As certified bibliophiles, we’re always looking for our next inspiring read. At Echo’s Vancouver HQ, we have quite a collection of brand storytelling books for entrepreneurs and innovators, as well as hard advice on how to make your own story stand out. Here are some of our picks.
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Chip and Dan’s work was amongst the first to codify the concept of “stickiness”; that is, ideas that were literally unforgettable. With sensible advice applicable from angel funding to IPO, it is a crash course in effective communication. If you haven’t read this yet, start tonight.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
This book was the first of a new genre profiling entrepreneurs who were developing new ideas about how companies should run, how employees should work and what the ultimate purpose of business was. It’s also a damned good read.
Onward: How Starbucks Fought For Its Life Without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schultz & Joanne Gordon
Written by Starbucks’ CEO Howard Schultz, this is a compelling story of how even the world’s savviest brands can lose their way. Ultimately, one of the best quest narratives in business storytelling.
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX And The Quest For A Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance
Unless, of course, you woke up this morning and thought to yourself “I’m going to democratize space travel today”.
Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Others To Take Action by Simon Sinek
We’re sure you’ve all seen Sinek’s incredible TED talk on the power of why. Take it beyond the TED talk and dig more deeply into your company’s why. In the constant stream of fires that comes with bootstrapping your startup, it can be easy to lose sight of the why. Sinek will help you avoid that.
The Doodle Revolution by Sunni Brown
Not much of a reader? Don’t worry. Brown’s workbook on becoming a more creative thinker is all about the doing. By building your visual literacy, you’ll get access to storytelling tools that you didn’t learn in grade school.
All Marketers Are Liars: The Underground Classic That Explains How Marketing Really Works–and Why Authenticity Is the Best Marketing of All by Seth Godin
Many entrepreneurs don’t consider themselves marketers, but Godin’s call for authenticity and emotional connection makes this a brand storytelling book for entrepreneurs. You have a powerful story within you, and you have to market your company all the time: to investors, employees and maybe even your parents. You need to have the skills. This is a great place to start.
There they are! Seven reads to supersize your thinking and inspire you to keep growing. If you have any favourite reads, hit us up at hello@echostories.com or on Twitter, @echostories. We’ll definitely share our favourites!
If you were looking for more traditional memoirs, try our list here or here.
