My Favorite Branding Books of 2021
Looking for some reads to add to your list for 2022? Here are a couple of my favorite reads from 2021. I won’t bore you with my entire reading list. No one has time for that. But here are three books to help you level up your business and brand.
A note: some of the links below are affiliate links, which means you get a great deal and I may receive a commission for your purchase. All the picks and recommendations are my own.
The Naming Book: 5 Steps to Creating Brand and Product Names that Sell by Brad Flowers
I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen some version of this post on a Facebook group, “I’m starting a {insert any industry here} business and need a name. Should I use my own name as a business name? Share some ideas or how you came up with your business name.” Hilarity, chaos, and crowd-sourced lousy advice to follow.
So, in my (very informal) research, one of the most DIYed parts of creating a brand is coming up with the name. A name is a significant and personal choice, but it also might be one of the most strategic decisions for your business. And it helps to have a process guiding you through it. This is why, when I’m not providing naming services to my clients, I recommend The Naming Book.
The Naming Book outlines a process for discovering or creating names that drive customer curiosity and memorability. If you can’t guess from the title, this blueprint is five steps and covers it all, from setting goals to trademarking your name. The format is a mix of education, anecdotes and workbook pages guiding you through it all. This book should definitely be on your bookshelf if you have a product-based business.
Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis
Do we have to scale to grow our businesses? This is one of the great debates of entrepreneurship. As you might know, I started Hidden Path Creative in 2020 as a side hustle and went full-time in the business in 2021. While I’m growing the business, I’m exploring the opportunities of scaling by adding services, products, and staff. Company of One is one of those books that has me questioning whether scaling for growth in my path to success.
Whether you are a solopreneur, a small business owner, or just thinking about building your own business, this book has something to offer. A great mix of actionable advice and anecdotes makes Company of One a quick read. It will leave you asking yourself, “what can I do to make my business better, instead of just bigger?”
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
Ever thought you might want to build a cult following for your brand? Then you have to read Cultish. Written by linguist Amanda Montell, this book breaks down how language, words, and copywriting create the fanatical belonging that elevates brands to cult status. To lay the groundwork, Montell starts by breaking down some of the most infamous cults of our time while relating their linguistic similarities to the likes of SoulCycle, social media influencers, and MLMs.
Instead of reading this, I listened to the audiobook. When I’m short on time or have too many books on my to-read list, I add an Audible book to my rotation. The narrator of this one read with feeling and kept my attention through a couple of weeks of dog walks.
Just remember, great power comes with great responsibility. If you build a cult following, treat your devotees well.
What book are you looking forward to reading?