It’s a busy world out there. With work, family, friends and the myriad of obligations that need to get done every single day, who has time for reading? It seems like the only thing people are doing less of is sleeping!
But ask small business owners about their habits and you’ll find nearly all of them make time to read. Whether it’s in the form of books or magazines, they’re always scouring the internet for new information on how to improve themselves and in turn give themselves an edge in their industry.
And while most people would rather spend that time working than reading about working. There is one type of publication they can’t put down: business books. You see it in waiting rooms, coffee shops and subway cars. People devouring new material to feed their need for more knowledge.
The question becomes how do you separate yourself from all the others who are also looking for that same information? How can your book stand out when there are thousands of other business books on the market competing against yours?
It begins with a great title. Just like articles, you’re looking for something original yet descriptive in its tone and in one or two words it should identify exactly what your book is about so people know they want to read it.
1) Business Books with Great Titles
How To Do What You Love & Earn What You’re Worth by Paul Cummings: Straight forward, no nonsense approach to making money doing what you love.
Secrets of a Freelance Writer by Robert Lee Brewer: A book full of recommendations for freelance writers looking to take their career to the next level.
The Zen of Social Media Marketing by Shama Kabani: An insightful guide into how businesses can use social media more effectively to reach the people they want, when they want it.
2) Good Titles That Sell Business Books
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey: This classic is always in the top 10 best selling business books. Why? Because it’s not just about improving your effectiveness but also improving you as a person at the same time. Win-Win Negotiations by Roger Fischer and Scott Brown / Transcendence / Advanced Negotiations by Roger Fischer and Scott Brown / Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss: This trio of books written by a former FBI Hostage Negotiator gives you a different perspective on how to get what you want from a negotiation. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg: A great title for this book which helps the reader understands how habits work and through that learn about themselves.
3) Bad Titles That Kill Business Books
How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying by David Caruso: If I was just told to read this from someone I don’t know online, I would have no interest in it whatsoever. So bad it actually killed interest in an interesting topic just because of the way it was worded.
Rise of the Machines by Thomas Frey: Awesome concept about how humans could be at risk from machines one day taking over the world. Bad title to a book that would otherwise sell more copies if people knew what it was actually about before buying it.
4) Business Book Titles – The Takeaway
Know who you’re talking to and speak their language. A lot of books have titles targeted at a very specific niche but they have no clue that exactly is in that category or what words will attract them. Before coming up with your next business book idea, ask yourself “What does this target audience want to read?” Find out who they are, what’s currently working for them, where do they hang out on the internet and what do they like? You’ll be surprised to find that by simply changing one or two words in your title you will increase sales.
5) The Best Business Book Titles
The Lean Startup by Eric Rise: Written for entrepreneurs but important reading for anyone starting a new business venture. It’s all about the idea of getting out there, testing things out and being ready to adapt when something isn’t working right. Crucial advice if you’re trying to avoid wasting time and money with a bad product/service before it’s sold to your customers. How To Grow A Top Law Firm In Tough Times by Jeffrey Pfeffer: Straightforward approach to doing business in times where it seems everyone is struggling to make money. Pfeffer is a professor at Stanford University and he’s written books on the subject of business for over 20 years, so if you want to get “straight guy” advice this would be it.
Conclusion:
The way you word your business book title is incredibly important. It can make or break whether someone buys it or not. Think before you write and always remember that a good marketing tool needs to be both informative and catchy, which makes for a great title?
