Having spent part of my career in public relations, there are a handful of books on the subject that I feel every entrepreneur should read. Here’s a quick rundown on five of them:
“Communicating When Your Company is Under Siege: Surviving Public Crisis”
“Communicating When Your Company is Under Siege: Surviving a Public Crisis” by Marion K. Pinsdorf, should be at the top of every entrepreneur’s reading list. As a former public relations specialist, I found the book invaluable. The chapter on dealing with eruptive disasters helped guide me through one particular public relations crisis. The crisis involved a murder-suicide. What I learned in Pinsdorf’s book helped me to deliver news about that event in a timely, honest manner.
“How to Win Friends and Influence People”
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” may be old by today’s standards, but its age doesn’t diminish the power of Dale Carnegie’s message. I loved the entire book, especially parts one, three and four. I found those sections helpful during business negotiations as well as when managing my staff. The book won’t teach you all that you need to know about public relations but it will at least teach you how to improve your communication skills. It typically sells online for less than $10.
“Guerrilla PR Wired”
If you want to learn the fundamentals of grass roots public relations, Michael Levine’s book, “Guerrilla PR Wired,” is one tome that you should definitely invest in. I have read several of Levine’s books over the years including the orginal, “Guerrilla PR.” “Guerrilla PR Wired” is an updated version of that book and takes into account the internet and digital media. You can generally pick up a copy of the book online for around $16.
“The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference”
Malcom Gladwell’s book, “The Tipping Point” How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,” is also well worth a read. The book helps to explain fads, trends, the dissemination of information and why certain products go viral. It also stresses the importance of a message and the context in which it is presented. The book tends to sell through most book stores for $19.
“Confessions of an Advertising Man”
David Ogilvy’s, “Confessions of an Advertising Man,” is another book every entrepreneur should take the time to read. After all, who better to get business advice from than the father of advertising? Although the book is clearly advertising focused, the principles Ogilvy discusses throughout its pages are also applicable to public relations. Personally, I found the book’s lesson on copy writing helpful when writing press releases. In most instances, the book may be purchased online for around $17.
Killeen Gonzalez has a degree in marketing. She spent many years working in the tourism industry.
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