Books for Solopreneurs : A List Of Top 10 Must Read Books

Top 10 Must-Read Books for Solopreneurs

In 2017 I read/listened to 105 books in a year. Below are more top 10 books for solopreneurs. When you’re doing everything on your own, you really need to have multiple skills and know how to juggle everything. Personally the below books have helped me so much and in so many ways. One connects to the other in my mind. For instance blue waters helps with concepts and steal like an artist helps bring them to life and how to take great photographs help you create the perfect Instagram image to promote! The books range from topics including social media, creative, and money management. Regardless if you are looking to grow your social media following, have better content or looking for inspiration the below 10 books can help you get there.

Blue Ocean Strategy by Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim

I was actually reading this book while trying to revamp a brand I was working for and the concept just started clicking. We didn’t need to keep trying to beat the competition but differentiate ourselves from the competition. This concept when applied to content creation really works as well.This book is all about creating blue waters for your brand, and not keep swimming in “red” waters (shark infested, bloody waters). It is a must read for anyone trying to come out with a new business idea or looking to put a new spin on current offerings.

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook – By Gary Vaynerchuk

I freaking love Gary Vee. He is my boy and I follow him on every social channel I am on. He is a fantastic motivational speaker and this book can really light a fire under your butt. Great read when you feel uninspired or are doubting yourself.’

Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin

I love Seth Godin. He has a great way of turning around concepts and making you rethink the way you think about work, marketing and life in general. This book really hit home for me. It really make me bust my butt at work, and in the process it helped me learn so much more than I would have if I didn’t push myself.

In a short span of 3 months I learned video editing, driving website traffic from Pinterest, and so much more. If you are working a 9-5, it can make you love your job. If you are doing your own thing will encourage you to be the best that you can be, and that work should be refined to the point that it can be viewed as art and we are seen as the artist behind the masterpiece. This book should be on every books for books for solopreneurs list.

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy

1. – This book literally changed the way I spend money. It’s not at all a “get rich quick” book. Its all about how self-made millionaires differ from the rest. Its data is based on a 20 year study of over 1,000 real-world-millionaires live, spend and their thoughts on money. It is one of those books that really open your eyes to how these millionaires live. Most people focus on their income, but these millionaires value their income streams by moderating their lifestyle and investing. Its nothing like the “Lives of the Rich and Famouns”.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead  

A must read for all women. This book made me a “true” feminist if such a thing exists. Sheryl Sandberg gets into the truth about why there are such few women leading the way in business. We can’t blame men anymore, as its actually ourselves we hold us back.

Steal Like an Artist 

I love this little book. Its so much more than you would think it is. It basically is a guide on how to be more creative, with a little help from the pros.

Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs 

This book got me into shooting in manual mode! It really helped me break down the full functionality of a DSLR camera. It also has great composition tips, and really everything you need to really take great photographys. It is more on the “artsy” side than everyday practical but it still applies to anything you want to shoot. A must read book for solopreneurs who are the creative type.

The 4-Hour Work Week – A Must Read for Books for Solopreneurs

This book might just change your life, if you can apply it. Within one day it changed the way I handled my email. Between this book and a Pomodoro timer you will be unstoppable!

Bird by Bird

This gem is a good read as well as providing some solid advice on writing. I love “crappy first drafts”. It allows you to be free and not judge yourself while getting the bones down. I apply this concept when I’m creating something in photoshop or even PowerPoint. Give yourself permission to have a “crappy first draft” and you will find it gets you going, and gets the job done.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

When I read this book, I really needed it (funny how that happens). I am the queen of overthinking things and caring too much about what everyone thinks, how I appear to people and all that garbage that holds us back from ourselves. I believe in particular as women we worry too much, want to be “nice”, and not offend. This book literally tells you to give less F*cks. The concepts in this book have really helped me to let go and be me, regardless of what people think.

(Bonus) Eat that Frog

This is one of the ultimate productivity books out there. A perfect book for solopenuers looking to learn about prioritizing. Even though it was published 18 years ago, very much still applies in today’s world. Tackling the most important task in the day first was huge for me. I always created a list of to-dos every morning but always pick the easiest or the most “fun” one to do first. I would always walk away from my day with “frog” weighing on my head for tomorrow. That’s such a horrible feeling. This book really helped me prioritize and is my all-time favourite productivity book.