16 business books to read this year
Get inspiration and motivation to bring your business to the next level.
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The following books are a combination of books I’ve read and learned from as well as recommendations from the Hustle Global community. Happy reading!
1. The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
The Mom Test teaches you how to talk about your business ideas without being misled by polite responses, especially from friends and family. It shows you how to ask the right questions that get you useful and honest feedback. This book is great if you want to make your business idea a reality and avoid common mistakes.
2. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Raz Tahl
Never Split the Difference is written by a former FBI hostage negotiator and it's all about how to use negotiation skills in your daily life and business. Chris Voss shares techniques on how to negotiate better deals, solve problems, and get what you want by understanding how people think. It's perfect if you’re looking to improve your communication and negotiation skills.
3. Hacking Growth by Morgan Brown and Sean Ellis
Hacking Growth is about how companies like Airbnb and LinkedIn grew so fast. It teaches you strategies and techniques to attract more customers and grow your business quickly. This book is a must-read if you want to take your business to the next level.
4. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B Cialdini PhD
This book explains why people say "yes" and how to apply these understandings in various scenarios. It's packed with insights into the psychology of persuasion which can help you become better at influencing customers and growing your business. It's great if you’re looking to understand and leverage the power of persuasion.
5. E-Myth by Michael Gerber
E-Myth busts the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows why most small businesses don't work and what to do about it. It teaches the importance of working on your business, not just in it, by setting up good systems. This book is ideal if you’re looking to avoid common pitfalls and grow your businesses effectively.
💡Recommended by Stephanie Ward.
6. This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
Seth Godin's This Is Marketing argues that marketing isn't about the stuff you make but the stories you tell. The book is a guide to marketing that starts with empathy and creating value. It's essential reading if you want to make your marketing more effective by truly connecting with your audience.
💡Recommended by Stephanie Ward.
7. Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson
Expert Secrets is about building a loyal following around your brand or product by positioning yourself as an expert in your field. Russell Brunson offers practical advice on creating a message that resonates and turning knowledge into income. Read it to learn how to make a bigger impact with your business.
💡Recommended by Marcel Wijermars.
8. Getting to Yes by Fisher Ury Roger William
Getting to Yes offers a straightforward, universally applicable method for negotiating personal and professional disputes without getting taken and without getting angry. It's about finding win-win solutions that respect both parties' interests. This book is perfect if you’re looking to improve your negotiation skills.
9. Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
Ego is the Enemy teaches you that the biggest obstacle to success is often our ego. It discusses how our ego can lead us to failure and offers advice on how to overcome it to achieve success. It's a great read if you want to stay focused and avoid the traps of arrogance and overconfidence.
10. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This classic book offers timeless advice on how to communicate better, understand people, and get along with them. Dale Carnegie's principles are simple but effective, like showing genuine interest in others and remembering their names. It's essential if you’re looking to improve your people skills in business and life.
11. Thinking Fast and Slow by Kahneman Daniel
Thinking Fast and Slow explores how we think, showing that we have two systems of thought: a fast, intuitive one, and a slower, more deliberate one. Understanding these can help you make better decisions, think more clearly, and avoid common errors. It's a great read if you’re interested in improving your decision-making skills.
12. Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan
Million Dollar Weekend is a guide to launching a profitable online business over a weekend. The author, Noah Kagan, an entrepreneur known for his work with Facebook and Mint.com, shares practical steps and strategies to turn your idea into a money-making venture quickly. This book is ideal if you want to bypass the traditional long startup process and see results fast.
💡Recommended by Marcus Engel.
13. Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age by Jonah Berger
Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age explores why certain things become popular and how you can use these principles to make your product or idea catch on. Jonah Berger, a marketing professor, breaks down the six key elements that make content viral and how to apply them. This book is perfect if you’re looking for tips on how to make your ideas spread like wildfire in today's digital world.
💡Recommended by Teodora Virban.
14. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens is a broad sweep of human history, explaining how Homo sapiens came to dominate the world. Yuval Noah Harari explores everything from the cognitive revolution 70,000 years ago, which changed our brains, to the agricultural revolution, which altered our societies. This book is great if you’re interested in understanding how humans have evolved over the ages and how these changes have shaped our societies and behaviors today.
💡Recommended by Thom Wernke.
15. Create Once, Distribute Forever by Ross Simmonds
Create Once, Distribute Forever teaches the importance of leveraging the content you create to maximize its impact over time. Ross Simmonds teaches you strategies to make your content work harder for you by distributing it across various channels effectively. This book is a great resource whether you’re a marketer, content creator, or entrepreneur who wants to get the most out of your content investments and build a lasting digital presence.
16. $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi
$100m Offers teaches you how to create irresistible offers that drastically increase the value of your products or services. Alex Hormozi outlines techniques to craft offers that customers feel compelled to buy at higher prices. This book is essential if you’re looking to boost sales, attract more customers, and maximize profits through strategic offer design.
💡Recommended by Nour Shaaban.
💡What books would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!