Top 10 Marketing Business Books for Entrepreneurs ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Here are my top 10 marketing business books for entrepreneurs (PDF download). Now, these books will only resonate with you if you own or work in a small entrepreneurial business where generating sales is key. If you are looking for academic marketing books or you work in corporate marketing then these will not be for you. There is just a brief explanation of the value I received each time I read these books.

The 1 -10 ranking does not apply, as each of these books has its own unique angle so it would be like trying to compare apples and oranges. Unless I gained valuable business and marketing insights and enjoy reading them, then they would not be on the list. The non-affiliate link takes you to Amazon where there are full descriptions and reviews to enable you to decide for yourself.

1 The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes.

What can I say about this book? If you are in sales you should read this book. Unfortunately, Chet died in 2012 and so it appears a little dated with regards to internet marketing but the principles are timeless and I am sure this will become a classic sales/marketing text. Only 3% of people are ready to buy at any time when we are adverting. But what about the other 97%. How do you tap into these people and generate sales? The top 100 concept is a killer strategy for B2B marketing Amazon Link . BONUS – Check out this video with Chet and Tony Robbins. All in all it is about an hours worth of video, but very compelling – link to video.

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2 They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan.

Mention blogging, content marketing, keywords, CMS, SEO to most business owners and their eyes glaze over with the thought of technical marketing mumbo jumbo. But this book is a practical ‘how to’ guide totally focused on what customers are looking for and how you can deliver education online that ultimately draws customers to you, rather than you chase them. One of my clients recommended this to me after I got him started with “blogging” and I showed him how I was able to attract customers to me just by providing valuable content online. This book contains timeless marketing principles, not a quick fix, gone tomorrow solutions that are so prevalent in internet marketing. Amazon Link

3 DotCom Secrets by Russell Brunson.

Fantastic book as it gives the small business owner a solid foundation by which to structure their marketing. Do you just sell one product? Russell introduces the concept of product ascension. His products range from free to $1M a year consulting. This is game-changing for most small businesses. Amazon Link

4 Emyth Revisited by Michael Gerber.

Another top selling publication. As with Work the System (4) this is all about organising your business for success. Gerber walks you through the steps in the life of a business—from entrepreneurial infancy through adolescent growing pains to the mature entrepreneurial perspective. Most importantly, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in your business. Amazon Link

5 Work the System by Sam Carpenter.

So many small businesses are run on a wing and a prayer. No formal systems and this holds them back from greatness. In his book Sam uses his business as an example- taking it from working an 80 hour week, fighting bankruptcy and all the stress to a hugely successful business where he just has to work a couple of hours a week. Systems are key to business growth. Amazon Link

6 Launch by Jeff Walker.

The Product Launch Formula online training by Jeff Walker has been around now for 10 years or so. In this book, Jeff maps out his process for selling products and services online. The separate principles of his concept are nothing new, it is the way Jeff has organised them into a system which makes it so powerful. The book costs around £10 but I must say it contains about 80% of what is contained in the Product Launch Formula online course which costs about $2000. So this book is a smart investment. Amazon Link

7 Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestly.

Traditionally businesses spend money on advertising and chasing after customers. But times are a changing. With the internet and Google, anyone can quickly learn about any service or product they are interested in. In this book, Daniel explains in this new world how to position yourself and your business as the experts and so attract customers to you so that you are oversubscribed and as a result charge a premium for your product or service. Amazon Link

8 Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself by Mike Michalowicz.

This book goes hand in hand with Work The System (No. 4 above). It is all about how to plan and set up systems so that you can take a full month out of your business initially and prove to yourself that your business no longer requires you to work in the business, rather you become the designer of your business.

9 Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch.

Duct Tape Marketing is a great book for the small business owner and marketer without being full of marketing speak and jargon. Full of practical steps that a marketer can take to move the business forward. Read more.

10 How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

This is a timeless classic and is the foundation by which so many of today’s “gurus” are based. To be honest this should be a read for everyone. This is more personal self-development than marketing, but it just has to be on this list for me. Amazon Link

What is your most valued read as an entrepreneur? I would love to hear and maybe it will make it on my list of top books for entrepreneurs.

Phil Novell – Sash Window restoration

He turned my inefficient Keap CRM into a lead generating, sales and follow up machine!…

I would highly recommend Julian. He turned my inefficient Keap CRM into a lead generating, sales and follow up machine! Within two weeks of him overhauling the CRM we generated 30K in sales from estimates that were just sitting dormant in our system. The evergreen campaign he set up with automated tips for customers has reengaged clients bringing in further income.

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Philip Novell - Novells Sash Windows

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Santa Pause is coming – to HighLevel

Have you ever received marketing emails over the Christmas holidays – it just seems wrong when you get an email on Christmas day asking you to take action today. Know what I mean? Well this is no longer a problem for HighLevel users. At a global account level we can pause workflows and emails from going out over the Christmas holiday time – and they just resume after the holidays, a neat little feature. Here is more detail:- Managing workflows efficiently is crucial for businesses, especially when certain processes need to be temporarily halted during specific periods, such as holidays or maintenance windows. GoHighLevel’s “Pause Workflow” feature offers a streamlined solution to manage these pauses without the need to deactivate or delete entire workflows. Understanding the Pause Workflow Feature The “Pause Workflow” functionality allows administrators to temporarily suspend specific workflows for designated date ranges. This is particularly beneficial for workflows with seasonal actions or those requiring periodic adjustments. By utilizing this feature, businesses can ensure that certain processes are paused and resumed seamlessly, maintaining operational efficiency. How to Implement the Pause Workflow Feature Access Global Workflow Settings: Navigate to the “Global Workflow Settings” within your GoHighLevel dashboard. Set Start and End Dates: Click on the “Start Date and Time” field to select the desired start and end dates and times for the pause period. After making your selections, click the “Confirm” button. Select Workflows to Pause: In the “Select Workflows” field, choose one or multiple published workflows you wish to pause. Note that only published workflows will appear in the dropdown menu. Add Multiple Date Ranges: If you need to pause workflows during multiple periods, click the “Add Date” button to include additional date ranges. You can add up to 15 different date ranges. Enable Annual Pauses: For recurring pauses on the same dates each year, check the “Annually” box for the corresponding date range. This ensures the selected workflows are automatically paused annually on the specified dates. Clone or Delete Date Ranges: To duplicate a date range, click the clone icon next to the desired row. To remove a date range, click the delete icon. Monitor Paused Status: When workflows are paused, their status will be highlighted as “Paused” on the Workflow Landing Page. Access Builder Settings: Within each workflow’s builder settings, a “Pause Workflow” section provides details about the pause schedule. You can also access the “Global Workflow Settings” from this section to make any necessary changes. Important Considerations The maximum allowed duration between the start and end dates for a pause is 15 days. Ensure that a workflow is not included in overlapping date ranges to prevent conflicts. By leveraging GoHighLevel’s “Pause Workflow” feature, businesses can effectively manage their workflows, ensuring that specific processes are paused and resumed as needed without disrupting overall operations. For a detailed walkthrough and additional information, refer to GoHighLevel’s official support documentation.
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What the Thryv Takeover of Keap Means for Small Business Owners

The recent acquisition of Keap by Thryv marks a significant shift in the CRM and small business software landscape. For many Keap users, this merger brings up key questions about platform integration, product evolution, and the potential for new tools. In this post, I’ll walk through what this change means and what small business owners should expect. Why the Merger? Thryv, known for its comprehensive business management solutions, has strategically acquired Keap to expand its reach among small businesses looking for robust yet accessible CRM systems. Keap’s user-friendly automation features, coupled with Thryv’s broader suite, means enhanced capabilities for current and future clients. What Changes to Expect For current Keap users, you can expect gradual changes, likely with added features and expanded integrations. Thryv’s emphasis on streamlining business operations suggests more tools to simplify client interactions, appointments, and marketing processes. Is This Good News for Keap Users? Absolutely. Thryv’s resources and support structures will likely bring increased development and security to the platform. While there may be a transition period, the overall integration should enhance Keap’s tools and provide access to new solutions without losing the functionality and simplicity Keap users rely on. Looking Forward Change can be daunting, but this merger could offer significant advantages for small business owners looking for reliable CRM solutions. Thryv’s larger framework could make automation and client engagement even easier to manage, with new possibilities for growth and scalability. For any small business looking to stay on top of client management, this merger might just be the beginning of an era where user needs are met more effectively than ever before. Stay tuned as I continue to follow these developments, keeping you informed about how they impact your CRM strategy.
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Free Google Review Card with NFC and QR code – ReviewBoost-Pro

Do you want to capture more Google Reviews from your customers? Do you interact with your customers face to face? Say in a restaurant, shop, dental practice etc etc? If yes, then a Google Review card makes it super easy to ask for and capture Google reviews from your happy customers. It all starts with a ReviewBoost-Pro NFC / QR code enabled card. Simply tap the card on the customers phone – or scan the QR code and your Google My Business review page pops up immediately. So making it really easy to ask happy customers there and then for a Google Review. Want to give it a try? Get a free card – just pay £2 towards postage and packing. (one card per customer/company)
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How to Migrate from Wix to HighLevel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you ready to take your business to the next level by transitioning from Wix to HighLevel? This migration guide will help you make the switch smoothly, enabling you to enjoy HighLevel’s advanced marketing automation and CRM capabilities. Step 1: Prepare for the Migration Before diving into the process, take stock of your existing Wix site. Audit your website content, assets, and integrations. Identify which features need to be transferred and ensure you have backups of key data like forms, blog posts, and customer information. Step 2: Set Up HighLevel Start by creating your HighLevel account. Set up your subdomain, customize your funnels, and configure your pipelines. HighLevel’s intuitive interface makes it easy to replicate or improve upon your existing site structure. Step 3: Transfer Content and Assets Manually transfer your website’s critical content, such as service pages, contact forms, and images, into HighLevel’s drag-and-drop page builder. For blogs, use HighLevel’s blog feature to host your posts, optimizing them for performance and SEO. Step 4: Rebuild Forms and Automations HighLevel’s automation tools are more robust than Wix’s, so this is your chance to upgrade. Recreate your forms and workflows in HighLevel’s system, ensuring a seamless experience for your leads and customers. Step 5: Test Before Going Live Thoroughly review your migrated site. Test your forms, automations, and integrations to make sure everything functions as expected. HighLevel’s all-in-one platform means you can consolidate and streamline multiple tools, giving you a competitive edge. Step 6: Launch Your New HighLevel Site Once satisfied, point your domain to HighLevel and go live! Your business will now benefit from enhanced functionality and a platform built for growth. By following this guide, you can ensure a seamless migration from Wix to HighLevel while unlocking the full potential of this powerful platform. For the full detailed migration guide, please visit this link: Wix to HighLevel Migration Guide If you need any further pointers I would be happy to get on a quick discovery call. If you have yet to set up a HighLevel account then I suggest you reach out to MarketerM8. They are a HighLevel agency that can support you during the set up phase. Check out MarketerM8 here.
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Why expensive “Guru” Cookie-Cutter Strategies and Templates Don’t Work for Your Business

You’ve seen them: the gurus in your industry flashing their fancy cars, designer watches, and million-dollar homes. They’ve got the “winning system” and are more than happy to sell you the so-called “secrets” behind their success. But here’s the harsh reality: these cookie-cutter solutions rarely, if ever, work. Take it from my client, John (name changed, but the story is 100% real). John came to me after years of frustration. He was exhausted. He’d followed every step the gurus laid out—buying courses, bought that latest software tools, buying Keap campaign templates, copying HighLevel snapshots. You name it, John had tried it. Every guru promised the same thing: “Just follow this blueprint, and you’ll be making six figures in no time.” (As an aside – as soon as a potential JV partner, affiliate etc says “we will make a fortune together then run a mile – they will never deliver) So John did. He followed every script, every formula. No shortcuts. And guess what happened? Nothing. Each time, it flopped. Over and over again. John wasn’t just disappointed—he was on the verge of giving up. His business wasn’t just stagnant; it was going backward. He was wasting time and burning through money, trying to force-fit his business into someone else’s mould. Here’s the thing: These “winning systems” may have worked for the gurus, but they’re not built for your business, your audience, or your goals. (Often the winning system is the system that sold you on buying the winning system – and that is now what you sell.) Every business is different, and what works for one person often fails for another. Yet, that’s exactly what John had been doing—forcing his unique business into a generic template. And it was costing him more than just money—it was draining his energy, his time, and his sanity. When John came to me, we took a step back. We stopped trying to squeeze his business into a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we created a personalized plan, tailored to his strengths, his audience, and his vision. Within just a few months, John saw results that completely turned things around. He went from feeling like he was drowning to generating more income in a week than he had in months. That’s what happens when you ditch the cookie-cutter formulas. I’ve spent the last 20 years learning and studying the stratergies and tactics the “gurus” preach—and yes, there’s value in understanding them. But the difference is, I don’t just copy and paste. I apply the right mix of strategies that work for your specific business. If you’re tired of following cookie-cutter formulas that don’t work, I’m here to help. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—I believe in your solution. Let’s sit down, look at where you are, and create a plan that actually works for you. If you’re ready to stop wasting time on ineffective tactics, I’d love to chat. Let’s schedule a Discovery call and find the right path forward for your business. You can book a Discover Call here.
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Industrial Espionage on the cheap – a nice little growth hack

I was just reading my recent copy of The Circular (Issue 168, page 27) from the Entrepreneur’s Circle and had to chuckle at this smart little growth hack. Nick Jenkins who founded Moonpig.com was telling EC members how he had grown his business from £2.5M to £45M. He was looking to scale and had discounted TV advertising as too expensive. But he noticed one of his competitors was using TV. So in a nutshell by placing a regular order for a greetings card from the competitor and recording the order number he was able to get a good estimate on the number of sales they were doing. (Because most companies accounting systems use a sequential ordering number.) And from this and making informed assumptions he was able to work back that the average cost per customer was £10, which was the magic number. And so this gave him to confidence to throw £50,000 into a TV advert. And the rest as they say is history. This is just one example how over the past 5 years the EC has made me a smarter entrepreneur and positively impacted on my business growth – try for yourself and take a look at The Entrepreneurs Circle, they even do a free trial.
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