I’ve mentioned a few times lately that I’m building something. And that’s why I thought I’d share the best business books for beginners.

Original photo by Stephanie Harvey 

Even though I’ve been freelancing for the past ten years, I think it’s important to take some time to get back to basics. And if I’m going to structure this new venture of mine in a sustainable and profitable way, well, it’s a good plan to take advice where I can get it.

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Now, I’m not saying I’m a business guru. In fact, if you watch today’s YouTube video, you’re going to see me openly admit that I don’t understand spreadsheets or anything like that.

But I also know that I enjoy working for myself, and I love being paid for the skills I have. So I press on.

These best business books for beginners are a few suggestions for books that I believe will help you hone in on what it is you want to do, and create a work habit that jives with your particular ethos. So with that, let’s get into it!

(Psssst! You maybe also like these books for female entrepreneurs.)

The Best Business Books for Beginners

001: Body of Work: Finding the Thread that Ties Your Story Together by Pamela Slim

I’m slowly making my way through this book, and I love every word. If you’ve ever felt like maybe you don’t have a cohesive purpose in life or like you flit from one thing to the next, you don’t. There’s a reason for it all. And this book can help you put it all together to create a platform that works for you. The best part? You don’t have to give anything up, even if your college advisor or parents thought you should. This is a book for people who think big and want a career and business to match.

002: Primalbranding: Create Zealots for Your Brand, Your Company, and Your Future

Tim Schmoyer talked about this book during his session on growing a YouTube channel at Megaphone Summit this past weekend, so naturally I ordered it. While I haven’t read it yet, and I do know some basics about branding, the thing that stood out to me about this book is the formula for creating your brand. I think we all know we should be real and be our authentic selves online. But what ways do you need to do that in order to make sure it resonates with the right people? This book tells you exactly how.

003: Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing by Paul Jarvis

As a company of one, this book just makes sense to me. Also, it covers some things that are becoming more and more important to me as I move forward in my journey as entrepreneur. I’m not looking to build something that I sell off to a larger company, or to just make money on a per-gig basis. I’d like to build a sustainable business that enables me to live the life I want. And I feel like this book is going to give me the tips and tricks I need to do that.

004: Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear

The more I stay in this blogging/freelance writing/online content creation game, the more I can see how it’s habits that drive what I do as a business. So, it makes sense that working on the habits that will enable you to build a thriving company is what a good business foundation is made of. If you feel like you can’t do it all, and that you lack the motivation to make the hustle work, maybe it’s just because you’re going at building habits the wrong way. This book will help you fix that.

005: It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

It can feel like the only examples of business we see being praised are the bad ones. There are so many companies where the workers work so many hours every week, or the bosses demand too much. This isn’t how I want to build a business, and it’s absolutely not how I want to work. And it can sound like maybe I’m just being wishful here, but this book actually details how the authors created a calm work environment at their company. So if you find that you’re stuck believing in the hustle, maybe this is a book that can help you rethink the business environment.

006: Radical Candor: How to Be a Kick Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott

I don’t currently have any employees, nor do I ever plan to have any. But I am someone who works with clients and organizations as a consultant and freelancer. And I’m finding that I need to work more on speaking directly, but in a way that allows the other half of the conversation to feel appreciated and heard, as well as enables them to receive the prickly parts of feedback. This book was developed by a woman who worked in leadership at Apple and Google, and offers a system for giving feedback while also maintaining your humanity.

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What’s Your Favorite Beginner Business Book?

What have you read that changed the game for your business? What book gave you the right mindset to do the work you wanted to do? How do you find new business books? Let me know in the comments!