Books about the internet and the web are notorious for having short shelf lives. With the field evolving so quickly, and print lead times being what they are (anywhere from nine to 18 months for dead-tree editions of nonfiction titles) it’s easy to see how some of these volumes could be outdated before the first copy hits the stores.
Fortunately, there are always titles that subvert the trend. A few have managed to stay relevant by combining current information with the kind of often-overlooked wisdom that always makes for good advice. It’s that type of knowledge that makes Dr. Spencer Johnson’s “Who Moved My Cheese” as important a book today as it was when it was published over two decades ago.
Here are three recent content marketing titles that offer fresh perspectives and information that will likely stand the test of time.
By Tanya Hall
It seems like everyone wants to write a book. Here’s a book that gives you current knowledge on how that is accomplished, in a straightforward “this-is-how-you-do-it” format.
Tanya has spent decades in the publishing industry, working with one of the most respected literary agents and many top nonfiction authors. An accomplished writer herself, Tanya’s had a front-row seat to the phenomenon of self-publishing and has taken a deep interest in a trend that she calls “hybrid publishing.”
Publishing a book is the most tried-and-true form of content marketing, and “Ideas, Influence, and Income” brings readers pointed, actionable information on the writing process, publishing options and resources, and the need for a marketing plan that will get your book in the hands of actual readers – all without making unrealistic promises or guarantees.
By W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
Reinvention: It’s a loaded term in marketing circles, and one that’s tossed around with abandon. “Shaking things up” is often excellent advice, but making effective repositioning changes to a brand’s marketing stance requires due diligence and a thorough understanding of current market conditions.
“Red oceans are highly-competitive, cutthroat markets – there’s blood in the water.”
“Blue Ocean Shift” endeavors to help marketers identify market conditions before they move off the mark. The book splits marketplaces into one of two types. Red oceans are highly competitive, cutthroat markets – there’s blood in the water – with conditions that lead to commodification, market share volatility, and razor-thin margins. Blue oceans are undiscovered markets, wide open with deep reservoirs of opportunity.Chances are you can already figure out in which ocean you’d rather be. “Blue Ocean Shift” gives you comprehensive advice about how to make the switch to a more stable and productive competitive environment.
By Jay Acunzo
In the Information Age, everyone’s an expert. It certainly seems that way. Everywhere you look, someone is pushing their set of “best practices” or their “______ method.” Aren’t those just fancy ways of saying “This is the way we’ve always done it” or “Do it my way?”
Maybe we need to trust our own experience and knowledge. Go with your gut and try something new occasionally.
Jay Acunzo has been bucking convention for years. If you’ve ever caught his podcast or seen him speak, you know he doesn’t have much respect for “the status quo” or “the old reliable.” The first assumes a non-existent state of stasis where what is will, therefore, continue to be – as if – and the second is just a lame way of saying, “Whatever you do, don’t try anything new!” He continually challenges the reader to trust their intuition and take a chance on something new, to dare to strike out and find new ground.
“Break the Wheel” brims with Acunzo’s dry sense of humor, and it makes for a fun yet worthwhile read. If only all business books could be this way.
In today’s increasingly digital literary world, you might be tempted to think that “bookshelf remorse” (that sinking feeling one feels when encountering a book in your library that hasn’t aged well) might be a thing of the past. Of course, if you encounter “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus” in your Kindle library, you may beg to differ. Here’s to three books that won’t bring that feeling on.