For many years we’ve been hard-pressed to find 10 decent books about online business to share, let alone a list of the best picks. This year we had a bit of a tough time narrowing down our online business book choices! There still isn’t enough truly good information out there to help Canadian businesses as they navigate the Internet frontier, but the situation is improving. Following is our list of choices in order of release date. Read & heed those that apply to you and I guarantee you’ll have a more successful online business in 2015.
Top 10 Online Business Books of 2014
The Art of Social Selling: Finding and Engaging Customers on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Other Social Networks
by Shannon Belew (January, 2014) – Technically published in 2013, but we couldn’t get a released copy until early 2014. The Internet has become flooded with so many “social media experts”, it’s tough to tell the true gurus from the “I use ’em so I’m an expert” types. Ms. Belew has proven herself to have true expertise to offer those who are trying to master social selling. She understands that the only way to benefit from social media is to have a strategy and consistently work it.
Recommend This!: Delivering Digital Experiences that People Want to Share
by Jason Thibeault and Kirby Wadsworth (January, 2014) – It is imperrative that we explore the mind of the digital consumer if we want to have any chance at all in reaching them online. Engaging with those consumers and nurturing a relationship with them is the key to being heard above the noise when you want them to share.
Write. Publish. Repeat. (The No-Luck-Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success)
by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant (January, 2014) – A highly recommended self-publishing guide FOR indie authors, BY indie authors who actually make a living writing and publishing their books.
Web Marketing That Works: Confessions from the Marketing Trenches
by Adam Franklin and Toby Jenkins (March, 2014) – This book is precisely what many Canadian businesses need as they begin to promote their businesses via the Internet. It’s intended to guide any type of business, covering everything from SEO to Social Marketing. The templates included make it that much easier to turn their advice into an actionable online marketing plan.
Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies
by Shannon Belew and Joel Elad (July, 2014) – If you’re new to online business and don’t know where to start or step next, Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies will take you there. Like all of the books in the “For Dummies” series, this one is written with the beginner in mind. It’s especially valuable because it’s actually 11 books in one (888 pages)!
- Online Business Basics
- Legal and Accounting
- Website Design
- Online and Operating
- Internet Security
- Boosting Sales
- Retail to E-Tail
- Storefront Selling
- Fundraising Sites
- Niche E-Commerce
- E-Commerce Advanced
The New Rules of Retail: Competing in the World’s Toughest Marketplace
Second Edition, by Robin Lewis and Michael Dart (August, 2014) – Learn how technology and globalization has empowered consumers and changed the face of retail. Then learn how to work it to your advantage.
Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content
by Ann Handley (September, 2014) – The success or failure of online business revolves around content and communication. This guide will ensure you’re creating superior content, while fully leveraging every word you publish.
UnSelling: The New Customer Experience
By Canadians Scott Stratten and Alison Kramer (September, 2014) – The actual sale is your endgame. What leads to the sale is “content, connection, engagement”, and that’s what this book focuses on.
Everyone’s a Critic: Winning Customers in a Review-Driven World
by Bill Tancer (October, 2014) – With 80+% of consumers checking for reviews before buying, it has become critical to pay attention and better manage online feedback. This book will help you turn all reviews into a competitive advantage.
You Only Have to Be Right Once: The Unprecedented Rise of the Instant Tech Billionaires
by Randall Lane (October, 2014) – If you’re inspired by success, this book is for you. Forbes Editor, Randal Lane, shares the secrets behind the success of 16 tech billionaires.
What have you read in 2014 that has helped your online business? Please share your choices in the comments below.
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Melody McKinnon is an internet entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in a wide range of online business models, backed by a formal business education and enhanced by training and mentorship. She has owned or managed both educational and ecommerce websites. Her book, 7 Recession Proof Online Businesses to Start From Home, is available from all major ebook retailers.
Melody has worked with many businesses & brands in a multitude of capacities. She can often be found on CanadianDigitalMedia.com, CanadiansInternet.com, CanadianFamily.net, and AllNaturalPetCare.com, as well as other quality digital publications. Her content has earned reference links from highly-respected websites, magazines and university textbooks.
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https://medium.com/@business_32556
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is actually irritating. A good blog with exciting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again.
Great list! I can’t wait for my order to come. I like eBooks for some things but print is better if I want to go back to it often. Thanks for keeping me busy for the year. 😉
You’ve covered just about everything in this list. I agree I’ll be ready to take on the online world once I’ve read them all but it will probably take me until 2016 to fiinish them! lol
tons of great reading here!!
Excellent choices & I see you’ve found a few I didn’t find myself. Love to read.
I gathered up my gift cards and BOUGHT THEM ALL!!!! LOL Crazy maybe but I’m so sick of going through books trying to guess which ones are worth the money. Thanks for saving me a bundle with your usual sage advice. Happy new year!!!
Hi Melody,
Thanks so much for the mention in your list!
We were stoked to be able to share our best lessons in Web Marketing That Works. If anyone is interested in the templates they can grab them immediately from: http://www.bluewiremedia.com.au/book.
Happy new year to you all.
Toby