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Business Books: Recommended and Reviewed by Excess Voice Subscribers.

Looking for books that have been read and recommended by 'people like you'? More than just copywriting books, this list comprises titles that have won the approval of subscribers to the Excess Voice newsletter.

If you subscribe to the newsletter and have read any books you would like to recommend, send the titles, author names and brief summaries to me at nick@excessvoice.com.

SALES AND MARKETING

Purple Cow: Transform your Business by Being Remarkable, by Seth Godin
"To me it's about keeping it simple ... this is a quick easy read which deals with the importance of standing out, and it relates well to all with common everyday business case scenarios." B.A.

Selling with Emotional Intelligence, by Mitch Anthony
"Wow. This is a very good book. Unlike many "sales" books it's almost devoid of hype. It's almost a clinical consultation, with DIY exercises to assess your own emotional smarts. Turns out I could do with more restraint and resilience, while I'm pretty strong at empathy. Knowing your personal needs really focuses you on the rest of the book - the answers to problems you yourself identified. Good copywriting principle there!" S.Y.

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, by Al Ries
"It's fun to read and provides an excellent view into how to improve your marketing strategy." K.Q.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, by Malcolm Gladwell
"The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life, is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do."

Selling the Invisible, by Harry Beck
"The best sales book I've read. A must for anyone in business, not just the sales staff." N.P.

How To Become A Marketing Superstar, by Jeffrey Fox
"I know some people think it's lame and there is no real content to it, but I found the format and the advice offered to be invaluable. In particular, his comments on dollarization I think could really help copywriters." J.H.

Commonsense Direct Marketing, by Drayton Bird
"A real nuts and bolts book about what works and doesn't in the world of direct marketing." P.W.

The Creative Habit, by Twyla Tharp
"So far it is one of the best and most thorough books on how to learn the creative habit and put it into practice every day. Haven't gotten all the way through it yet, but so far it's worth every penny." R.M.

The Cluetrain Manifesto, by Chris Locke et al
"It changed the focus of all my ideas about business since the Internet arrived on the scene. Eye-opening and an easy read!" C.A.

WRITING, DESIGN & USABILITY

Read This! Business Writing that Works, by Robert Gentle
"It's on business writing in general, but many of the things apply to webcopy as well, and I can't praise it enough." E.D.

It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be, by Paul Arden
"Arden is a former ad man at Saatchi & Saatchi in the UK. It's a fun read and although it's not only about the writing craft, I've found it applicable to work life for most creative folks." R.M.

STARTING AND BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS

Adventures of a Bystander, by Peter Drucker
"Fantastic. It's not a 'business book', but it is the equivalent of a fireside chat with one of the 20th century's greatest business thinkers. Great character studies of people he knew in an fascinating time of history - Austria between the world wars." S.Y.

Getting Business to Come to You, by Paul and Sarah Edwards
"It has lots of great ideas for generating more business leads." K.A.

The Business Side of Creativity: The Complete Guide for Running a Graphic Design or Communications Business, by Cameron S. Foote
"This is the best overall business book I've ever read. Very practical advice for all aspects of running and growing a communication based business. Good information about freelancing, setting rates, managing subcontractors, contracting to big companies and making sure you get paid." J.F.

The Six Month Fix: Adventures in Rescuing Failing Companies, by Gary Sutton
"The author is an accomplished turnaround specialist who works with ailing and failing businesses. What he's captured in this easy-to-read gem can be applied to your business, whether you're a start-up or you simply want to improve performance and minimize the likelihood of future problems. Mr. Sutton emphasizes that the time to act is now, not later." J.M.