I’m like a sponge to information that is relevant to me, but…
I’m impatient.
If I don’t learn something relevant immediately, like in the title, or at least on the first page, books tend to get binned.
Other stuff gets done. I’m a pragmatist, that’s just the way it is.
In fact, I’ll only actually read an entire book if it is so unmissable, so relevant, so enthralling that I’m hooked from the word go. Maybe you’re the same?
The fact this list has reached a grand total of 6 titles is a minor miracle.
And that’s why I’d like to recommend these titles to you, because of the impact they’ve had on me.
And not only that, as you’ll discover if you read these books, aside from filling your head with glorious ideas and actionable tasks, they will in turn introduce you to other equally relevant books and inspiring authors.
The idea that one great read leads to the next and before you know it you’re a professor is probably not new but it has only recently dawned on me!
Anyway, will this list appeal you?
I know the readership of this blog has a fantastic cross-section, from ‘successful business owner’ to ‘high-flying senior-management’ and on to ‘never say die marketer’…
And I know you’ve all got a genuine and passionate interest in improving your marketing knowledge from both a strategic and tactical level; you will definitely benefit from the collective marketing wisdom within these books.
Here we go then, in no particular order…
Six books that will utterly transform the way you think about marketing your building products, your technical services and your business as a whole.
Start with Why: Simon Sinek
One line sum-up … “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it”.
Click to buy this book from Amazon
The Jelly Effect: Andy Bounds
One line sum-up … Stop selling what you do, start selling what happens as a result of the work done – The AFTER’s.
Click to buy this book from Amazon
The E-Myth Revisited: Michael E. Gerber
One line sum-up … Technicians start new businesses, strategists help them grow and processes make them a success.
Click to buy this book from Amazon
Ogilvy on Advertising: David Ogilvy
One line sum-up … “When I write an advertisement, I don’t want you to tell me that you find it ‘creative.’ I want you to find it so interesting that you buy the product.” plus many, many more golden nuggets of that ilk.
Click to buy this book from Amazon
Commonsense Direct and Digital Marketing: Drayton Bird
One line sum-up – “…You can’t go wrong by forking out £25 for a copy of this book – but if it’s digital insight you’re after I’d give it the bird…” (not my line, but I wish it had been).
Click to buy this book from Amazon
Tested Advertising Methods: John Caples
One line sum-up – John Caples influenced David Ogilvy, Drayton Bird, Andy Bounds, Me and probably countless others.
Click to buy this book from Amazon
So, there you have it. Six books that will utterly transform the way you think about marketing your building products, your technical services and your business as a whole.
Let me be one of the people who convinces you that these books are worth finding the time to read and please do let me know if they resonate with you too – we’ll have lots to talk about if they do.
Cheers, Nick
By all means share any books you’ve read recently in the comments. I, for one, am always keen to learn.
Butt-covering caveat: Not all the advice within these texts is gospel. Some of it was written before ‘the internet’ was even invented. Some of it before TV advertising!
Nick,
Great list of books. Saw Drayton Bird at an internet marketing seminar and his knowledge on delivery of the simple elements of sales copy was amazing. On that basis alone i would recommend Drayton Bird’s book. Just need to read the rest.
You’re right Daryl, Drayton is most definitely a genius. I saw him in Bristol at the beginning of the year and found his insights immediately appealing and actionable. It was him who guided me to read David Ogilvy and John Caples. I guess it’s no coincidence that he has also hooked up with Andy Bounds too for his last Eadim conference.