One of my favourite parts of the Marketing for Introverts podcast is discussing and recommending books for introverts with my guests. All year a host of successful introverts – marketing experts and business owners – have been sharing the books that have made an impact on them.
Maybe you are looking for Christmas present ideas for the introvert business owner in your life? Here are 6 books loved and recommended by me and my guests.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
This was recommended by Anita Popat, one of my recent guests. Anita is not a big reader, she’s more of a podcast addict. But she said that she had read this cover to cover and implemented some changes in her business that have had an impact.
I bought this on Anita’s recommendation, and while I haven’t finished it yet, I’m already seeing the difference that small changes to my daily habits can have. (Picking up an apple to eat on the afternoon school run, in case you are interested!)
Do less by Kate Northrup
Avid reader Emma Louise Parkes was on the podcast in the summer. She recommended this title, to fit with our conversation about managing your personal energy. It explores what tasks should we be doing and how should we be doing them? As the Bookshop review says: “Instead of “leaning in,” and “doing it all,” entrepreneur and best-selling author Kate Northrup invites you to experiment with doing less.” This is on my reading list for 2023!
Fix This Next: Make the Vital Change That Will Level Up Your Business by Mike Michalowicz
Former journalist turned content marketing strategist Rachel Extance came on the podcast in May to talk to me about using content to help you get more visible. She spoke really highly of this title, from the writer of Profit First (recommended in the autumn by Dan Edwards). She read it in a low ebb in her business and it made her think “I can do this!”
Fix This Next walks you through how to set up good foundations for your business. It takes steps up a pyramid to put the right things in place as you grow. As Rachel said, it’s an easy read and really helpful if you need clarity on where the business should be going next.
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Rob Lodge came on the podcast in the spring to talk about branding and how to develop successful and memorable brands. His book recommendation was on exactly this subject. How to be different in a crowded market like a purple cow in the field of brown cows. The book discusses how to stand out in business because it’s the stand out businesses that are going to be effective. I still have not read this one, so another book for my 2023 reading list!
They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
I finally read this at the start of the year, after sitting on my shelf for a long time. I think it’s a must read for marketers, web designers, copy writers and social media managers. Right at the start of the book Sheridan shares that these days on average 70 per cent of the buying decision is made before a prospect talks to a company. And knowing that statistic, marketing has to change. The books outlines how your marketing should answer the burning questions of your prospects and clients, and how to do it in a way that differentiates you from your competitors. The story behind the book is great – and a perfect example of how to use your own story in your marketing.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
It’s ten years since Susan Cain gave us the language to celebrate our introversion. It highlighted the impact that introverts can make on the world through telling the stories of high profile introverts. Cain mentions Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, to Rosa Parks and Ghandi. It explains that shyness and introversion are separate things. It looks at the nature/nurture argument and how understanding our own preferences can really help us find the best ways to work and live.
The book is stuffed with great quotes, but here is my favourite. “The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting.“
If you want to see the full list of books for introverts recommended this year, go to the Marketing for Introverts bookshop (this is an affiliate link so I may receive a small sum if you choose to buy anything on the list.)
