The Secret 20 Ways To Make $100 Per Day Online

Top 10 Most Essential Books for Online Entrepreneurs
I've always believed your life is changed by the books you read, experiences you create and the people you meet. One of my earliest mentors (in print & audio) was Earl Nightingale and he said, "If you want to become an expert read for 1-hour per day for 3 years on your given subject. If you want to become a world expert read for 1-hour per day for 5 years." Well, I took his advice to heart and early-on I wondered what would happen if I read 2 or 3 hours per day?

Today I still strive to get through at least one book/week sometimes more (or sometimes less like when Zoe is screaming her head off). My library is filled with hundreds and hundreds of books. In fact, when we moved houses this summer - getting built-in bookshelves done before we moved in was a top priority.

I agree when Brian Tracy says rich people have big libraries and poor people have big televisions. Though I'd have to amend that to rich people have big libraries that buy them BIG televisions. ;)

It's always tough when you have so many great books to pick out a handful as the "all-time" best but here goes...

Drum roll please...

"Top-10" Most Essential Business Books for Successful Entrepreneurs:

#1: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - Not really a business book but probably one of the biggest influences for top CEOs and entrepreneurs who have cited this numerous times. I've read this several times and even threw out calling our daughter Dagny - but Missy didn't go for that. I loved Atlas Shrugged for instilling the philosophy of productive value should be compensated and revered instead of these individuals being coerced into self-sacrifice because of their talent and other's "needs". It furthered the argument in my mind that the more laissez-faire approach to governing is ultimately best for a free marketplace and productive society. Yes, this is a thick read but well worth it.

#2: Influence: The psychology of persuasion by Robert Cialdini, PhD - I've read it at least 9 times and it will truly help you understand the psychological triggers to a sale. Very powerful stuff. Written by a self-proclaimed "sucker" and professor of psychology to help consumers avoid being taken "in" by marketers - this instantly became a classic for us marketers to apply each of the psychological tactics to success. This truly is a power that should only be harnessed for good. If I was to start at zero again and if you stripped away all the knowledge from every book I've read - I would start by reading this one and get it all back!

#3: How to Make Millions with Your Ideas: An Entrepreneur's Guide by Dan Kennedy - Yes, even though this was published in 1996 and some of the new-fangled technology sections like broadcast fax are out-of-date - this is a top ten for sure! I've spent probably $150k or more with Dan and every product or resource I buy from him gives me back at least a 10-to-1 return. This is one of my favorite Dan books (along with #7 on the list) but you really can't go wrong buying any of his books. When I first stumbled onto Dan I was so excited because he finally provided more of the true 'nuts & bolts' I was looking for. Sure, he's grumpy and not the most sociable guy - but his information is priceless no matter what type of business you are in.

#4: "Tested Advertising Methods" by John Caples. Absolute classic for any direct marketer or anyone that doesn't want to waste a dime on untrackable ads. Devour this one and also look for Caples' other books that are out of print. A true professional who generously published his directly-traceable results for everybody to benefit from. Many people might think there's nothing to be gained from a book written decades ago - WRONG! Everything Caples reveals applies online in spades.

#5: Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins - Yes another "old time" marketing book but the gems in here are absolutely brilliant if applied today. Remember, human nature does not change - just the ways to activate our buying does. This is a short read and available online for free in many places since it's in the public domain. Hopkins was one of the true advertising pioneers and this little guide really distills the essence of why you cannot use conjecture or opinion but actual tested, scientific methods to discover what your customers/prospects want.

#6: 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss - I have to admit it, I love Tim's book because this is the book I wish I wrote. Tim's a friend of mine and we met over our love of marketing, living life to the fullest and extreme adventures. There's a reason this book has literally taken on a life of it's own and achieved best-seller status so quickly. To me, it's because the concepts in here are so compelling.

I've given away a ton of copies of this book and a lot of people have actually gotten pissed at me for giving to them. One of my hockey teammates said that to me again a few nights ago. He's gets really mad when he looks at it on the nightstand because he's not living his life the way it could be using the ideas in this book. This book is designed to get you to stop and think if you are really putting the right things in the right priority. Tim has a concept of the "New Rich" and that's people who have time to do the things they want & they're passionate on. There's some exciting concepts about life design, dumping the email habit, outsourcing and creating online "muses" that pay for it all.

#7: Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki - A lot of people might say "Rich Dad/Poor Dad" is more influential but I would argue this second book in the series really hits the concepts explained there harder. If you're looking for a book to shake you out of the typical 9-to-5 mindset - this will do it. The Cashflow Quadrant is all about creating enough passive income to pay for your needs and truly creating financial independence. It's a simple concept explained by Kiyosaki's drawing depicted on the cover. On the left-hand side are the people who trade time for money. That's the "E" or employee quadrant and the "S" or Small business quadrant. Then on the right-hand side are the people creating passive wealth by being "I" - Investors or "B" Business owners (who work on in their business not in it). While Kiyosaki's books are pretty short on specific details - I think the philosophy and mindset is way more powerful and important.

#8: "Magic Words that Bring You Riches" by Ted Nicholas - There are 3 main people I'd give credit for opening my eyes to the enormous power of direct response marketing and helping me achieve financial independence before I was 31. And one of those is definitely Ted Nicholas. I cannot begin to tell you how many dozens of times I listened and read Ted's material over and over again. He's one of my all-time marketing heroes. Ted took the guts of his $197/year newsletter on direct marketing and distilled it into this single book. When I checked this morning there were a few used copies available on Amazon but you can now find it as an ebook or real book on Ted's site.

#9: No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy - Yes, Kennedy makes the list twice. Let's face it, for entrepreneurs we've got no greater asset than our time. And even if you've read a 100 other time management books I guarantee you'll get something out of this one. Here's Dan's unique & ruthless approach to time management that might give some people pause. I don't follow all of Dan's advice here because I'm a little too nice at times but reading this book will really let you understand that you create the rules at all time. You decide how you want customers to work with you, people to contact you, etc. Fact is, if you don't set the rules - then someone else will for you by default.

Another Dan Side Note: Dan and his top students probably get more accomplished than most anyone else. You might want to check out Dan's upcoming release - "The Phenomenon" which details how to get more done in 12 months than you have in the last 12 years. My own "Phenomenon" story is also part of this DVD.

By John S

#10: "Winning Through Intimidation" by Robert Ringer - I know the title of this book is a bit off putting and that's probably why Robert renamed the latest edition. I love the way Ringer objectively looks at other people's success advice in here.