Open Thread: What Are Your Favorite Books About Freelancing?
Posted August 15, 2010 in Open Thread, Tools/Resources
Recently, Amber shared a list of 35 Books All Freelance Web Developers Should Read. Her list is a great resource for web developers.
In fact, I love to read. I always have a book that I’m in the middle of reading, or am about to read. Often, the books I read are about freelancing, but sometimes I just pick a book for fun.
However, Amber’s post got me wondering what books about freelancing our blog readers enjoy. If you had to name one or two freelancing books that have helped you the most, what would they be?
What Are Your Favorite Books About Freelancing?
Share your answer in the comments.
Tell us the name of your favorite freelancing books and explain what you liked about each book.
Image by austinevan
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- 35 Books All Freelance Web Developers Should Read
- Open Thread: How Long Have You Been Freelancing?
- Open Thread: How Do You Deal With the Paperwork? (Administrative Stuff)
About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts. Laura is also on Google+.
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40 Comments
The Freelance Geek
August 15th, 2010 at 9:43 amI suppose they’re not specifically about Freelancing but these have been a great help:
Seth Godin – Tribes
Seth Godin – The Dip
Makcolm Gladwell – The Tipping Point
Sandro Salsi
August 15th, 2010 at 9:57 am“The Unlimited Freelancer” – two hundred pages of in-depth explanations, valuable resources, and step-by-step how-to guides. :)
Heather Allard
August 15th, 2010 at 10:16 amI love “The Wealthy Freelancer” by Ed Gandia, Pete Savage & Steve Slaunwhite and “The Well-Fed Writer” by Peter Bowerman – both of these books offer real-world tips and advice and how to apply them to your business.
Heather
Ben
August 15th, 2010 at 10:39 am1) The Weathy Freelancer is good, there were things I benefit tremendously from http://thewealthyfreelancer.com
2) Clientophilic Freelancing too, talks about psychology and how to win clients when you’re in the trenches http://www.freelanceschool.com/clientophilic-freelancing
Susan
August 15th, 2010 at 11:28 amI’m actually reading The Wealthy Freelancer right now! However, my all-time favorite books on freelancing are by Michelle Goodman. My So-Called Freelance Life and The Anti 9 to 5 Guide rocked my world with their relatable examples and fun, friendly writing style.
Ruby on Rails Freelancing
August 15th, 2010 at 12:13 pmI continually keep up with programming books more that I do Freelancing type books. But then, freelancing as a developer is a little different in some respects as we continually have to keep up with the changes that occur in our fields.
I suppose the same is true for many other disciplines, but programming seems to be extra special in that the changes that come are continual. I can’t think of any other areas that are like that.
Nicole Foster
August 15th, 2010 at 12:34 pmHaven’t had the chance to read any freelancing books, but I would like to.
Anybody know of any good free freelancing books?
Tom Bentley
August 15th, 2010 at 2:15 pmNicole, check out Chris Guillebeau’s 279 Days to Overnight Success:
http://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/overnight-success/
It’s good, it’s free, and he’s a fine resource for freelance writing matters (and a world-wanderer’s perspective) in general.
Stephanie
August 15th, 2010 at 8:57 pmI only have three freelancing books and sadly they’re not really working for me. I’ve read the Unlimited Freelancer though and it’s a great e-book for freelancers who want to build their businesses effectively. :)
Thanks for the recommendations guys! Kudos to this open thread.
Tom Bentley
August 15th, 2010 at 9:25 pm(Thought occurring after original thought): It’s not solely focused on writing, but the insights, steps and sociable nudges to take action (and not to merely think about acting) provided in Jonathan Fields’ “Career Renegade” are pointedly applicable to freelance writers.
http://www.amazon.com/Career-Renegade-Great-Living-Doing/dp/0767927419
Anything Graphic
August 15th, 2010 at 10:33 pmFreelance: Design In Practice
This was the second book I’ve ready (first being The Unlimited Freelancer). It is similar, but goes really in depth and a lot of real-life stories on how to freelance in the real world. Very good book and I recommend both of them.
Next on my shelf is The Wealthy Freelancer.
Kayla
August 15th, 2010 at 10:47 pmI haven’t ready many so far…but I’m getting there! Just need some extra income to really start investing in books…
However, so far I’d say my favorite is The Wealthy Freelancer. I put off buying this book for awhile, for whatever reason, and I definitely regret it. The ideas in it I think are real, original, and honest. The book really inspires along with providing practical and usable information.
Bartosz Oczujda
August 16th, 2010 at 5:33 amInspired by Amber I made my own essential books list: “7 Books Every Freelance Designer Should Read Right Now!”
You can find it here:
http://pixelrockit.com/books-every-freelance-designer-should-read/
Rachel Small
August 16th, 2010 at 9:29 amI also loved My So-Called Freelance Life by Michelle Goodman. It’s packed with relevant advice!
Bakari
August 16th, 2010 at 3:58 pmGet a Freelance Life, by Margit Ragland
Getting Started as a Freelancer, Robert W. Bly
How To Start a Freelance Writing Business, by Laura Spencer
Each of these books has provided me some how-tos and tips for getting started. Of course, the challenge, for me anyway, is discovering a marketable niche and then getting out there and making contacts.
I also downloaded The Renegade Writer, by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell, Haven’t started reading it yet.
Linda Formichelli
August 16th, 2010 at 4:09 pmBakari, thanks for downloading The Renegade Writer! I hope you enjoy it.
For me, outside of my own freelancing books, of course, I like Six Figure Freelancer by Kelly James-Enger.
paul
August 17th, 2010 at 6:30 amI like “The unlimited Freelancer” of course ;)
The Principles of successful freelancing
Web Designer’s success guide – how to profit from freelance web design (kevin airgid)
Rework by Jason Fried
Ed Gandia
August 17th, 2010 at 8:01 amHeather, Ben, Susan, Anything Graphic, and Kayla…
Thank you so much for your comments on our book, “The Wealthy Freelancer.” For those of you who have read it, I hope you got great value from the ideas and strategies. For those just now about to read it, enjoy — and let me know what you think if you get a chance.
Have a great week everyone!
harly
August 17th, 2010 at 12:12 pmI know about The Wealthy Freelancer book.The Wealthy Freelancer is actually a collective work of three career copy-writing freelancers.
Bret Juliano
August 18th, 2010 at 4:24 pmI liked Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and Smashing WordPress by Smashing Magazine also helps a ton with learning wordpress development.
Prog4rammer Ala'a
August 18th, 2010 at 10:04 pm“The unlimited Freelancer” I Will start with this book soon it’s Very Good
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Anne Wollenberg
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:37 amAs a writer, I’d recommend The Renegade Writer, it’s great. Also liking the look of Creative Inc but have yet to get/read it.
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September 17th, 2010 at 6:29 amThe Wealthy Freelancer, is really good book for freelance.
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October 7th, 2010 at 3:50 pmi really liked this freelance . this is really a nice book for freelance.
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thanks
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October 13th, 2010 at 11:14 amHi
I found this site through search engines.
Favorite Books About Freelancing – Very interesting and useful topic.
The Wealthy Freelancer is extremely good book for freelancers. There are lots of things to learn.
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Shannon Palmer
October 17th, 2010 at 12:07 pmomg you like reading :O
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Sheila Gomes
May 30th, 2011 at 9:36 amAs a translator, I tend to read things in the field, such as:
How to succeed as a freelance translator, by Corinne McKay (whose second edition is coming out this July), with invaluable, down-to-earth, totally feasible info, which made me decide to take up the freelancing life;
But even for freelance colleagues in other areas I am sure this is more than worth reading:
Do the work, by Steven Pressfield, which helps establish the right mindset for you to go after what really counts, personally and professionally. It’s not a self-help or purely motivational thing, but it does help you see things in a different perspective, in a fun and very direct way, plus, it’s cheap (I got it in the promotional launch for free in my Kindle).
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