micro business owners. Submitted first by H. Cohen, www.trainingsolutions-hlc.com
11. Four Steps To The Epiphany by Steve Blank - A heavy focus on truly understanding customer needs before you determine the business model that is right for your business. Submitted by A. Rodnitzky, www.reteltechnologies.com
12. Getting Real by 37 Signals – Learn how to limit your hours to 40 hours maximum every week to maintain steady, sustainable motivation. Submitted by D. Croak
13. Getting to Yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in by Roger Fisher and William Ury - Negotiate fees and terms that benefit you, your company and your clients. Submitted by S. Bender Phelps, www.OdysseyMentoring.com
14. Go Givers by Bob Burg and John David Mann – This book gives new relevance to the old proverb, “Give and ye shall receive.” Submitted by C. Hasbrouck, www.intentionallivingonline.com
15. How to Become a Rainmaker by David Fox – Recommended reading for all my existing and new clients. Submitted by N. Anderson, www.thecouragegroup.com
16. Interview Tactics: How to survive the media without getting clobbered by Gayl Murphy – Helpful guide to learning how to make the most of media interviews. Submitted by S. Levin, www.speakerservices.com
17. Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath - Teaches one how to convey ideas in very powerful ways that "stick" in your listener's brain. And what's more important than that when you're trying to sell an idea, a service or a product? Submitted by M. Lindenberger, www.bocacommunications.com
18. Making a Living Without a Job by Barbara Winters - A hand-holder for when you want to give up on the “solopreneur” thing. Submitted by K. Caterson, http://squarepegpeople.typepad.com
19. Million Dollar Consulting: The Professional’s Guide to Growing a Practice by Alan Weiss – Recommended for anyone starting of any type of business. Worth re-reading at least once a year. Submitted by C. Smith, www.magnusco.com
20. Mommy Millionaire: How I turned my kitchen table idea into a million dollars and you can too! by Kim Lavine – Step by step guide. Unlike other books that are just motivational, Kim describes her personal experiences with buyers, how to get their numbers, how to determine pricing, how to manufacture your product, etc. Submitted by S. Krikelis, www.relaxmissy.com
21. Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi – A book full of strategies, advice and confidence builders for networking, connecting and building your brand. Submitted by B. Carnduff, www.echelonseo.com
22. Off the Wall Marketing Ideas by Nancy Michaels and Debby J. Karpowicz - Full of fun success stories and anecdotes. The book never gets old; its lessons are just as applicable in everyday life as they are in business. Submitted by A. Fisher, www.growyourbusinessnetwork.com
23. Permission Based Marketing by Seth Godin - Marketing in the modern environment. How to focus not just on selling your products but on gaining permission for further contact through newsletters, blog subscriptions, e-blasts, etc. Submitted by L. Sanders, www.blackvelvetseductions.com
24. Predictably Irrational: The hidden forces that shape our decisions by Dan Ariely - This book makes behavioral economics fun, interesting and even laugh-out-loud funny while providing real world examples. It also saves you from making poor buying decisions because you’ll soon know why the human mind really wants things like that free gift with purchase--even when you know you don't need it. Submitted by S. Karacostas www.theunchainedentrepreneur.com
25. The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki - The phases a startup company should go through to be a successful company. Essential for creating a progressive company focused on excellence instead of marginal company. Submitted by Ellen Lytle, M.A., M.Des.
26. The Heart of Marketing: Love Your Customers and They Will Love You Back by Judith Sherven, Ph.D., and Jim Sniechowski, Ph.D. - It is the solopreneur's guide to heart-based, client-oriented, soft-sell marketing. Submitted by S. Dayhoff, Ph.D, www.getyouridealclient.com
27. The Long Tail: Why the future of business is selling less of more by Chris Anderson - Shows the power of the Internet to sell products and services that would never have been viable on the offline world. Submitted by B. Fuhrmann, www.ownapainting.com
28. The Success Principles by Jack Canfield - Following along with the adage "how you do anything is how you do everything," I've slowly incorporated many of the lessons in the book into my life and my business has flourished because of it. Submitted by A. Faiola, www.BrambleBerry.com
29. The War of Art: Break through the blocks and win your inner creative battles by Steven Pressfield - Hits head-on so many of the excuses used in small business and how to change and adjust your mindset. Submitted by W. Riggens-Miller, www.wendiriggens.com
30. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – (Received numerous amounts of submissions for this book) A must read for solopreneurs and micro business owners. Submitted first by R. Williams, www.greenwaycapitalmanagement.biz
31. To the Rescue: The small business survival guide by Ray Silverstein - How to translate “tighten your belt,” “do more with less” and “think creatively” into specific actions. And what do you do if you are already in trouble. Submitted by J. Levine, www.lekasandlevine.com
BONUS:
Make Today County by John C. Maxwell - Get your personal priorities in order and your business priorities will follow.
Taxpertise: The Complete Book of Dirty Little Secrets and Tax Deductions for Small Business the IRS Doesn't Want You to Know by Bonnie Lee - In a conversational tone, tax issues for small business from what you can or cannot deduct to self-employment tax (the big hit that can put even low income entrepreneurs into a 50% tax bracket) to home office, to IRS problem resolution including the formula the IRS uses to determine an acceptable offer in compromise on delinquent tax liabilities (pay pennies on the dollar!) are addressed.
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A.Michelle Blakeley is in the listening business. As a Micro Business Therapist, she provides an open-minded and non-judgmental ear to listen to the real issues and concerns that start-up, emerging and women entrepreneurs experience and negotiate solutions through comprehensive discussions and practical micro business plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter, contributor for the San Francisco Examiner and Fearless Woman Magazine; the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com and author of the NEW e-book: “Get it Right and Move Along… a collection of practical tips, tools and techniques for small business owners.”
Reader Comments (13)
Thanks Michelle for sharing these great resources in one place. I have a few of these books, others have been on my list to read, and now I have more to go get. I am always looking for inspiration to help other business owners become more efficient in their business.
@Janice - Thank YOU for reading my article. Business books are a fast and effective way to gain valuable knowledge that can be implemented immediately. AMB
Great list! I would add the following:
The Referral Engine
ReWork
BuzzMarketing
Each are very good! The Referral Engine is in my top 3 business reads ever.
Thanks so much Michelle for this list. A lot of books I have never heard of. Going to make a list and head up to the library soon!!
And the concept of asking everyone for submissions is cool. A lot of us could incorporate this idea and make a really valuable article.
That is a great list. There are many on there that I will add to my reading list. A few I would add to your list are: The Richest Man in Babylon, Linchpin, by Seth Godin, and a newer one, The Connectors, by Maribeth Kuzmeski- how the world's most succesful businesspeople build relationships and win clients for life. -I've read it twice and found it to be very valuable.
Glad I found you!
I would add "Blue Ocean Strategy: How to create uncontested market space" by W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne
This book didn't just inspire me to think outside the box, but gave me jumping off points. It's the best marketing book I have read.
Hi Michelle,
I would add The Business of Being David – How to use social media to make your small business big by Nick Bowditch to your list. It outlines how Nick has successfully built a couple of businesses from scratch using nothing but social media marketing. It’s a story that will not just be interesting to other small business owners, but anyone who appreciates a real David and Goliath story of the little guy being able to compete with the big boys.
Hello Michelle,
Great list here! I've got to get to reading more! I think I read only 6 books from your list. My favorite current book is the Gary V. book, "Crush It." I think the main take away I got from that book is to get out and connect with your audience...by blog, by phone, by your personal and professional network.....just get yourself out there and success will follow.
@Elizabeth - Thanks for the additional reads!
@Jen - Thanks! Yes, please feel free to add your suggestions and let us know how your reading goes!
@Wendi - Thanks for the additional books! And I'm glad you found me too! ;)
@Leah - Fantastic! Can't wait to take a peek!
@Sarah - Thanks! Love a good David and Goliath story.
@Bruce - There's not enough time in the day! I love business books. They are chock full of tidbits and "aha" moments!
I love this list, Michelle. Thank you! I plan to get some of these right away. I also love Seth Godin, and find he has a lot of great wisdom and common sense ideas.
I want to suggest 'The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur', by Mike Michalowicz. A great fun read, filled with good advice and real information.
I'm very glad I found you!