Blogging and Business Books I Love
I love reading articles and blog posts about “work” topics like blogging, social media, and marketing. But sometimes you just gotta sink yourself into a book for some deeper knowledge.
I thought it would be fun to share some of my top picks for books on blogging and business. I’ve read all but one (it’s on my wish list). And I wrote one too. Hehe. And two of the business books literally changed my work life.
This post contains affiliate links. It’s still awesome though.
Blogging Books
How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul
What Amazon Says:
Whether you’ve been blogging for years or just weeks, How to Blog for Profit offers solid guidance for writing great content, creating compelling images, capturing viral growth, and maximizing revenue. It is an invaluable tool for experienced and novice bloggers alike, explaining not only what it takes to create an authentic, successful, and profitable blog, but how to get there.
What I Say:
What a jam-packed e-book! I love how Ruth weaves in specific, actionable advice with stories about how she grew her blog. She also talks about mistakes she made along the way. This book is awesome for anyone looking to make money blogging.
Blogging for Dummies
What Amazon Says:
Blogging For Dummies: The blogosphere keeps changing and evolving, and so does this top blogging guide. A terrific book whether you’re just starting out or are already blogging regularly, this book provides solid information on blogging basics, the anatomy of a good blog, and the tools you need to get started. You’ll learn how to set up an account, find ample coverage of social plug-ins and emerging platforms, and discover savvy ways to write your first post. Best of all, the book explores how you can make real money from your passion and become a professional blogger.
What I Say:
The newest edition of Blogging for Dummies just came out last year so it’s freshly updated. If you want a handbook for blogging, this is it. It’s perfect for new bloggers and anyone who jumped into blogging with two feet and feel like they need some foundation.
Let Go
What Amazon Says:
Let Go by Pat Flynn:
In Let Go, Pat reveals the inside story of his transformation into one of today’s most beloved thought leaders in the areas of Internet business, online marketing, and lifestyle entrepreneurialism. He shares the challenges and feelings he faced as he pieced together what has become a thriving online enterprise.
What I Say:
Okay, I haven’t read this yet but it’s on my wish list. I’ve followed Pat’s blog Smart Passive Income since I first started blogging– he’s one of the most genuine, transparent bloggers out there. I’m especially interested in reading this because getting laid off was also the reason Blog Clarity exists! I never would have started this blog without that happening. The book looks like a quick read so I can’t wait to read it!
Blog Design for Dummies
What Amazon Says:
Blog Design For Dummies
: The average blogger does not typically have experience with design or coding, but that shouldn’t deter them from having a professional-looking blog design. This friendly and easy-to-understand guide provides you with the tools you need to establish a creative, unique, and aesthetically memorable blog without having to learn how to code beyond some basic CSS. You’ll find design tricks, helpful techniques, and invaluable advice for creating a great-looking and functional blog.
What I Say:
Well, I wrote it so anything I say will sound… weird. And like a humble brag. So I’ll defer you to the reviews on Amazon!
Business Books
The New Rules of Marketing and PR (4th Edition)
What Amazon Says:
The New Rules of Marketing & PR, 4th Edition is the pioneering guide to the future of marketing, an international bestseller with more than 300,000 copies sold in over 25 languages. It offers a step-by-step action plan for harnessing the power of modern marketing and PR to communicate with buyers directly, raise visibility, and increase sales. It shows how large and small companies, nonprofits, and other organizations can leverage Web-based content to get the right information to the right people at the right time for a fraction of the cost of big-budget campaigns.
What I Say:
I read this book years ago and was thrilled to see there’s an updated version! If you’re ever interested in learning more about marketing and PR, this is a great place to start. It’s not a marketing 101 type of book, but rather it’s full of case studies and great advice. I may have to snag this updated version for a re-read!
Never Eat Alone
What Amazon Says:
Never Eat Alone (Expanded and Updated): In Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi lays out the specific steps—and inner mindset—he uses to reach out to connect with the thousands of colleagues, friends, and associates on his contacts list, people he has helped and who have helped him. And in the time since Never Eat Alone was published in 2005, the rise of social media and new, collaborative management styles have only made Ferrazzi’s advice more essential for anyone hoping to get ahead in business.
What I Say:
This book? Changed my world. It was recommended to me at a time when I was unhappy in a job, but realized I didn’t really have that many connections to help me get a new one. Keith is a master at networking and this book gave me the confidence and know-how to network in a genuine way. I can’t tell you how many opportunities I’ve had SOLELY because of networking and getting to know people. Although it’s been a while since I’ve read it, I imagine many of the principles can apply to bloggers too.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
What Amazon Says:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change (25th Anniversary Edition)
was a groundbreaker when it was first published in 1990, and it continues to be a business bestseller with more than 10 million copies sold. Before you can adopt the seven habits, you’ll need to accomplish what Covey calls a “paradigm shift”–a change in perception and interpretation of how the world works. Covey takes you through this change, which affects how you perceive and act regarding productivity, time management, positive thinking, developing your “proactive muscles” (acting with initiative rather than reacting), and much more.
What I Say:
This book is a classic and for good reason. Game. Changer. While I’ve read the book, I’ve also had the opportunity to take both the 7 Habits training AND 7 Habits training for managers. At one of my old companies, every employee had to go through the training, which was awesome because we all spoke the same “language” and could reference these principles. I apply the things I’ve learned from my 7 Habits courses to both my blogging and my marketing work. Things like beginning with the end in mind might sound obvious, but when you read this book, you’ll get a deeper understanding and appreciation for each “habit.” And see how to work them into your everyday life.
Monster Loyalty
What Amazon Says:
Monster Loyalty: How Lady Gaga Turns Followers into Fanatics
: [Lady Gaga]’s one of the most popular social media voices in the world with more than 33 million Twitter followers and 55 million Facebook fans. And she got there by methodically building a grassroots base of what she calls her “Little Monsters”—passionate fans who look to her not just for music but also for joy, inspiration, and a sense of community. In Monster Loyalty marketing expert Jackie Huba explores Gaga’s biography and fan philosophy and isolates the seven lessons any business can learn from her.
What I Say:
I received this book after Jackie spoke at the Disney Social Media Mom Conference in 2013. I’ve been pretty indifferent about Lady Gaga until I read this book. I just love the lessons Jackie shares as well as the case studies she includes (it’s not all about Gaga). Great book for anyone in social media looking to build an audience.
Any one of these you’d like to read?
