10+ Books Content Business Owners Should Read

Everybody Writes, and everybody hunts for ideal Content Chemistry to grow a successful business. The phrases in bold are the same-name books about content creation: Everybody Writes by Ann Handley and Content Chemistry by Andy Crestodina. They are the must-read books for content business owners. 

Now, you can add the following titles to your reading (or listening) list to help your content entrepreneurial journey. These also are absolute must-reads, according to entrepreneurs and content managers who have endorsed and reviewed them.

Peek into each and then scroll down to five more titles prepared for a book-thirsty content business founder.

1. Effective Copywriting Strategy for Money & Sales

Author: David Marcel

Main points: Let’s face it. Today, everybody is a writer. However, to generate revenue with content, it’s not enough just to write.

As an entrepreneur, you should write a persuasive text that coaxes a customer into buying from you or collaborating with you. This is the art of copywriting. It will take seventeen chapters to master this craft with David Marcel, and you’ll be well-prepared to go live with your killer copy. 

Reviewer Shawn Plummer, CEO at The Annuity Expert: “If you struggle to write copies that sell, learn from a professional copywriter or hire one. This book actually helps you do both. It’s one of the most valuable books for content creation business owners.

“What did I like the most about it? It starts with the terminology a beginner has to understand in copywriting. So, there’s no need to worry if you’re a complete noob in this matter.”

2. Creative Expression and the Law

Author: Nancy Whitmore

Main points: Do you create texts, images, videos, and other media items legally? Are you sure? Chapter by chapter (nine in total), Nancy Whitmore gives a detailed overview of what content creators should know to avoid legal trouble. She touches upon such topics as copyright and fair use in the digital age, trademarks, false advertising, and other legal fundamentals.

Reviewer Andrew Pierce, CEO at LLC Attorney: “This might sound over-exaggerating, but it is a must-have legal reference for content creators. It is also one of the best books every business owner should read to make legally compliant content.

“It’s written by a journalism professor for those taking the path of a professional content creator. Despite that, it reads like a universal guide for creative entrepreneurs who want to do content marketing legitimately.”

3. Your Content Rebellion: The Business Owner’s Guide to Creating a Content Strategy and Blog Plan They’ll Stick With

Author: Hailey Dale

Main points: Blood, sweat, and tears. Most likely, this is what takes you to write superb narratives for your blog or record short-form videos for your social media accounts.

Instead, you should construct your content empire on the foundation of passion, pleasure, and love, Hailey Dale says.

The author suggests igniting the change in two phases. The first is a theoretical and motivational stage. The second phase is an experimental laboratory where you test your skills in seven playshops:

• The “shoulds”
• Style
• Form
• Personality
• Topic
• Platform
• Process

Reviewer Kevin Le Gall, owner and lead editor at Climbing House: “When I was reading the intro to this book, the words ‘chronic content fatigue syndrome,’ ‘burned out,’ ‘hardly lights up,’ and ‘procrastinating’ took me aback. I thought, ‘Wait, it’s all about me!’ 

“But even if you don’t recognize yourself in these words, you should read this content creation book in any case. It will help you peel away your expectations about content, like every article should contain at least 1,000 words, your video should be perfect, etc. No! It shouldn’t! You won’t want to return to the ‘shoulds’ anymore after this book, trust me.”

4. The One Hour Content Plan: The Solopreneur’s Guide to a Year’s Worth of Blog Post Ideas in 60 Minutes and Creating Content That Hooks and Sells

Author: Meera Kothand

Main points: Let’s imagine that you’ve got an hour to come up with a content plan. What should you start with? Grab the answer and further guidelines on generating fresh content ideas and wrapping the perfect content package for business in the first five sections of the book.

In the last section, you’ll find the dos and don’ts of an editorial calendar and valuable resources like blog title generators, keyword research tools, etc.

Reviewer Max Wesman, COO of GoodHire: “Whether you’re a content business owner or marketer, this is the only content GPS you need. Guided by this book, you can develop a customer segmentation strategy and cater your text, video, audio, or image to the needs of different audiences. That’s what we did with our blog, dividing it into three separate sections for drivers, dispatchers, and recipients.”

5. The Content Marketing Handbook: How to Double the Results of Your Marketing Campaigns

Author: Robert W. Bly

Main points: Where would your content business be without content and marketing?

Part one reveals five Cs of compelling content. Part two focuses on content tactics, such as blog articles, reports, books, emails, case studies and reviews, podcasts, webinars, workshops, and more. The last two sections arm you with more tips and tools to convert content into sales.

Reviewer Jerry Han, CMO at PrizeRebel: “Back in 2020, this book on content creation and marketing taught our team how to promote our brand with downloadable lead generators and bonuses like guides, reports, white papers, or other content pieces like videos. For example, we generate more leads now after implementing video testimonials on the homepage.”

Bonus Reads: 5 more books for content and marketing

But don’t stop with those books. Continue your entrepreneurial reading adventure with these:

• Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi, founder of The Tilt, walks you through the business model for content businesses.
• Social Media Marketing Content Creation Essentials by Aron Bordelon makes social media and content marketing inseparable.
• Content Rules by Ann Handley and C. C. Chapman lets you become an expert in webinars, podcasts, videos, and other content types.
• Content Machine by Dan Norris helps you use high-quality content as the engine for your business machine.
• The Art Of YouTube Content Creation by Johnston Sellars teaches you how to build a YouTube content business.

Not the end

From copywriting techniques to legal aspects to promotional strategies, you are now “booked” for creating outstanding content and skyrocketing your business. Copy and save this list of the best books to help your content business, and make sure to leave space for upcoming titles and recommendations.