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Whether you’re already an online entrepreneur or you’re getting ready to dive into the digital world, acquiring the right knowledge is key.
Here are 6 books that cover a myriad of topics related to starting an online business, from drafting a compelling business plan to mastering digital marketing, enhancing productivity, and beyond.
While not all of these books are specifically geared toward online businesses, they contain priceless insights applicable to any type of business you’re planning to establish.
To simplify your search for the best online business-related books, we’ve developed the freelance book finder! Select a genre, rating, publication year, or keyword, and you’ll be provided with choices for your next enlightening read.
The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future – Chris Guillebeau
“(…), here is the not-so-secret recipe for microbusiness alchemy:
Passion or skill + usefulness = success”
Chris Guillebeau
The $100 Startup illustrates how to lead of life of adventure, meaning, and purpose – and earn a good living doing it. Guillebeau shows you how to turn a passion or hobby into a profitable venture without spending a lot of money to begin.
The author provides a compelling argument for the notion that starting a business doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. Using real-life examples, he demonstrates how individuals have transformed their passions and skills into profitable businesses, often starting with just $100 or even less.
The book proposes that you don’t necessarily need an MBA, a business plan, or even employees to start a business and become self-employed. Instead, Guillebeau asserts that all you need is a product or service, a group of people willing to buy it, and a way to get paid.
One of the most refreshing aspects of The $100 Startup is its focus on freedom and value. Guillebeau encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to create businesses that not only generate income but also create freedom and serve others by providing real value.
Who is it for?
Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their online business with minimal investment and anyone yearning to break free from the 9-to-5 routine and start their own business. The book will be valuable, especially for those who feel deterred by a lack of funds or business experience. If you’re interested in the idea of “micro-entrepreneurship” – starting small, with minimal risks, but with the potential for substantial profits and fulfillment, it could be the read for you.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future – Peter Thiel, Blake Masters
“It’s much better to be the last mover—that is, to make the last great development in a specific market and enjoy years or even decades of monopoly profits. The way to do that is to dominate a small niche and scale up from there, toward your ambitious long-term vision.”
Peter Thiel & Blake Masters
Zero to One discusses the idea of creating something entirely new, instead of just adding to what’s already there. It encourages readers to break away from conventional thinking and focus on innovation to achieve exponential growth and success.
The book, based on a course about startups that Thiel taught at Stanford, provides a great blend of theory, practical insights, and anecdotal evidence to make its case. Thiel discusses his unique philosophy and approach to business, innovation, and competition, introducing concepts like “last mover advantage” and the importance of building monopolies.
Thiel also emphasizes that the path to great success in business is never about iterating on what’s already working, but about forging your own unique path. In other words, going from zero to one.
Co-authored by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Peter Thiel and Stanford graduate Blake Masters, Zero to One is a contrarian guide to building groundbreaking businesses. Instead of emphasizing competition, the authors argue that the most successful businesses are monopolies – they offer unique products or services that no other company can replicate.
Thiel begins by outlining the main differences between going from zero to one (creating something new) versus going from one to n (incrementally improving an existing product or service). One of the major highlights of the book is the series of questions Thiel presents for entrepreneurs to ask themselves to foster original thinking and innovation.
Moreover, the book dives deep into a variety of business aspects. Thiel shares his thoughts on the roles of luck and planning, the importance of having a definite view of the future, the nuances of sales and distribution, the value of proprietary technology, and the dynamics of starting a company.
Who is it for?
Entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to create innovative and groundbreaking products or services.
Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence—and How You Can, Too – Gary Vaynerchuk
“There will always be people around you to tell you not to do things. You have to let yourself be your sole judge and jury.”
Gary Vaynerchuk
Crushing It! explores how to utilize the power of the Internet to turn your real interests into a real business – an online business. Vaynerchuk delivers both theory and tactics to create and amplify your personal brand.
The author offers an insightful and pragmatic guide to building a business and personal brand from the ground up. The book is also filled with inspiring stories from people who have used his principles to great success in various fields.
Based on his own experience and the success stories of others, Vaynerchuk reveals the power of the internet in shaping the business landscape and how entrepreneurs can leverage various social media platforms to grow their online businesses.
One of the main themes of the book is the importance of authenticity. Vaynerchuk stresses that genuineness in business is key, and the best way to connect with your audience is by being true to who you are. He believes that a business founded on personal passion and a commitment to delivering value to customers has the potential to achieve great success.
The book further outlines the best ways to use all the leading social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more. Vaynerchuk dives into the strengths and potential of each platform, providing the reader with a practical roadmap for creating powerful content that resonates with the intended audience.
While Crushing It! is rich in actionable advice for building an influential online presence, it goes beyond this, inspiring you to pursue your passions and create businesses that reflect your values and serve others.
Who is it for?
Aspiring entrepreneurs, digital marketers, influencers, and anyone seeking to create an impactful personal brand or business online. It’s especially beneficial for those who want to understand the nuances of different social media platforms and how to use them effectively to build an audience and drive business growth. It’s also great for those who need a dash of inspiration and a roadmap to turn their passion into a profitable venture.
DotCom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online – Russell Brunson
“Traffic you own is the BEST kind of traffic. It’s your email list or your followers, readers, customers, etc. I call this the traffic that I “own” because I can send out an email, post a message to my followers, or make a blog post, and I will generate instant traffic.”
Russell Brunson
In DotCom Secrets, Russell Brunson shares his experiences to guide you in transforming an online business idea into a thriving venture. The book takes a deep dive into the intricacies of online selling and digital marketing, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking to monetize their online presence.
Brunson demystifies online marketing with a focus on sales funnels – the path that companies lead customers along when purchasing products. He provides actionable strategies to optimize your online traffic and convert more visitors into customers, emphasizing the importance of understanding your audience’s needs and preferences.
The book is packed with step-by-step guides, detailed checklists, and diagrams that not only provide a comprehensive view of Brunson’s approach but also allow you to apply these methods to your own business.
What sets DotCom Secrets apart is Brunson’s blend of marketing strategies with compelling storytelling. The author argues that compelling stories evoke emotion, which in turn makes products more attractive to customers. By harnessing the power of storytelling, businesses can enhance their marketing strategies and drive growth.
Who is it for?
Online entrepreneurs, marketers, and online business owners who are trying to understand the intricacies of digital marketing and want to scale their online businesses.
Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability – Steve Krug
“For instance, it means that as far as is humanly possible, when I look at a Web page it should be self-evident. Obvious. Self-explanatory. I should be able to “get it”—what it is and how to use it—without expending any effort thinking about it.”
Steve Krug
Don’t Make Me Think provides practical advice on web usability and designing a user-friendly website that’s intuitive and easy to navigate. Krug’s philosophy is that a well-designed website or app should let users accomplish their intended tasks as easily and directly as possible.
Krug uses a straightforward, humorous approach to share key principles of intuitive navigation and information design. He discusses why usability is essential for any online platform, offering practical advice on how to achieve it.
The author also provides insight into how users interact with websites and explains the idea of satisficing – the concept that users choose the first satisfactory option instead of searching for the best possible one.
The book includes a series of usability testing guides that even those on a budget can implement. The revised edition includes a new chapter that explains the importance of mobile usability, an increasingly crucial topic as more people use their smartphones as primary device for accessing the web.
Who is it for?
Online business owners who want to understand how to make their websites more user-friendly and intuitive, ultimately enhancing user experience and conversions. The book is intended for anyone involved in creating and maintaining websites: aspiring web designers and developers, digital entrepreneurs, and even seasoned professionals who want to sharpen their skills.
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die – Chip and Dan Heath
“It’s hard to make ideas stick in a noisy, unpredictable, chaotic environment. If we’re to succeed, the first step is this: Be simple. Not simple in terms of “dumbing down” or “sound bites.” You don’t have to speak in monosyllables to be simple. What we mean by “simple” is finding the core of the idea.”
Chip and Dan Heath
Made to Stick explores the concept of ‘stickiness’ – why some ideas take hold while others are quickly forgotten. The Heath brothers outline six key principles that make ideas stick and provide strategies to make your ideas stickier.
The authors offer a captivating look at why certain ideas catch on while others fall by the wayside. They present a compelling argument that the stickiness of an idea isn’t mere chance, but a science that can be learned and applied.
The book revolves around the SUCCESs acronym – Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Stories. These are the six characteristics that sticky ideas have in common. The Heath brothers provide a multitude of real-world examples to illustrate these principles, along with practical techniques to apply them.
Whether it’s urban myths, conspiracy theories, effective political slogans, or successful marketing campaigns, the book delves into why these ideas stick and the common characteristics they share. This read isn’t just about coming up with a great idea – it’s about communicating it effectively so that it resonates and persists with your customers.
Made to Stick is also on our best copywriting books list which includes some great picks for both beginners and more advanced writers.
Who is it for?
Online entrepreneurs, marketers, educators, and leaders, who want to understand how to make their ideas, products, or services more appealing and memorable to customers. It’ll be useful to anyone who wants their ideas to be heard and remembered and who needs to influence and inspire others.
Starting an online business is an exciting journey, and having these books in your toolbox can significantly accelerate your progress. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to scale, each of these reads offer invaluable insights for every stage of your online business journey.
To find out more about building a small business, explore our best books for small business owners discussing various small business-related subjects, such as establishing a proper foundation, developing growth strategies, enforcing effective systems, and so much more.
Happy reading and best of luck on your entrepreneurial journey!
