Books You Should Read

Basic Business Books:

The Impact Factor (Ken McArthur) -Ken's book is loaded with advice on how to get your message heard. Step-by-step plans, lists, and bullet points are provided to help you put his advice into action. He illustrates everything with personal examples from his own experience and the experiences of others. A must read for anyone trying to stand out in the online business crowd.

Conversations with Millionaires (Mike Litman) - The first business book I ever read. It is filled with secrets from successful millionaires that will help you skip lots of struggle and wasted time and help you get started making money.

The E-Myth (Michael Gerber) - Just because you have a skill or knowledge or a great business idea, doesn't mean it will be a success. If your business is totally dependent on you being there to make money, it's not much better than a normal job. This book will show you how to turn your business into a system, like Starbucks or McDonalds, which anyone can run.

Take Action! Revise Later: A Simple Guide to Success in Business(Bob Jenkins) - I bought this only because I met Bob at a jvAlert event. I saw the book and since I learned quite a bit from him at the event, decided it might be a worthwhile read. And it was. Not only did he show me I didn't have to get it exactly right the first time because I could always change it later, it is filled with tips to help you take the action necessary to get your business going. I even have TARL posted on the wall in my office as a reminder to Take Action! Revise Later.

Marketing Books:

Guerilla Marketing (Jay Abraham) - My business bible-every small-business owner should have it on their bookshelf.

Duct Tape Marketing (John Jantsch) - Practical advice on creating a marketing system that won't cost you a fortune to implement.

Testosterone Free Marketing (Denise Michaels) - One of the best business books I have ever read. If you have ever dreaded having to get out there and ask for the sale, this is the book for you.

It's Not About You, It's About Bacon: Relationship Marketing in a Social Media World (Brian Basilico) - If you are looking for a “How-to” social networking book, then this is not for you. This is a “Why-to” book. If you have been overwhelmed and confused by all the conflicting examples and theories about why social networking works for some and not for others, this book will be an eye-opening breath of fresh air.

31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles (Tracy Repchuk) - I love books that give tell you why and how something works.  I also love books that give you definite steps to follow to make that something work for you.  This book does both!

PR:

How to Get On The News Without Committing Murder (Beverly Mahone) -This book is simply brilliant. Bev tells you exactly what you need to know and shares her personal secrets on getting media attention. With all of the information she provides, she makes it easy to gain the publicity you need to shine the spotlight on yourself and your business.

Customer Service:

The Celebrity Experience (Donna Cutting) - Customer service should be a red carpet experience. At least that's what author Donna Cutting believes.

Becoming a Meeting Planner:

The Everything Guide to Being an Event Planner: Insider Advice on Turning Your Creative Energy into a Rewarding Career  (Jennifer Mancuso) - Offers insider advice on how to: tailor events to each client; build client relationships; and, market and network at each event. Whether you have recently earned a hospitality degree or are looking for a change of careers, this book helps you to break into this exciting field.

Start Your Own Event Planning Business (Entrepreneur Press) - Walks readers step by step through the process of developing an event planning business, featuring more resources, new trends, new online tools and new interviews with fresh advice from successful event planners.

Starting a Photography Business:

Photography Business Secrets: The Savvy Photographer's Guide to Sales, Marketing, and More (Lara White) - Whether yours is a new or long-standing photography business, you have plenty of competition. Lara White has collected the best advice from her popular photography business website, Photomint.com, into this guide for your reference. She covers establishing your brand, defining policies, setting prices, creating a marketing plan, networking, and a great deal more.

Starting a Catering Business:

The Professional Caterer's Handbook: How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Catering Business (Lora Arduser) - Do you need a comprehensive book on how to plan, start and operate a successful catering operation? This is it--an extensive, detailed manual that shows you step by step how to set up, operate and manage a financially successful catering business.

http://www.boomer-business-ideas.com/Booksyoushouldread.html

Catering: A Guide to Managing a Successful Business Operation(Bruce Mattel) - In this invaluable reference, The Culinary Institute of America provides all the information that caterers and would-be caterers need to set up and run a successful catering business of any kind.

Career Coaching:

Career Coaching: An Insider's Guide (Marcia Bench) - Reveals the 26 strategies you must master to be a successful career coach.

Absolute Must Reads:

21 Ways to Make Money Speaking (Felicia Slattery) - No matter what business you start, you can expand it and promote it through public speaking.  And Felicia will show you 21 different ways to do it!

The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed: The Only Personal Finance System for People with Not-So-Regular Jobs (Joseph D’Agnese and Denise Kiernan) - The title says it all.  If you are self-employed, you need to read this book!