The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster: Why Now Is the Time to #Join the Ride
Darren Hardy - 2015
This book is designed for those new (or early stage) to entrepreneurship or those who have watched from afar and have wanted/wished to join in, but the fear of the unknown has kept them stupefied and in paralysis. This book will detail the worst (which is not so scary after all) and the best (which is absolutely thrilling) of being in business for yourself and give you the essential skills to be successful (preventing the 66% death rate). The focus of the book is on the emotional journey one takes when they step onto the wild ride of entrepreneurship. It’s meant to warn (forthcoming fears, doubts and self-defeating conditioning of past/upbringing), inoculate (from the naysayers, dream stealers and pains of rejection and failure) and guide them (building those undeveloped skills of independence, self-motivation and self-accountability) safely past the landmines that blow up (cause failure) of 66% of all new businesses.
How to be The Startup Hero: A Guide and Textbook for Entrepreneurs and Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Tim Draper - 2017
To make that move. To fulfill your vision. I want to take you closer to your goal, whether that be starting a billion-dollar unicorn, building a revolution, or just helping you better understand that change of any kind starts with you. You can be the Startup Hero. Startup Heroes are the ones that drive progress, and whether you bring us to another planet or make your neighborhood a nicer, happier place, you can become a Startup Hero. This book is the first step. It helps you take that first step. The step will be different for everyone. It might be to call that customer. It might be to draw up a design concept. It might be to talk to your boss. With this book, I hope to guide people to think big, drive change and go full speed ahead. I am giving them a pledge to do their work for good, and I am giving them some of the tools they need to accomplish their goals. This book is hard. It takes you through a variety of activities, questions, stories and challenges (even puzzles and poems) working both the right and left side of your brain and all the parts in between. The activities I propose are challenging and sometimes even embarrassing. The questions I ask are probing and provoking. The stories I tell are used as examples to guide you toward what I call Startup Heroism. So, why would you read this book? Well, I have worked for 30 years for entrepreneurs. I have supported, funded and coached Startup Heroes all my working life. And I have tested the concepts of this book on the students at Draper University and they have come out to be some of the most interesting, dynamic, and motivated people the world has ever seen. In fact, we have had about 1000 students from over 60 different countries come through the program at this writing, and they have started more than 300 companies! I wrote this book so that some of the thinking that I applied to Draper University could be spread wider, in hopes that these messages would reach other potential Startup Heroes (maybe you) who might make an impact on the world, be proactive about their work, or at the very least, improve their lives. So, I implore you. Read this book, try this book, do this book, play this book, absorb this book, experience this book. It might surprise you. It might thrill you. It might drive you. It might kill you. At the very least, I hope it will give you a perspective on how real progress is made, and at the very best, it might just change your life.
eSCAPE: The 4 Stages of Becoming A Successful Entrepreneur
Anik Singal - 2018
He also analyzed his own story of being on top to crashing to the bottom. This book is not just boring training or education - it's full of amazing stories and colorful examples to help you master each STEP of becoming a Successful Entrepreneur. Go on this entire journey with Anik Singal and master the 4 Stages of becoming an Entrepreneur:
S.C.A.P. (Self, Catapult, Authority and People)
. Many people are saying that this book is an absolute for EVERY Entrepreneur in the World.Anik Singal has built over 6 companies, having sold over $200 Million worth of products and has taught 250,000+ students all over the World about every aspect of Entrepreneurship.
Don't Just Roll the Dice - a usefully short guide to software pricing
Neil Davidson - 2009
So many people turned up, and so many people kept on arriving, that by the time they'd introduced themselves there was no time left to talk about software pricing. I've had similar experiences; in fact, "How do I price my software?" is probably the most common question I'm asked by software entrepreneurs and product managers.This handbook is an attempt to answer that question." Neil Davidson, Author.
The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Social Change
Jennifer Aaker - 2010
But no book addresses how to harness the incredible power of social media to make a difference. "The Dragonfly Effect" shows you how to tap social media and consumer psychological insights to achieve a single, concrete goal. Named for the only insect that is able to move in any direction when its four wings are working in concert, this bookReveals the four "wings" of the Dragonfly Effect-and how they work together to produce colossal resultsFeatures original case studies of global organizations like the Gap, Starbucks, Kiva, Nike, eBay, Facebook; and start-ups like Groupon and COOKPAD, showing how they achieve social good and customer loyaltyLeverage the power of design thinking and psychological research with practical strategiesReveals how everyday people achieve unprecedented results-whether finding an almost impossible bone marrow match for a friend, raising millions for cancer research, or electing the current president of the United States"The Dragonfly Effect" shows that you don't need money or power to inspire seismic change.
Exactly What to Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact
Phil M. Jones - 2017
Phil M. Jones has trained more than two million people across five continents and over fifty countries in the lost art of spoken communication. In Exactly What to Say, he delivers the tactics you need to get more of what you want.Best-selling author and multiple award-winner Phil M. Jones is highly regarded as one of the world's leading sales trainers.
Badass Your Brand: The Impatient Entrepreneur's Guide to Turning Expertise into Profit
Pia Silva - 2017
It’s never been easier to capitalize on the knowledge and expertise you already have, and with a few simple steps you can start making more doing what you love like the Badass that you are. Whether you are still employed and dream of being your own boss, or you’re self-employed but have always struggled to find clients, Badass Your Brand is the quickest way to start attracting high paying clients and building a reputation that will afford you the freedom of lifestyle that you want— without the startup costs. This step-by-step guide to turning your expertise into profit with no startup costs teaches: • How Pia & Steve went from $40,000 in debt working 100 hours per week, to making $500,000 in the next 12 months just selling their services, and without paying for advertising • How to stand out from the competition and stop being a me-too brand • How to stop chasing business, and instead focus on doing what you do best as a way to attract your ideal, top-tier clients • How to charge more than your competitors and still win the business • How to price your services to achieve freedom This isn’t some get rich quick scheme, these are tried and true principles presented in a uniquely tangible and easy to follow format. The formulas, worksheets and mind-bending questions in this book will make you completely rethink your business and get you on a clear path to success. REVIEWS "Pia Silva has created an extraordinarily insightful book that will help any small business owner differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. If you want to attract more clients, raise your fees successfully, and enjoy a better quality of life, do exactly what she says." - DORIE CLARK, Author of Reinventing You and Stand Out, and adjunct professor, Duke University's Fuqua School of Business "Finally, a book that tells you how to put up a velvet rope in front of your business and get more of the clients you want and deserve! Whether you're building a services business or a personal brand, this book provides a roadmap to making bank, in a smart and authentic way. Pia is a total pro (and a laugh riot). I can’t wait to recommend this book to every entrepreneur who feels stuck. Pia got unstuck, and so can you." - JULIA PIMSLEUR, Author of Million Dollar Women and founder of Little Pim Badass Your Brand gives the reader in-your-face strategies to stand out, build your brand, and be more profitable. Full of creative ideas, Pia shares her journey from debt to success as she discovered how to be a badass by thinking differently, pricing differently, and designing the life of her dreams.. This is the one book every start-up or seasoned entrepreneur must read. - DIANE DIRESTA, Author of Knockout Presentations and founder of Diresta Communications Pia has struck the perfect chord for small business owners, or those attempting to market themselves. I was so impressed by this Badass Brands book, I plan to re-brand my own business. As a marketing agency, we’re all vanilla, even the specialty firms like mine. Her 4-legged approach is perfectly laid out, understandable and interest-peaking. Following this format can definitely separate the porcupines from the fish.
Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd
Youngme Moon - 2010
Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods is one example. Richard Feynman’s “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” is another. Now comes Youngme Moon’s Different, a book for “people who don’t read business books.” Actually, it’s more like a personal conversation with a friend who has thought deeply about how the world works … and who gets you to see that world in a completely new light. If there is one strain of conventional wisdom pervading every company in every industry, it’s the absolute importance of “competing like crazy.” Youngme Moon’s message is simply “Get off this treadmill that’s taking you nowhere. Going tit for tat and adding features, augmentations, and gimmicks to beat the competition has the perverse result of making you like everyone else.” Different provides a highly original perspective on what it means to offer something that is meaningfully different—different in a manner that is both fundamental and comprehensive. Youngme Moon identifies the outliers, the mavericks, the iconoclasts—the players who have thoughtfully rejected orthodoxy in favor of an approach that is more adventurous. Some are even “hostile,” almost daring you to buy what they are selling. The MINI Cooper was launched with fearless abandon: “Worried that this car is too small? Look here. It’s even smaller than you think.” These are players that strike a genuine chord with even the most jaded consumers. In fact, almost every success story of the past two decades has been an exception to the rule. Simply go to your computer and compare AOL and Yahoo! with Google. The former pile on feature upon feature to their home pages, while Google is like an austere boutique, dominating a category filled with “extras.” Different shows how to succeed in a world where conformity reigns…but exceptions rule.
One Click: Jeff Bezos and the Rise of Amazon.com
Richard L. Brandt - 2011
It can almost be summed up by the button on every page: "Buy now with one click."Why has Amazon been so successful? Much of it has to do with Jeff Bezos, the CEO and founder, whose unique combination of character traits and business strategy have driven Amazon to the top of the online retail world.Richard Brandt charts Bezos's rise from computer nerd to world- changing entrepreneur. His success can be credited to his forward-looking insights and ruthless business sense. Brandt explains: Why Bezos decided to allow negative product reviews, correctly guessing that the earned trust would outweigh possible lost sales. Why Amazon zealously guards some patents yet freely shares others. Why Bezos called becoming profitable the "dumbest" thing they could do in 1997. How Amazon.com became one of the only dotcoms to survive the bust of the early 2000s. Where the company is headed next.Through interviews with Amazon employees, competitors, and observers, Brandt has deciphered how Bezos makes decisions. The story of Amazon's ongoing evolution is a case study in how to reinvent an entire industry, and one that anyone in business today ignores at their peril.
Lean Analytics: Use Data to Build a Better Startup Faster
Alistair Croll - 2013
Lean Analytics steers you in the right direction.This book shows you how to validate your initial idea, find the right customers, decide what to build, how to monetize your business, and how to spread the word. Packed with more than thirty case studies and insights from over a hundred business experts, Lean Analytics provides you with hard-won, real-world information no entrepreneur can afford to go without.Understand Lean Startup, analytics fundamentals, and the data-driven mindsetLook at six sample business models and how they map to new ventures of all sizesFind the One Metric That Matters to youLearn how to draw a line in the sand, so you’ll know it’s time to move forwardApply Lean Analytics principles to large enterprises and established products
Things a Little Bird Told Me: Confessions of the Creative Mind
Biz Stone - 2014
Things a Little Bird Told Me From GQ's "Nerd of the Year" to one of Time's most influential people in the world, Biz Stone represents different things to different people. But he is known to all as the creative, effervescent, funny, charmingly positive and remarkably savvy co-founder of Twitter-the social media platform that singlehandedly changed the way the world works. Now, Biz tells fascinating, pivotal, and personal stories from his early life and his careers at Google and Twitter, sharing his knowledge about the nature and importance of ingenuity today. In Biz's world: Opportunity can be manufactured Great work comes from abandoning a linear way of thinking Creativity never runs out Asking questions is free Empathy is core to personal and global success In this book, Biz also addresses failure, the value of vulnerability, ambition, and corporate culture. Whether seeking behind-the-scenes stories, advice, or wisdom and principles from one of the most successful businessmen of the new century, Things a Little Bird Told Me will satisfy every reader.
Advertising Secrets of the Written Word: The Ultimate Resource on How to Write Powerful Advertising Copy from One of America's Top Copywriters and Mail Order Entrepreneurs
Joseph Sugarman - 1998
Joseph Sugarman defied the experts by developing his own style of advertising that not only produced spectacular results but started a new wave in direct response marketing. Sugarman's style and his JS&A ads are legendary. He created advertising that grabbed the reader's attention and didn't let go. In print ads that were motivational, entertaining and often educational, his copy enriched the lives of those who read his words. A lucky few have been literally enriched by learning at Sugarman's $3,000 seminars. And that's the point of this book. Advertising Secrets of the Written Word takes you through his entire seminar process - from the techniques he uses to write copy to the psychological triggers that cause people to buy, plus plenty of ad examples that illustrate his points. This book is full of compelling insights into the buying process, the use of salesmanship in advertising and the techniques that Sugarman uses to grab attention and keep it while convincing prospects to exchange their hard-earned money to buy a product or service. He also relates numerous case histories - stories of his successes (and failures) and those of others. And Sugarman has been highly recognized by his peers. He was selected Direct Marketing Man of the Year, won the distinguished Maxwell Sackheim Award for his career contributions to direct marketing and became a role model for many in sales and marketing. If you are a copywriter, a marketing person, somebody who enjoys a few fabulous success stories or if you just plain like Sugarman's writing style, this book will grab you and keep you fascinated - just like one of his uniquely innovative ads.
The Millionaire Messenger: Make a Difference and a Fortune Sharing Your Advice
Brendon Burchard - 2011
In The Millionaire Messenger, Brendon Burchard pulls back the curtains on the once-secretive "expert industry" and shows how to become an influential and highly paid advice expert through websites, books, speeches, seminars, coaching, consulting, and online programs. Blessed to receive life’s golden ticket - a second chance - after surviving a dramatic car accident, Burchard has dedicated his life to helping others find their voice, live more fully, and follow their dreams. By following his 10-step program, average, ordinary people can learn to package their struggles, successes, research, or life’s story into advice for others and become experts on any given topic. In the industry of people who share their advice and knowledge with the world and get paid for it, Burchard is the “guru’s guru." If you’ve ever wondered how the gurus spread their message, serve others, and build a real business, then this is a must-read.
Freakishly Effective Social Media for Network Marketing: How to Stop Wasting Your Time on Things That Don’t Work and Start Doing What Does
Ray Higdon - 2018
Social media has been called the “gold rush” of the 21st Century—a new, unchartered world where people in virtually every industry have found fame and fortune. This includes Network Marketing. The trouble is, as with the gold rush of the mid-1800s, the wild west atmosphere has left a lot of network marketers feeling lost and confused. Worse still, the short-term tactics being used cause unintentional harm to the reputation of the network marketing profession. In this book you will learn what truly works when it comes to using social media in your network marketing business including: The types of social media posts you should be focusing on and the things you must avoid sharing What you should and should not include as part of your profile A four-step process for creating freakishly effective Facebook lives The right way to reach out to someone on social media and what to say How to follow up when people “disappear” What to do if you’ve been doing it all wrong! And so much more… If you are ready to use social media to build your network marketing business, and you want to do it the right way, this book is a must-read.
Get it today!
A/B Testing: The Most Powerful Way to Turn Clicks Into Customers
Dan Siroker - 2013
By pulling together concrete examples of how A/B testing has made an impact, they are inspiring a new generation of companies to make thoughtful, data-driven decisions. Their new book is smart, valuable, and proves just how indispensable A/B testing is today."--MARISSA MAYER, CEO of Yahoo!"Finally, a book on A/B testing and digital optimization that I will eagerly hand out to my clients! It's approachable, not overly technical, and is actually full of real-world examples of testing in action that provide the inspiration for testing that is so badly needed in most companies."-- CALEB WHITMORE, founder and CEO, Analytics Pros; coauthor of Performance Marketing with Google Analytics"A practical and readable guide to get the most out of your online marketing tests. Get it before your competitors do!"-- Tim Ash, CEO, SiteTuners; bestselling author of Landing Page Optimization; and chair of Conversion Conference"Here's the secret to magnificent marketing success: 1. Create a hypothesis. 2. Test it. 3. Be less wrong! In our immensely complex business world, if your organization is not structured to be less wrong every day, your failure is guaranteed. Ready to be less wrong but don't know how? Let Dan and Pete teach you!"-- Avinash Kaushik, author of Web Analytics 2.0; Digital Marketing Evangelist, Google"Savvy marketers have long known that A/B testing is a great way to optimize marketing and generate more revenue. But for too long, it has been considered too hard and complicated for most marketers to use. A/B Testing: The Most Powerful Way to Turn Clicks into Customers shows marketers at all levels of experience why testing is important--and more importantly, it gives them step-by-step guidance on how to get started and get the best results. I'm giving copies of this to my entire team, and I recommend you do as well!"-- Jon Miller, cofounder and VP of Marketing, Marketo"A/B testing that is fast and simple is set to disrupt web measurement and analytics on a massive scale. Every company should be using A/B testing to continuously improve, and anyone who wants to lead the charge on this revolution within their organization will benefit from reading this book."-- Amy Chang, former Global Head of Product, Google Analytics"Much like the prescriptive writing guide The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, A/B Testing is simple in its construction and design, but deceptively powerful and comprehensive in its message and breadth. This book is sure to be the foundational and prescriptive guide to optimization testing."-- Khai Tran, Senior Manager, Product--Online Video Products & Platforms, Disney/ABC Television Group