Summer Reading List for Freelancers

We’ve got your summer reading list. It’s a collection of eye-opening, brain-bursting books for freelance web designers. Ready to stretch and grow with a good book? Reading for pleasure was a lost cause during my college years. Professors gave too much assigned reading, and those books I wanted to read for myself fell to my summer reading list.

Kevin D. Hendricks
We’ve got your summer reading list. It’s a collection of eye-opening, brain-bursting books for freelance web designers. Ready to stretch and grow with a good book? Summer Reading for Freelancers Reading for pleasure was a lost cause during my college years. Professors gave too much assigned reading, and those books I wanted to read for myself fell to my summer reading list. When summer finally did come, I dove into those books and cherished a good read. I owe my first reading of The Lord of the Rings to those summer reading lists. These days freelance work is constant, and summer isn’t quite the same. But it can still be a chance to shift gears, if only mentally, and do something a little different. Let this summer be the one where you finally tackle that summer reading list.

Wait, How Do I Find Time to Read?

That sounds all well and good, but how do you actually find the time to read? It’s a fair question. But the answer is pretty simple: you make time. Our founder, Cory Miller, is a big proponent of the Kindle and has found that digital reading has made it easier for him to read more. I’m also a big reader—over 100 books every year since 2012. I even wrote a book about how I do it. That’s kind of meta, but if you really want to read more, it’s quick and full of practical suggestions.

The Summer Reading List

Below is our collection of summer reads for freelancers. Fiction is fun, but we’re not looking for a distraction. We want to sharpen your skills, better your business and focus your freelancing. Let’s do it!
1. The E-Myth RevisitedThe eMyth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael Gerber Multiple people recommended this one. “This book radically changed my business and entrepreneurial mindset forever,” says James Dalman. “Working on your business instead of in it is critical for success and profitable growth.”
2. The Obstacle is the WayThe Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumphs by Ryan Holiday Cory Miller describes it as “a mantra for how I attack life.” Read more in his review.
3. Book Yourself SolidBook Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle by Michael Port This book starts with why self-promotion is so important and then builds on that premise with solid strategies and techniques.
4. Ger Clients NowGet Clients Now: A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals, Consultants and Coaches by C.J. Hayden Replace unproductive cold calling with the power of relationship marketing.
5. AbundanceAbundance: The Future is Better Than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler We have the greatest opportunity in history to increase the quality of life for every human being on the planet. Read more in Cory Miller’s review.
6. The Automatic CustomerThe Automatic Customer: Creating a Subscription Business in Any Industry by John Warrillow The lifeblood of your business is repeat customers. So how do you keep them coming back? By making them automatic customers. You can also check out our webinar with author John Warrillow for more.
7. The Passion ConversationThe Passion Conversation: Understanding, Sparking and Sustaining Word of Mouth Marketing by Robbin Phillips “Creating a lovable and valuable brand isn’t about marketing, it’s about capturing the hearts of people,” says James Dalman. “Discover how to connect on a deeper level with your freelancing clients by reading this book.”
8. Design is a JobDesign is a Job by Mike Monteiro Why navigating the business of design is just as important as the craft of it. Check out the author’s take on contracts for an example of his valuable advice.
9. Fortune Cookie PrincipleFortune Cookie Principle: The 20 Keys to a Great Brand Story and Why Your Business Needs One by Bernadette Jiwa “Your brand is everything when it comes to freelancing professionally,” says James Dalman. “Build a great brand and reputation, and you will get more awesome work or clients.”
10. Bonus: Your Brain at WorkYour Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus and Working Smarter All Day Long by David Rock Understand how your brain works so you can maximize your mental resources.

More Summer Reading

freelance-web-designerThe Ultimate Guide to Starting a Freelance Web Design Business by iThemes Whether you build websites as a hobby or already have a few clients, this book is the ultimate resource for starting a freelance web design business. We’ve combined the wisdom of successful freelance web designers into one go-to reference book.
Not enough suggestions? Check out Cory Miller’s Ultimate Reading List. He’s got 65 books and counting. Thanks to Cory Miller, James Dalman, Andrew Norcross, Curtis McHale and our WProsper community for the book recommendations.

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