When you’re trying to make it in the business world, knowledge is everything, and there’s no better way to get your hands on that knowledge than by reading. Sure, the whole “leaders are readers” schtick is done to death, but that’s because it works!
Here’s our must-read list of business books to take that first step towards being the entrepreneur you’ve always dreamed of being.
1. The 4-Hour Work Week
Written by entrepreneur Tim Ferriss, The 4-Hour Work Week is a New York Times bestseller that’s perfect for giving yourself that first nudge towards escaping the 9-5 and climbing to the top of the business world. You’ll learn how to do as successful people do, minimizing workload while maximizing income.
2. The Go-Giver
The perfect book for small businesses, The Go-Giver explains the importance of going above and beyond for your clients. By giving back to your clients, rather than just taking your profits, you create a good reputation for yourself that will get your name out there and take your business to new heights.
3. The Bible
The Bible provides wisdom whether you’re religious or not. Many Biblical principles can be applied not only to your faith but to how you conduct yourself in the business world. You’ll be able to find nuggets of wisdom such as leadership skills, ethics, and how to give back to your community.
4. Poverty, Riches, and Wealth
Poverty, Riches, and Wealth brings a scriptural approach to defeating poverty mindsets that are holding you back from success. In addition, it’ll help you to distinguish between riches and wealth, allowing you to be content no matter the circumstances while always working to improve.
5. Dot Com Secrets
An absolute essential for online sellers, Dot Com Secrets is one of entrepreneur Russel Brunson’s two books on creating an irresistible offer. By learning to offer what your clients want, you’ll ensure a steady stream of satisfied customers that’ll transform your business.
6. Expert Secrets
The second of Russel Brunson’s two books on creating an irresistible offer, Expert Secrets focuses much more on presenting an appealing offer. Using its information alongside the information from Dot Com Secrets, you can both give clients offers they’ll be willing to buy and get the word about them out into the world.
7. Ultimate Sales Machine
Ultimate Sales Machine is all about forming connections in the business world. By getting in touch with like-minded entrepreneurs, you can expand your network, reach a wider audience, and get useful insights into how to best operate your own business.
8. E-Myth Revisited
Leadership books are key for small business owners, and E-Myth Revisited teaches you everything you need to know about leading your business. You’ll learn how to delegate work, create systems, and generally take the work off of your hands.
9. No BS Guide to Marketing to the Affluent
Written to help small business owners increase their profit margin, the No BS Guide to Marketing to the Affluent helps you understand who you’re marketing to, what they’re willing to pay, and how to make them feel they’re getting their money’s worth. Whether you’re marketing to the middle class or the ultra-rich, you’ll be able to give them the perfect products and prices.
10. Money Master the Game
For entrepreneurs who’ve “made it,” the question arises: what next? As it turns out, the reality of financial freedom hasn’t set in for many wealthy individuals, and that can hold them back from growing even further. Money Master the Game teaches you how to best adjust your spending habits and investments according to your means.
11. 100 Million Dollar Offers
100 Million Dollar Offers touches on the idea of an irresistible offer once again, allowing you to make better products, better deals, and happier clients, all the while upping your profits per order. We can’t recommend it enough for anyone trying to make their business more appealing to their clientele.
12. Traction
A bit more of an advanced read, Traction helps those who’ve established themselves in the business world to create a firmer business structure. By reading it, you’ll gain some invaluable insight into organization, scheduling, and everything else you need to keep your business running smoothly.
13. Driven
Though success is primarily achieved through hard work, could there be an inherent, genetic factor involved? Driven explores this question, covering the genes, conditions, and upbringings shared by entrepreneurs, pro athletes, navy SEALs, and maybe even you! If you want to learn how to best harness your natural gifts and talents, this is the book for you.
14. Essentialism
If you feel stretched too thin, the problem may not be the amount of work, but a lack of assertiveness. Essentialism teaches you how to say no for the better yes, taking on only the most important tasks so that you can commit yourself fully to them, rather than getting tied up in unimportant matters out of courtesy.
15. The Gap and The Gain
The Gap and The Gain teaches you how to conquer the mental block of entrepreneurship, focusing on how far you’ve come rather than how much is left. If you need something to push you out of that rut of demotivation, give it a read!
For more advice on building a successful business and escaping the 9-5 without sacrificing your personal life, visit our blog or listen to our podcast at The Rainmaker Family!
