Bigger Than This
I read this book on brand strategy over the summer and just did a quick re-read while working on a client’s brand strategy. I was able to identify my client’s brand differentiator easily based on this book and used it to clarify their mission. Super handy and helpful book to keep around.
The Psychology of Money
A really wholesome view on money, wealth, and the value of being satisfied with “enough.” It was an easy, pleasant read that I was excited to pick up each night - finishing it in just 2 weeks!
Make a Living Designing Logos
I actually backed his Kickstarter campaign so I got a cool signed edition with some fun swag and a free audiobook version, so I listened to the book while literally designing logos.
It was chock full of useful, practical content going from the very basics of how to use Illustrator to advanced tips that improve your brainstorming and designs, his step-by-step process on exporting logo files, how he markets himself and gets clients, etc.
The most interesting part, to me, was how he went from working full-time at an agency and freelancing in the evenings to slowly transitioning to full-time freelancing. Very relatable for anyone working at an agency that is worried about leaping into the unknown.
Company of One
If you’ve ever wondered if growing your business indefinitely is really the ideal (hint: he believes not) and how to run a company of just one person in a way that’s both profitable and fulfilling, then this book is for you.
Here are some great quotable quotes that I highlighted while reading it:
Your measuring stick for success doesn’t have to be growth…it can be something more personal - the quality of what you sell, employee happiness, customer happiness and retention, or even some greater purpose.
One of the biggest indicators of success [in business] is purpose.
We need to determine what “enough” is for our particular schedule and then ruthlessly stick to and defend that.
Where is your upper bound - the place where afterwards profit and pleasure have diminishing returns?
How can you make your existing business better rather than bigger?
Free Money
This has been a delightful read on pricing, covering how to figure out your ideal hourly rate (the midpoint between your Survival Rate and your Dream Rate), money mindsets and how to overcome unhelpful ones, and answers to commonly-asked pricing questions.
Some of my favorite takeaways:
Use a “Weirdly Precise” number rather than a rounded one (ie. $2,975 instead of $3,000). It subconsciously shows that you have a reason and strategy behind your price rather than just pulling a number out of a hat and praying, so clients are less likely to haggle or complain.
Whatever you were going to charge - add 20% for “Pessimism.” It’s better to over-estimate and have those extra phone calls, revisions, or client hand-holding covered. Then you’ll also have a buffer so that you can happily give clients that extra support without having to yell “scope” at little requests or feeling taken advantage of.
Clients aren’t just paying for your final result/product. Your price also includes other things that might be equally or even more valuable to them such as: not needing oversight, clear communication, meeting deadlines, personality and humor, a proven process, mitigation of risk, simplicity, quality, etc.
When someone asks you off the cuff what you charge, respond with “That depends, what would you like to see happen?”
The Go-Giver
The Go-Giver is a cute little book about the power of giving in achieving both financial success and a fulfilling life. It’s written in novel-format, following the main character on his quest to make a sale before Friday by getting advice from a wealthy older man.
Each day he learns a new lesson on “stratospheric success” though they surprise him by being not about cut-throat business techniques but rather things like even-steven is a “losing proposition,” and “your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.”
It comes to a sweet, fairytale-like conclusion where he surpasses his financial goals and becomes a better person as a direct effect of the choices he made while implementing his lessons he learned that week.
The Go-Giver has created a global movement of people whose lives have been profoundly impacted by the ideas inside and is definitely worth a read.