How Many Blogs Equal One Business Book? Blogs vs Books
I’ve been working on a new project (which is why it’s been quiet here lately), which involves reading lots!! of business books. I always enjoy the research process both online and offline, but have found reading real books a relaxing more focused approach for what I need right now.
I love the tangents the internet takes me along, but sometimes I just need more structured, in depth information on the one topic in the one place.
Blogs vs Books - I’d like to share some snippets of conversation of this from other bloggers.
David Zinger at Slacker Manager urges us to read at least one book this (Northern Hemisphere) Summer. David shares the results of an American Booksellers Assocation report which says
the average business person with 6 or more direct reports above the age 40 reads .7 business books every 5 years!
Robin Capper, a commenter on David’s post says
Yikes! How many blogs equal a book? I do read both but blogs are getting more of my attention these days.
David responds
Blogs are nice and bite size so that seems darn good to me.
I like “bite size” as a description of how blogs serve up information.
DISCUSSION STARTERS
- Do you find you read less business books these days or how do you manage the web info, book info mix?
- Tell us about your must read business books, and why we should read them too.
- Let’s talk books vs blogs, books and blogs, books or blogs or books plus blogs plus whatever else.
And of course, as always, throw your own writing, blogging and business related topics into the mix too.
I liked the “Bite Size” description too as you tend to “snack” on blogs. I learn a lot from blogs and read many, maybe too many, but still regard a good book more akin to a gourmet meal in comparison.
They are something to savour but I’m probably reading less of them. It not bad as in total I’m reading more much more.
PS: Thanks for the link, which is how I found your post.
Hi Yvonne
I have to confess I’m not a big fan of business books. Too much force feeding of management and leadership theory when I was working in the public sector I think - still recovering
I do try and read books on writing, creativity and coaching - though I do have a bit of a low boredom threshold and have given up on as many as I’ve started. I think reading a lot of blogs does make that tendency worse - reduces the attention span.
The business type books I have read and enjoyed recently are some of Seth Godin’s work. I like the fact they’re short, bite sized, well-written and easy to read as well as containing good ideas.
Something for me to model my next writing project on
Joanna
Joanna Young’s last blog post..A Celebration of Independence
PS Meant to mention this before - I’ve been a bit thrown recently by the submit / reset button under your comments - last time I wiped a really long comment by hitting reset by mistake. Normally it’s post or preview which is safe either way - is there a reason to have reset there?
Joanna
Joanna Young’s last blog post..A Celebration of Independence
Hi Yvonne, Yes, I read business books, mainly on advertising, Web marketing, and management, and offer my favorites in the Word Sell bookstore. I read 1-2 books a month, and follow 50+ blogs daily. The problem with books about online marketing is they become outdated very quickly. But in general, a good business book provides an enormous amount of detail, facts, insight, and completely fleshed out arguments and perspective. My recent favorites include the recently released “Groundswell”, David Meerman Scott’s “The New Rules of Marketing and PR”, and Larry Weber’s “Marketing to the Social Web”. Another book that I imagine any writer, graphic designer, or marketer would find fascinating is “Ogilvy on Advertising”.
Brad Shorr’s last blog post..Happy Birthday
Hi Robin
Welcome to Grow Your Writing Business. I like the snack/gourmet meal comparison. Using both in combination seems to be a good mix.
Hi Joanna
I guess I used the term “business books” loosely, as I would include books on writing, creativity and coaching in there.
Interesting that our reading habits change with the internet. Writing a book “bite size” sounds like a good compromise.
I notice that about attention span too, so like books I can dip into, rather than having to read cover to cover.
Which Seth Godin book do you recommend I start with? I haven’t read any of his yet.
Hi Joanna
I’m checking about the Reset button to that to see if anything can be done. Thanks for passing on your feedback… much appreciated.
Hi Brad
Business books do become outdated especially those in the online area.
David Meerman’s New Rules of Marketing & PR is one of my favorites, along with Made To Stick and Become A Recognized Authority In Your Field In 60 Days Or Less. Thanks for your recommendations, Brad. I’ll check those out.
I’ve recently read and reviewed Peter Bowerman’s Well Fed Publisher, and can recommend that one too. Writing wise, I’m reading Courage To Write and also Write It Down Make It Happen.
Creativity wise, I like the SARK books for some creative sparks and lateral thinking.
I’m more apt to read blogs and online articles than business books, primarily because it’s hard for me to read print. When I read books, they’re e-books, and a lot of books I might like to read aren’t available in e.
Lillie Ammann’s last blog post..In Honor of Our Military Troops on Independence Day
Hi Lillie
You raise an interesting point… a good reminder for authors to consider offering their books in more than one format.
I don’t think it will be too long, before it will become standard that all print books will also be available as ebooks. I notice publishers claiming those rights when they sign authors, so they obviously have an eye on the future, or are at least, hedging their bets.
Have you tried the Amazon Kindle or heard any reports on it?
Yvonne,
I haven’t tried the Kindle. I’m using the eBookWise reader, which I like but it’s getting harder to reader the largest type size.
I did write a post on the Kindle based on information I gathered from a number of sources: What Will the Kindle Do for the E-Publishing Industry?. Since that post, I’ve read a lot more about it.
Joe Wikert’s Publishing 2020 Blog had an interesting article on the Kindle yesterday and Teleread posts frequent updates on the Kindle.
Lillie Ammann’s last blog post..In Honor of Our Military Troops on Independence Day
A couple of links didn’t get through in my previous comment:
Joe Wikert’s Publishing 2020 Blog
Teleread
Lillie Ammann’s last blog post..In Honor of Our Military Troops on Independence Day
Yvonne, so far I’ve read “The Dip” and “Purple Cow”. Both are interesting and challenging - while still being ‘easy’ to read. “Meatball Sundae” is next on the Seth list for me
Joanna
Joanna Young’s last blog post..A Celebration of Independence
Hi Yvonne, I do enjoy reading business books for the in depth information they provide and they’re much easier to reference. I define “business” as those books that we read related to our profession. I read books on Sales, Marketing, and Resume Writing the most but also enjoy other topic areas. I also read a lot of running books. I used to read 1-2 books per week but now finding myself grouping lots of reading into slower periods. I also re-read old favorites like Sun Tzu, The Art of War. One of my recent favorites is Stephen King On Writing. Great book and easy read (hat tip to Joanna Young for recommending).
Oh, I have no problem reading books, but business books… it really depends on the author. If they read like text books or they’re just rehashing the same old stuff, it can be a pain to get through them, especially when they’re in audiobook form (I like to download nonfiction for car trips and dog walks). I think bite-sized blog entries are easier to digest, and they can give you an idea of whether you’ll be a fan of the writer’s style and what they have to say. So maybe, read the blog first, and then the book, if there is one.
As far as must-read business books… I’d say E-myth and Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. I had no trouble finishing either!
Lindsay’s last blog post..Get Paid Once for Your Writing or Get Paid Again and Again?
I’m an eBay seller with a small mail order company as well. I actually think I read MORE business books because of the blog posts I read. Book recommendations I never would have come across if not for bloggers.
The blog posts get me interested in a topic (branding, marketing, e-commerce, product development, etc) and then I want to know more, comprehensively, about it, so I turn to a book.
But like other commenters have said, Internet related books get outdated very quickly.
I probably read 4-5 business books per month. I keep one in the bathroom (sorry for too-much-info), and set aside one afternoon a week (when my teenager isn’t home, phone is unplugged, etc) to read an entire book.
I’ll admit to skipping some of the boring parts of books. I worry my attention span has been ruined by my Internet viewing habits, reading just tiny bits here and there and skipping on to the next thing.
Hi Lillie
Thanks for the info on the Kindle. Some people swear by it, and others not so keen. As with any new technology innovation, I daresay that changes will be ongoing and rapid.
TV series are now not only dated by the clothes and cars, but by the size of the computers and mobile phones (cell phones).:)
Hi Joanna
I hadn’t thought about Seth Godin’s books all being “bite sized” before. As you say, maybe there is a lesson there for those of us writing books.
The downside is I’m reluctant to pay a lot for a new release hardback which is only a “few” pages long… perceived value. I know the value is in the content, but still…
I guess some authors who have a name can write as long (or as short) as they like.
Hi Karen
I have Stephen King’s book too… a great one to have for any writer. I refer to some books all the time. I have the Art of War… must look at it again.
Thanks for your insights Karen.
Hi Lindsay
Interesting to hear your recommendation for The Pyschology of Persuasion. I’ve been reading a few reviews on that lately, and it’s on my list to buy.
Sampling the writer’s style is a good idea. I also do the reverse… get hooked on the writer (like David Meerman Scott with New Rules of Marketing & PR) and visit the blog.
I agree that some books, including (and sometimes especially) by big name authors are just a rehash of old ideas. Worse still when it’s a rehash of their own old ideas from a previous books they’ve written and billed as a new book.
Hi Carrie
I had to chuckle when you said you skipped the “boring” bits… me too!
But that’s the beauty of a non fiction book - you can just dip into it, or just read the parts that interest you or are relevant.
Which business books do you list as “must reads”?
Other than The Long Tail, the “must reads” list changes so much because the books get outdated.
Currently reading “The Soccer Mom Myth” about marketing to women.. I fear the ideas in it will be outdated in a year or two as well, but enjoying it now.
Jul 6th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
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