Delivering Marketing Joy is an award-winning interview show that helps marketers level up. Each week, Kirby Hasseman interviews the best and brightest minds in marketing to help you level up. This time on Lessons from DMJ, Kirby talks with Peter Guirguis about why we only have 5 seconds before our customer leaves our website. Watch now!
In episode 484 of Delivering Marketing Joy, seasoned digital expert Peter Guirguis takes us through his journey of building exceptional websites and launching Swift press support. His story is one of perseverance, innovation, and adaptability, offering valuable lessons for anyone looking to make their mark in the digital world. From initial struggles to the thrill of success, Peter’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Peter also shares his insights on the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on web and landing page design, the key elements for high-conversion landing pages, and his predictions on the future of the digital landscape. He emphasizes the need for flexibility, a growth mindset, and seizing new opportunities in the face of emerging technologies. So, let’s dive into the world of digital marketing with Peter Guirguis.
Struggling to Make Money Online
Like many entrepreneurs, Peter’s journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. He initially struggled to make money online, trying various ideas but failing to generate significant income. His motivation was to provide enough income for his wife to stay at home, a noble cause that fueled his determination.
He experimented with creating mini-courses on time management and productivity, among other things. However, after making only one sale, he realized the need to change his approach. This period of struggle was a turning point for Peter, pushing him to rethink his strategies and explore new avenues.
Starting a Business with White Labeling
It was during this time of self-reflection that Peter stumbled upon an opportunity to do a white-labeling website design for a marketing agency. This was a pivotal moment in his career, as it not only helped him discover his passion for website design but also laid the foundation for his business.
Building his business through referrals, Peter spent nine years in the industry, honing his skills and expanding his network. Looking back, he reflects on the journey of starting his business, the challenges he overcame, and the satisfaction of seeing his hard work pay off.
The Influence of AI on Web and Landing Page Design
As a digital expert, Peter recognizes the role of AI in web and landing page design. He discusses the significance of prompt engineering in utilizing AI effectively for content creation. According to him, prompt engineering is crucial in getting the best output from AI.
He also explores tools like chat GPT and framer that use AI to enhance user experience and create website designs. These tools, he believes, are revolutionizing the way we approach website design, making it more interactive and user-friendly.
Essential Elements for High-Conversion Landing Pages
Designing landing pages that drive high conversion rates is an art, and Peter shares his secrets to mastering this art. He emphasizes the importance of the hero element above the fold, particularly the headline. A clear and compelling headline that communicates the benefit of the product or service can make all the difference.
He also highlights the problem-solving aspect of a product or service, advising marketers to understand their ideal clients and create content that resonates with them. By focusing on the problem-solving aspect, you can create a connection with your audience and increase your chances of conversion.
The Future of the Digital Landscape
Looking ahead, Peter shares his insights on the evolving digital landscape. He predicts potential job losses due to AI advancements, a reality that many industries are already grappling with. However, he also sees this as an opportunity for individuals to adapt and evolve.
He emphasizes the importance of flexibility and a growth mindset in adapting to changing technologies. By seizing new opportunities and avoiding a fixed mindset, individuals can stay ahead of the curve and thrive in the digital landscape. As Peter puts it, “The future belongs to those who are willing to learn, adapt, and grow.”
Conclusion
From struggling to make money online to launching his own successful business, Peter’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and adaptability. His insights on the influence of AI, the art of designing high-conversion landing pages, and the future of the digital landscape offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to make their mark in the digital world.
Peter invites viewers to visit his website, SwiftPressSupport.com to learn more about his services and his journey. As he continues to innovate and adapt in the ever-evolving digital landscape, Peter’s story serves as an inspiration for all aspiring digital entrepreneurs.
Delivering Marketing Joy is an award-winning interview show that helps marketers level up. Each week, Kirby Hasseman interviews the best and brightest minds in marketing to help you level up. This time on Lessons from DMJ, Kirby talks with Frank Husmann about becoming the authority in your niche. Watch now!
In this insightful video interview, Kirby talks to Frank Husmann, the founder of Maxiality. Frank shared his expertise on authority marketing, particularly for B2B companies. The conversation was a deep dive into the intricacies of becoming an authority in your niche, a feat that is not easily achieved but can be incredibly rewarding. The discussion touched on various aspects of authority marketing, from understanding what it entails to starting a successful campaign and avoiding common pitfalls.
Frank also highlighted the importance of demand generation in B2B marketing, explaining how it differs from lead generation and why it’s more effective in the modern B2B landscape. He also shared some practical tips on creating a pleasant buying journey for potential customers. Finally, he offered some advice on authority marketing and shared where viewers can find more information about him and his work.
What is Authority Marketing?
Authority marketing is a strategic approach that involves showcasing your expertise in a particular niche to establish yourself as an authority. This process is not a one-time event but a continuous effort that requires consistency and dedication. By consistently demonstrating your knowledge and skills, you gradually build credibility and trust with your audience, positioning yourself as the go-to expert in your field.
Frank emphasized that the key to successful authority marketing lies in identifying the main topics you want to be known for and creating content around them. This content can take various forms, including podcasts, YouTube videos, blog articles, and email newsletters. The goal is to consistently show your expertise over time, which will help establish your authority in your niche.
Starting an Authority Marketing Campaign
Starting an authority marketing campaign requires a clear understanding of your niche and the main topics you want to be known for. Once you’ve identified these topics, the next step is to create content around them. This content should be informative, engaging, and valuable to your audience. It should demonstrate your expertise and provide solutions to the problems your audience is facing.
Frank suggested using various content formats to reach a wider audience. These can include podcasts, YouTube videos, blog articles, and email newsletters. Consistency is key in authority marketing. By regularly producing high-quality content, you can gradually establish your authority in your niche and become the go-to expert for your audience.
Common Pitfalls in Authority Marketing
While authority marketing can be highly effective, there are common pitfalls that marketers should avoid. One of these is being too salesy. While it’s important to promote your products or services, your primary focus should be on addressing the questions and problems of your prospects. By providing valuable solutions, you can build trust and credibility with your audience.
Another common pitfall is focusing too much on personal stories at the expense of showcasing your expertise. While personal stories can help humanize your brand and build a connection with your audience, they should not overshadow your expertise. Instead, they should be tied to your expertise and used to reinforce your authority in your niche.
Demand Generation in B2B Marketing
Demand generation is a crucial aspect of B2B marketing. Unlike lead generation, which focuses on generating leads, demand generation focuses on creating demand for your products or services. This involves targeting the 97% of people who are not yet in the market for your products or services.
Frank suggested using various channels to showcase your expertise and create demand. These can include YouTube, LinkedIn, and articles. He also recommended using tactics like LinkedIn ads and LinkedIn Live to reach a wider audience and generate demand. By focusing on demand generation, you can position yourself as a top choice when your prospects are ready to make a purchase.
Lead Generation vs. Demand Generation
While lead generation and demand generation are both important aspects of B2B marketing, Frank argued that demand generation is more effective in the modern B2B landscape. Lead generation focuses on generating leads, while demand generation focuses on creating demand for your products or services and being on the shortlist of potential customers.
By focusing on demand generation, you can target the 97% of people who are not yet in the market for your products or services. This allows you to build awareness and credibility with a wider audience, increasing the chances of being considered when they are ready to make a purchase.
Creating a Pleasant Buying Journey
Creating a pleasant buying journey is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. This involves providing clear and transparent pricing information on your website and making it easy for prospects to get in touch and qualify themselves. By making the buying process as smooth and straightforward as possible, you can improve customer satisfaction and increase the chances of repeat business.
Frank also suggested automating processes and using forms or API calls to gather information about prospects. This can help streamline the buying process and provide valuable insights into your customer’s needs and preferences, allowing you to tailor your offerings accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the video interview with Frank Husmann provided valuable insights into authority marketing for B2B companies. From understanding what authority marketing is and how to start a successful campaign, to avoiding common pitfalls and understanding the importance of demand generation, the discussion covered a wide range of topics. Frank also shared some practical tips on creating a pleasant buying journey and offered advice on authority marketing. For those interested in learning more, Frank can be found at maxiality.com, where he offers a free video training on authority marketing.
As we approach 2024, it’s time to reevaluate our social media habits. The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and so too should our approach to it. This article discusses four key behaviors that need to be left behind as we move forward. These practices not only hinder personal growth but can also negatively impact businesses and their online presence. By understanding and addressing these habits, we can use social media more effectively and positively.
These four areas of focus include incessant selling without providing value, arguing with strangers on the internet, calling out other businesses for their practices, and comparing one’s life and success to others on social media. Each of these behaviors can lead to negative outcomes, from damaging a business’s reputation to causing personal dissatisfaction and unhappiness. It’s time to shift our focus and use social media as a tool for growth, both personally and professionally.
Stop Incessantly Selling Without Providing Value
The first point to address is the habit of incessantly selling on social media without providing any value. Businesses often fall into the trap of using social media solely as a platform for constant sales pitches. This approach, however, can be off-putting to audiences and may lead to a decrease in engagement and followers.
Instead, businesses should focus on providing value to their audience before asking for sales. This can be achieved by sharing useful content, engaging with followers, and building a community around your brand. By building trust and integrity through valuable content, businesses can foster a more loyal customer base and lead to more successful sales in the long run.
Stop Arguing with Strangers on the Internet
The second point is to stop arguing with strangers on the internet. As we head into an election cycle, the temptation to engage in online debates can be strong. However, these arguments are rarely productive and can be detrimental to mental health and business reputation.
Instead of wasting time arguing, focus on personal growth and filling your mind with positive content. Engage in discussions that are beneficial and constructive. As the election cycle approaches, it’s important to remember that getting caught up in online debates that serve no purpose will only lead to stress and negativity.
Stop Calling Out Other Businesses for Their Practices
The third point is to stop calling out other businesses for their practices. While it’s important to hold businesses accountable, constantly criticizing others takes attention away from personal growth and improvement. It also creates a negative online environment and can harm your own business’s reputation.
Instead, focus on providing value to customers and reaching more potential customers. Look for ways to improve your own business and practices. Shift the focus from what others are doing wrong to what can be done better in your own business. This positive approach can lead to better business outcomes and a more positive online presence.
Stop Comparing Your Life to Others on Social Media
The fourth and final point is to stop comparing one’s life and success to others on social media. This habit can lead to dissatisfaction and unhappiness, as it’s easy to feel inadequate when comparing oneself to the highlight reels often showcased on social media.
Remember that social media is not a full reflection of someone’s life. It’s important to avoid comparing behind-the-scenes struggles to others’ seemingly perfect lives online. Instead, use social media as a tool for inspiration and growth, not as a measure of personal success.
Conclusion
As we move into 2024, it’s important to use social media responsibly and positively. These platforms can be powerful tools for personal and business growth when used correctly. By avoiding these four common pitfalls, we can create a more positive online environment and use social media to its full potential.
As always, we want to provide you with value. So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.
Delivering Marketing Joy is an award-winning interview show that helps marketers level up. Each week, Kirby Hasseman interviews the best and brightest minds in marketing to help you level up.
In this episode, we are joined by Shawn Anthony, the founder of Pod Pro Max and the host of the “School’s Out, Now What?” podcast. Shawn discovered the world of podcasting during a drive and was instantly captivated. He felt he had a unique voice and perspective that he could share with the world, and thus, his journey into podcasting began. This article will delve into Shawn’s story, the power of podcasting for brand growth, advice for starting a podcast, and common mistakes in podcasting and how to fix them.
Shawn’s story is one of success, guilt, and a desire to connect with others. He found success in his corporate career but felt disconnected from his friends who were still figuring out their paths. This guilt, coupled with his realization that he could use his voice to share his background and experiences, led to the birth of the “School’s Out, Now What?” podcast. The podcast resonates with many as it explores the journey after formal education ends, a topic that many can relate to.
The Story Behind “School’s Out, Now What?”
Shawn Anthony’s journey into podcasting began with a sense of guilt. Despite his success in the corporate world, he felt disconnected from his friends who were still trying to figure out their careers. He felt the need to share his experiences and background, and thus, the “School’s Out, Now What?” podcast was born. The podcast resonated with many people, as it tackled the often daunting question of what to do after school ends.
Shawn’s story is a testament to the power of using one’s voice to connect with others. His podcast is not just about his personal journey, but also about the shared experiences of many who are trying to navigate their careers. The success of “School’s Out, Now What?” is a testament to the power of relatable content and the importance of using one’s unique voice and perspective.
The Power of Podcasting for Brand Growth
Podcasting offers a unique platform for individuals to create their own narrative and be the storyteller. This is a powerful way to grow a brand, as it allows the individual to be in charge of their own life and talk about various topics that resonate with them. Podcasting can be used to share courses, hobbies, world events, and more, making it a versatile platform for brand growth.
Shawn encourages everyone, regardless of their category or industry, to start a podcast or be on one. The power of podcasting lies in its ability to reach a wide audience and create a personal connection with listeners. It’s a platform where you can share your story, your insights, and your passions, and in doing so, grow your brand.
Advice for Starting a Podcast
For those considering starting a podcast, Shawn offers some practical advice. He recommends launching with at least three episodes to create a binge-listening experience for listeners. The first episode should introduce the host and share their journey to podcasting. The second episode should explain the structure and format of the show, and the third episode should deliver on the promises made in the second episode.
Consistency is key in podcasting. Shawn recommends releasing episodes once a week to keep listeners engaged and coming back for more. It’s important to deliver on the promises made in the episodes and to maintain a consistent release schedule to build trust and loyalty with the audience.
Mistakes in Podcasting and How to Fix Them
Despite the many benefits of podcasting, there are common mistakes that organizations and individuals make. One such mistake is forgetting their own character and personality. Podcasts should embrace the unique personalities of their hosts, as this is what makes them relatable and engaging to listeners. Another common mistake is focusing too much on teaching rather than having a general conversation. Podcasts should prioritize conversation over a handbook approach to keep listeners engaged.
Legal concerns can also hinder authenticity and personality in podcasts. It’s important to be aware of legal considerations, but they should not overshadow the authenticity and personality of the podcast. By embracing their unique personalities, prioritizing conversation, and not letting legal concerns hinder authenticity, organizations, and individuals can create engaging and successful podcasts.
Conclusion
Shawn Anthony’s journey into podcasting is a testament to the power of using one’s voice to connect with others and grow a brand. His advice on starting a podcast and avoiding common mistakes offers valuable insights for anyone considering entering the world of podcasting. For more information about Shawn and his company, visit schoolsovernow.com and pprommax.com.
Delivering Marketing Joy is an award-winning interview show that helps marketers level up. Each week, Kirby Hasseman interviews the best and brightest minds in marketing to help you level up.
In this insightful interview, Robert Brandl, the founder and CEO of Tool Tester, shares his expertise on branding, SEO, and email marketing. As a renowned figure in the digital marketing landscape, Brandl’s insights are invaluable for businesses looking to strengthen their online presence and engage their audience effectively. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the importance of branding for SEO to the common mistakes in email marketing and how to avoid them.
Branding, as Brandl explains, is a combination of design, personality, and positioning. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in creating a strong brand that resonates with the target audience and stands out in the competitive digital landscape. Furthermore, Brandl discusses how businesses can enhance their email marketing efforts by offering value to their audience and using quizzes to grow their email lists. He also sheds light on the mystery of email deliverability, providing practical tips on how to ensure that emails reach the main inbox.
The Importance of Branding for SEO
Branding is becoming increasingly important for SEO, and it’s not just about having a catchy logo or a memorable tagline. It’s about creating a holistic brand experience that combines design, personality, and positioning. Design is a critical aspect of branding. It’s about creating a user-friendly website that makes visitors feel at home. It’s about choosing the right color palette, typography, and layout that reflect the brand’s identity and values.
Personality is another key component of branding. It’s about the tone of voice used in the content, the use of real people and office photos, and the overall vibe that the brand exudes. A brand with a distinct personality can establish a strong connection with its audience, making it more memorable and relatable. Positioning, on the other hand, is about being laser-focused on a specific topic or niche. It’s about differentiating the brand from its competitors and attracting the right audience by offering unique value.
Enhancing Email Marketing with Value Offerings
Email marketing is a powerful tool for businesses, but it’s not just about sending promotional emails and newsletters. It’s about offering something of value to the audience to encourage them to sign up for the email list. This could be a lead magnet, such as an ebook, checklist, or cheat sheet, that provides valuable information or solves a specific problem for the audience.
Another effective strategy is to create smaller, more easily consumable resources, such as infographics, short videos, or blog posts. These resources can increase engagement and completion rates, as they are easier to digest and share. They also provide an opportunity for businesses to showcase their expertise and provide value to their audience, thereby building trust and loyalty.
Using Quizzes to Grow Email Marketing Lists
Quizzes can be a fun and engaging way to grow email marketing lists. Whether it’s a personality quiz or a quiz related to a specific topic, quizzes can attract website visitors and encourage them to interact with the brand. But quizzes are not just about entertainment. They can also provide personalized recommendations based on the quiz results, adding value to the user experience.
For example, a skincare brand could create a skin type quiz and provide personalized product recommendations based on the results. To collect email addresses, businesses can offer incentives, such as discounts or exclusive content, to users who opt to receive their quiz results via email. This strategy not only helps grow the email list but also provides an opportunity to segment the audience based on their quiz results and send targeted email campaigns.
Common Mistakes in Email Marketing
One of the common mistakes in email marketing is sending too many emails to everyone on the list, regardless of their interests and behaviors. This can lead to lower engagement rates and potential deliverability issues, as recipients may mark the emails as spam or unsubscribe from the list. Instead, businesses should focus on segmentation and targeting, sending relevant and personalized emails to different segments of their audience based on their interests, behaviors, and preferences.
Another common mistake is neglecting the importance of email deliverability. Many businesses focus on creating engaging content and attractive designs for their emails, but they overlook the technical aspects that can affect whether their emails reach the main inbox or end up in the spam folder. This is where reputable newsletter software and deliverability monitoring tools come into play.
Ensuring Email Deliverability
Email deliverability can be a complex issue, but there are ways to improve it. One of the key factors is the choice of newsletter software. Reliable platforms like MailerLite or ActiveCampaign have built-in features and tools to optimize deliverability, such as authentication protocols, spam checkers, and bounce management.
Monitoring deliverability is also crucial. Tools like Glock apps or Mail dt can provide insights into email placement and potential issues, such as high bounce rates or spam complaints. They can also help businesses test their deliverability by sending test emails to different email providers and checking if they land in the main inbox. By regularly monitoring and testing deliverability, businesses can identify and address issues promptly, ensuring that their emails reach their intended recipients.
Conclusion
Branding, SEO, and email marketing are interconnected aspects of digital marketing. A strong brand can improve SEO performance, attract and retain customers, and enhance email marketing efforts. By understanding the importance of design, personality, and positioning in branding, offering value in email marketing, and ensuring email deliverability, businesses can create a powerful online presence and engage their audience effectively.
To learn more about Robert Brandl and his insights on digital marketing, visit the Tool Tester website or connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter. His expertise and practical tips can provide valuable guidance for businesses looking to strengthen their branding, SEO, and email marketing strategies.
As always, we want to provide you with value. So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.
I love blogs, podcasts, and videos. Each of these has the chance to inspire me and lift me up. I have created time in my morning routine to put some good into my brain each day…and these are often my tools of choice. But if I really want to take a deep dive into a topic, I still am inspired by books. Whether I read a physical book or simply take a walk with the author (in audio form), books help me grow (and level up).
Over the course of the last 10 years, I have had the chance to read hundreds of books. Some have been forgettable. Others have been what I needed to hear at the moment. But here is a list of 37 Game-Changing Books for Business that have impacted me. I wanted to share them with you.
I originally wrote this list in 2021. So I updated this list again to add a few new favorites!
The E-Myth Revisited
This is one of the best business books ever. I have bought countless copies and have recommended it more times than I can remember. I have probably read it 10 different times and have found myself in a different place on the journey each time. If you are in business or want to start a business, this is awesome.
Profit First
When I first listened to Profit-First, I thought author Mike Michaelowicx was following me around. It spoke to the challenges I was having in my business’s cash flow right then. We tentatively adopted the philosophy and have not looked back. It’s been a game-changer for us. Mike’s goal is to “eliminate entrepreneurial poverty,” and for many in business, that is a real thing. Love this book.
I think each one of Sinek’s books has gotten stronger. And while I really enjoyed “Start with Why,” I thought “Leaders Eat Last” was even better. Sinek goes into what makes a great leader and even the biological reasons for it. Powerful information…and super interesting too!
Infinite Game
As you might expect, this is my favorite of Simon Sinek’s books. He explains the difference between a finite game and an infinite game and why it matters so much to know what kind of game you are playing. For me, it crystallized the idea of playing a “long game” in business. It’s what I have long believed and discussed, but Sinek does it in a much more articulate way than me!
The Thank You Economy
I love Gary Vaynerchuk. I am a fan. But while I love his content, his energy, his speaking, and his philosophy, I don’t always LOVE his books. But The Thank You Economy was different. Gary talks about using social media to create appreciation, value, and connection at scale. Loved this one.
Pumpkin Plan
This is the second Mike Michaelowicz book on the list. I am a fan of Mike’s work and this is a powerful one about differentiation. He says “The Riches are in the Niches” and explains how to find your niche and grow into it. He even spends a bit of time explaining how to “fire a client” which just seems so hard for some entrepreneurs. The Pumpkin Plan is worth harvesting.
Purple Cow
I am an unapologetic fan of Seth Godin. He is a thought leader in business and marketing. And he has the ability to say things in a way that is simple, yet powerful. “If you want to be remarkable, you have to do something worth remarketing about.” Read this one if you want to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
The Dip
While this is probably not Godin’s most famous book, it is the one I find myself quoting the most often. It’s short and powerful. When you start something new, you will be learning fast and your improvements will be fast. Then, that will excitement and progress will slow down. It will not be as exciting. This is the Dip…and it’s when most people quit. Get through the Dip…and you become the expert.
The Practice
His most recent book (as I type this), The Practice is a powerful reminder about how we get better at anything. If you want to build a career, a business, your fitness, content, or a life…creating a Practice will help you do it.
Ultimate Selling Machine
If you are an entrepreneur or are in sales (and we are all in sales), this book is powerful. There are strategies for everything from creating a sales process to building real relationships. Love this one.
High Trust Selling
I read this one a long time ago, and it was one of the first books that changed my business. Duncan’s observation is that 80% of our results in sales come from 20% of activities. But as salespeople, we tend to focus on the wrong part of the business. We need to hire out the 80% that does not make us money.
The 5-Second Rule
File this under “simple but powerful.” Mel Robbins gives you a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 solution for procrastination. Along the way, she gives powerful insights into performance and life. Oh…and this is a great audiobook if you enjoy those.
Finish
Jon Acuff is a great writer and speaker. His sense of humor helps me get lessons I might otherwise miss. While I love his book Start (Punch Fear in the Face), the book Finish was more powerful for me. I have never had problems starting things…but finishing? Squirrel! He gives some great tips on getting your project to the finish line.
I got this book recently at the recommendation from a friend. It’s a great look at how to improve a bottleneck and flies in the face of traditional manufacturing policy.
Known
Want to build your personal brand? I really enjoyed this book from Mark Schaeffer on how to make it happen. In this book, he outlines the 5 steps you need to take to build your brand and become Known.
Building Your Storybrand
Donald Miller wrote this gem that outlines why most companies get their marketing wrong. It was a real “a-ha” moment for me and shined a light on why sometimes messages work and sometimes they don’t. Who is your marketing making “the hero of the story?” Most of us make ourselves the hero. The customer needs to be the hero. Miller explains why in this wonderful book.
Marketing Made Simple
Now that you understand that the customer needs to be the hero of your marketing story, Marketing Made Simple digs into the tactics of how to make that happen. This book outlines a step-by-step process to create a marketing machine that works for your business.
Dare To Lead
Most of us are afraid to put ourselves out there. We don’t want to be completely authentic because it doesn’t feel like “what a strong leader would do.” Brene Brown breaks down those myths and challenges us to lean into them. I feel like this book made me a better leader by making me a better person.
Extreme Ownership
And speaking of leadership, it’s hard to learn from better teachers than Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. These two team up to give amazing lessons in leadership combined with stories from leading teams in combat. Oh…and if something is going wrong in your company, or division, or family…you should take extreme ownership. Good one here.
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics
Everywhere I looked, I saw people telling me I needed to meditate. But I didn’t know how. I felt like I was doing it wrong. It felt strange and weird. This book breaks down some of those myths and gives you permission to get started with “just one minute” if that’s what you need to do. This is a good introduction for someone that feels they might need meditation in your life…but does not know where to start.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
If you are offended by strong language, this book is not for you. However, if you can get past that, there is a zen-like quality to much of this book that really connected with me. One of my favorite lessons, which I talk about here, is the idea that successful people are willing to “suffer through” things to get to what they want. Not everything will be easy. If you want to reach your goal, you need to decide what you are willing to suffer through.
Scrum
This book is sort of the bible for Agile productivity. We read it as a team. If you want to get more done as a team, this book is a must-read. Can you break down tasks into small enough pieces so that every member of the team can help? You probably can…and SCRUM lines up how.
4 Disciplines of Execution
Let me see if you have been there. We come back from a conference (or read a book) and want to implement a great idea. We start strong, but then the “whirlwind” of business and life gets in the way. The 4 Disciplines breaks down how to identify the Wildly Important Goal, and create a process to make improvements with your team.
Epic Content Marketing
If you want to do content marketing “right,” this is your manual. Joe Pulizzi talks about the start of his company and how creating compelling content (for the customer) works. He shows you how to create an audience and story-tell in a way that will build your brand. Loved this one.
Hug Your Haters
So you have created a social media following that is worth having. What do you do when “the haters” show up? Jay Baer says you need to “Hug Your Haters” in this book about dealing with tough comments on social. Jay gives the playbook on what to do when complaints happen (and they will). Most of us want to ignore the comments so they go away. Jay explains why that is the wrong play…and how doing it right can change haters into fans!
Never Split the Difference
Life is a negotiation. If you are in business, you already know this. In this powerful book, Chris Voss takes us inside some amazing stories from a hostage negotiator…and how many of them can apply to you.
Living With a Seal
This is a fun one. Jesse Itzler tells the story of how he invited the “toughest man on the planet” David Goggins to live with him for a month and train him. When I listened to this, no one knew who David Goggins was…but it all makes sense now. While there are some sincere lessons here about how far we (as humans) can go, this one was fun.
The Power of One More
If you have followed me over the past few years, I talk a lot about Ed Mylett. His book The Power of One More is a great personal development read. If you want to level up in any area of your life, Mylett gives you the tools to do that. And I love the way he frames so many of these important topics.
Soundtracks
Jon Acuff is funny and insightful…and this is probably my favorite book from him. Here Jon talks about the voice that we hear all of the time in our heads…our own. Most of us can be our own worst enemies, and he gives us permission to push back on that voice…and tools to do just that. Totally worth a read or a listen.
Buy Back Your Time
Most of the entrepreneurs I know struggle with two things…cash and time. While this book doesn’t give you any cash, it does give you lots of tactics on how to better use your time in order to grow.
$100 Million Offers
Alex Hermozi doesn’t need any recommendations from me…but he is going to get it anyway! This book $100 Million Offers, and his follow-up $100 Million Leads, are must-reads if you want to grow your business. And if you are not following him on social media already, you really should check him out!
Traction
I read this a long time ago…but I didn’t implement it. I went back to re-read after so many people I respect mentioned the book. We have worked to implement the tactics at Hasseman Marketing, and now I understand the appeal.
The 6 Types of Working Genius
Sometimes you read a book and it changes the way you look at your team. This was one of those books for me. I love the concept of how there are 6 types of work in each project. Then Patrick Lencioni explains how to increase efficiency and avoid burnout by putting people (and yourself) in your area of genius as much as possible.
12 Months To $1 Million
If you want to start a business, I think this is a great place to start. There are concepts here that will help you get started off right…and great reminders for those who have been doing this for a while. Great book!
Hit The TARGET
This is my one selfish plug, but if you are struggling with your marketing, I really think this can help. Hit The TARGET is my latest book, written as a parable, that helps you identify your perfect customer and grow your business with them.
So there you have it! This is my updated list of 37 Game-Changing Books for Business.
As always, we want to provide you with value. So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.
