My Top 5 Books on Business and Marketing (for Magicians)
You can find all of these books, except Highway to Success at any major retail or online book dealer. For Highway to Success, we suggest ordering from YouRMagic.com. If you want more in-depth training in business and marketing, I suggest checking out Get Your Career In Gear, an online course taught by Tobias Beckwith, manager of some of the world's most successful magicicans, including Jeff McBride and Marco Tempest.
The books are listed in no particular order. Each is on a different subject, so there was no way for me to realistically rate them.
Why Johnny Can't Brand
By Bill Schley & Carl Nichols, Jr.
Most books on branding are geared towards large companies. This one is applicable to everyone, especially entertainers.
The Wizard of Ads series
By Roy H. Williams
If you're wanting to write more effective copy for your website and print materials, these books are essential. I also suggest signing up for Roy's free Monday Morning Memo at http://www.mondaymorningmemo.com/.
Highway to Success
By Elliot Smith & Ian Quick
This book was written by magicians for magicians. A must-have for any professional entertainer.
The 4-Hour Workweek
By Timothy Ferriss
This book changed my life and all of my businesses. Learn to outsource all of the jobs you hate to do. Just the section on working Google AdWords is worth the price of the book.
The Art of the Start
By Guy Kawasaki
Most magicians mostly ignore the "business" side of show business. This book covers all of the necessary steps to create a real business, without all the fluff and jargon you find in most books on the subject.