Top 10 Books for Entrepreneurs
Whether you are starting a business or have a business in need
of a rebirth good advice from experts can improve your chances of success.
Good advice, however, doesn't come cheap, nor should it for that
matter. If you, like most aspiring entrepreneurs or small business owners and
are on a limited budget paying for that advice can be a bit of a problem.
Fortunately we CAN get quality advice from experts who can help
us build our new or evolving businesses. The great thing about these experts is
that you don't have to set an appointment, be on their schedule, or pay hourly
fees; instead they can work around you. These experts come to your house, your
business, your car, or frankly pretty much wherever you feel is convenient.
These experts in the form of books, whether traditional or audio
books, give you the opportunity to get expert advice, when you want it, how you
want it, and at an amazingly low price.
What top 10 books would I recommend for you if you are starting
a business, thinking about starting a business, or attempting to jump start
your business? Here are my top 10 books for entrepreneurs with an explanation
as to why I believe they are important to you and your business.
1. The Magic of
Thinking Big. David J.
Schwarz. When I started my first business ( a LONG time ago) this was the first
book my mentor gave me to read. One of the most influential books on motivation
and goal setting it comes highly recommended by such famous authors as Tim
Ferriss of The 4-hour Workweek.
Make this the FIRST book you read.
2. The Lean
Startup. Eric Ries. If you are just starting a business this book can save
you a ton of money and TIME! Dave Ries gives us the lean startup principles of
build, measure, and learn with a MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT which allows new
entrepreneurs to find out what customers REALLY want.
3. How to Make
Millions with your Ideas. Dan S. Kennedy. Dan Kennedy has not only made
millions but taught thousands of entrepreneurs how to make millions. While
somewhat dated, this book is a valuable tool to help new entrepreneurs focus in
on proven methods to turn ideas into riches.
4. The
E-Myth Revisited. Michael E.
Gerber. This book is without-a-doubt a MUST READ for ANY business owner. In
this book you learn why being an expert at a business can actually be harmful
to the business. His step-by-step analysis of the life of a small business will
be invaluable to the aspiring business owner.
5. The $100
Startup. Chris Guillebeau. The $100 Startup was JUST published and has
already hit 5-star status on Amazon. Chris gives us a simple six-step process
to begin selling something online, NOW. If you're familiar with Tim Ferris'
work and are looking for your muse this is a book to help you find it!
6. Likeable
Social Media. Dave Kerpen. If you only purchase one book about how to use
social media, Facebook, Twitter, etc.; by this one. If you have any doubts
whether Dave Kerpen knows what he's writing about just read the Introduction of
the book (free in your local book store or at Amazon.com). Mr. Kerpen's understanding
of how social media plays into business is spot on and any entrepreneur will
benefit from this book.
7. The 4-hour
Work Week. Tim Ferriss. If you've been reading my blog recently you'll know
that this top 10 book has been a life-changing book for me. In my opinion Tim
Ferriss completely revolutionizes the ideas of how to own and operate a
business. Another early read for new and/or aspiring business owners.
8. One Simple
Idea. Stephen Key. Stephen Key, like Dan S. Kennedy has not only made
millions of dollars he's also helped thousand earn millions as well. How do you
take an idea from thought to actual product or service Stephen Key shows you
how. As one reviewer put it, "An essential guide to get paid for your
ideas!"
9. Ready Fire
Aim. Michael Masterson. What's the first priority in business? Read this
top 10 book and find out. Designed to help those who are or want to be business
owners, Michael Masterson's book cuts to the chase on what a business owner
needs to go from zero to millions of dollars.
10. Steve
Jobs. Walter Isaacson. What can I say that hasn't already been said about
Steve Jobs? One of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time, Walter Isaacson
takes the readers behind the scenes to see how Steve went from a garage to
building the most valuable company in the world. Love him or hate him you can
learn a lot about how to build a business from Steve Jobs.
By-the-way, this list is NOT a prioritized list of top 10 books,
BUT as I mentioned I would recommend reading the Magic of Thinking Big first.
Hopefully the explanations in my top 10 books for entrepreneurs
will help you decide what to read and in what order. I've included hyperlinks
to each book so you can read the book descriptions, editorial reviews,
publisher's notes, and customer reviews to help you make better decisions. It's
my hope that by reading these top 10 books and going to these
"experts" you can build strong profitable businesses.
Keith Shafer has a passion for helping others become successful
at business and life. He firmly believes that our future depends on the
concepts of free enterprise, business ownership, and individual liberty. Keith
believes that with every right comes a responsibility. A retired officer with
over 20 years of active military service, he has been in the education industry
for over twenty years. Mr. Shafer has owned a number of businesses, been
involved in multi-level marketing, network marketing, as well as direct sales
marketing. He knows the grind of a 9-5 existence on the 40-year plan and is
keen to help others break out of their chains as well. Keith is an accomplished
business owner, real estate entrepreneur and stock investor. Married to the
same wonderful woman for nearly 37 years, he and his wife have two grown boys
and were just blessed with their first grandchild. Read more from Keith at http://empoweredpros.com
