Essential Business Reading

By Andrew Neitlich | April 25, 2004 | Selling Web Design Services

Thanks to Derrick, who suggested a blog about essential management books for web designers, especially those just starting out.

A list follows. It emphasizes old-fashioned approaches to management, the tried and true, as these have made all the difference to me. Please post your additions, with a brief reason why you recommend it. That way, this site can have one location with some great book suggestions.

Marketing and Sales:

The Web Design Business Kit, Brendon Sinclair. Where else can you get a marketing and sales book for web designers, written by a successful web designer?

The IT Business Acceleration Manual, yours truly. See the following Sitepoint link for a comparison with Brendon

Written By:

Andrew Neitlich

Andrew's consulting practice focuses on helping professionals and entrepreneurs build successful businesses. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1991. You can get his books, sign up for his free newsletters, and learn more about him at www.fastmarketingresults.com. Andrew also maintains Down to Business: SitePoint's Small Web Business Management blog.

{ 7 comments }

Jon Morrow May 17, 2004 at 6:02 pm: For the designer or programmer that is shellshocked by their first run at sales, I recommend The Accidental Salesperson. It condenses sales into a simple, procedural and often effective process. Then, you can move onto more advanced books like SPIN Selling and the Sales Bible.
Darcy May 2, 2004 at 2:52 am: Perhaps you should post a good book on learning how to speed read. :)
Thanks for the list. Much appreciated.
cigars April 28, 2004 at 2:01 am: Thanks for the info. I am considering one.
Derek Sheppard April 26, 2004 at 2:55 pm: Other usefull stuff, specifically for service professionals/consultants:
Get Clients Now by C. J. Hayden
Marketing Your Services by Anthony Putnam
Selling Your Services by Robert Bly
How to Get Clients by Jeff Slutsky
Live Rich by Stephan Pollan
Bart N. April 26, 2004 at 11:03 am: Great post, I’m definitely going to get me some of those.
type0 April 26, 2004 at 12:16 am: How ’bout, “How to Become a Rainmaker” by Jeffrey J. Fox? My bible.
eXplosive April 25, 2004 at 11:07 pm: Thanks for posting Andrew.