Comments on: 5 Influential Books All Bloggers Should Know

By: Reginald

Reginald — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:37:47 +0000

Online Revenue,

At least, you have already read two books. I have to get caught up.

By: make money online

make money online — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:21:19 +0000

the tipping point is the one which helps a lot to the new bloggers like us.

By: Ankit Garg

Ankit Garg — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:12:58 +0000

Great list.
Have read The tipping point. I would say it is undoubtedly one of the best books written in recent times which elucidates the point crystal clear. Amazing book!

By: SMS Portal

SMS Portal — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:49:57 +0000

Great list, I have some reading to do it seems…

By: Sergey Rusak

Sergey Rusak — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:07:20 +0000

The best marketing book I ever read was David Meerman Scott (his blog: http://www.webinknow.com/) book called The New Rules of Viral Marketing.

By: Ari Herzog

Ari Herzog — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:19:57 +0000

To Reginald and others who ask why these titles are essential, you must remember that Darren Rowse is a full-time blogger and makes money from his blogs. He says this in so many words at the bottom of the screen.

His blogging is not just a hobby but a means for him to survive. As such, he tries to impart tips and suggestions for you and me and others to follow his model of success.

There is no better way to talk about success than explore solid marketing and business books that express that very element. I haven’t read any of the books he suggests above (err, I read some of The Tipping Point), although I do know of the authors. I know their backgrounds and have a basic understanding of what makes them tick to better comprehend why Darren recommends them.

If your purpose in blogging is to make money like Darren, follow his suggestions. If your purpose in blogging is to use the blog as a “web log” or “online journal,” you can still get something out of the books, no different than listening to AG Lafley, John Quelch, or Jack Welch speak about management dogma.

Thoughts?

By: Roy Sanders

Roy Sanders — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:09:45 +0000

Hi – great list, Darren. I would like to mention another one though – 101 Blogging Essentials. It may not be as comprehensive as some of the other books, but it gives straight forward tips, and ideas to help bloggers succeed online.

I’d also want to add in your book – ProBlogger. I’ve just finished reading it, and I must say, it covers it all!

Cheers and good luck!
Roy

By: Reginald

Reginald — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:26:55 +0000

I not sure I understand why these five books are viewed as essential?

Perhaps, someone can clue me in.

By: Nick R Thomas

Nick R Thomas — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:57:02 +0000

The Tipping Point is possibly the most fascinating non-fiction book I have ever read. What’s remarkable is that it was put together in the mid-90s and so makes little or no reference to the internet and yet you can recognise its relevance to a blog almost immediately. I consider myself very fortunate that I finally got around to reading it last August – just as I started blogging!

By another coincidence, I have just started reading Purple Cow. Just a few pages in and I am already impressed.

And Kirk, however old these two self-help books may be (I haven’t read the others so I can’t comment on them) they are still highly relevant to bloggers and are well worth reading – computer desk not coffee table.

I also get the impression that Darren and Chris do well enough on Associates, etc, without having to crowbar book ads into a post just for the sake of it!

By: Tamar Weinberg

Tamar Weinberg — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:01:53 +0000

I own all except #2. Gotta get it if it’s Chris-endorsed :D

By: Nathan Ketsdever

Nathan Ketsdever — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:42:53 +0000

I think you can get away with reading a short summary of tipping point. It was interesting and a quick read, but the phenomena is only really useful when looking back at when a tipping point occurs.

By: sdenterprise

sdenterprise — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:33:30 +0000

I have used the ideas that are discussed in The Tipping Point in my online businesses to grow slowly and surely till the point where I gain the success that I have been aiming for over time. I would recommend reading the tipping point also!

By: Enterprising Energy

Enterprising Energy — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:30:16 +0000

I have read both the pipping point and E-Myth, both of which I found very good reads and I have recommended both of them to people who I know.

The others mentioned above in the post look interesting, I will look out for them in the future.

By: Jacqueline (SEOGroup Blogger)

Jacqueline (SEOGroup Blogger) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:42:21 +0000

I especially second the Cluetrain Manifesto as a book all bloggers should read – it was ahead of its time. And it is free on the web, so there is no excuse.

I’d also recommend the Medici Effect by Frans Johansson (http://www.themedicieffect.com/). It’s not about blogging, writing, or even the web per say, but about the “intersection of different cultures, fields, and industries” (like in Rennaissance Florence). The concepts really can apply to blogger – consider how most bloggers have a rather unique variety of skills and talents.

At the very least, it is inspiring and encourages readers to look at old ideas in a fresh new way (or at least I did).

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:27:33 +0000

I am an avid reader, when I am not writing, and think that this is a great list. Like all lists there are going to be a few books left out (on purpose?).

I am half way into ProBlogger and think that you should definetly add it to the list. Chris, Darren, I congraulate you on a great work. This is a book that I will be recommending to everyone who asks me how to start a blog….And I get asked that a lot, usually at the bar.

By: Todd Andrews

Todd Andrews — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:58:41 +0000

Not directly related to blogging or anything on the internet, but I think everyone can learn something from Robert Cialdini’s – The Psychology of Persuasion.

By: Hendry Lee

Hendry Lee — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:45:50 +0000

I recommend every book from Seth. The Dip is outstanding. I’m getting Meatball Sundae.

Awakening The Entrepreneur Within by Michael Gerber is also a great reading.

By: Sandeep Bali

Sandeep Bali — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:16:09 +0000

Great list.. really appreciate it. Have you read “The Dilbert Principle” by Scott Adams.. its great management book. Things apart, I wanted to suggest to make your Problogger book available in pdf format, so that people living in far away countries (like me in India) can download it instantly. I guess Amazon has the option to convert the book to ebook.

By: Metro

Metro — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:01:56 +0000

The best book to read for bloggers is The Bible. Then read all the others.

Lots of inspiration and ideas.

By: rjleaman

rjleaman — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:34:59 +0000

Chris, I am quite impressed by your ability to put the essential nugget of a book into so few words! This not only gives a clear idea of what each book is about, but the post stands alone as a mini-list of 5 separate business/blogging ideas to ponder.