As busy as I get, I always take time to read business books, especially in the summer. I’m a firm believer that leaders are readers and as an entrepreneur, you’ve got to keep on learning to hold onto your competitive edge. So if you schedule some down time, that really is for relaxing, but when you comeback recharged looking for a new way to approach a business issue. Here are a few of the books that I believe are worth a read this summer.

Heart and Sell: 10 Universal Truths Every Salesperson Needs to Know by Shari Levitin

I don’t care who you are or what you do: you need to know how to sell. Many entrepreneurs don’t consider themselves salespeople when they should. Levitin’s book introduces emotional selling strategies that will help you leverage what your audience is feeling to get more sales. It’s not about the close, it’s about the connection.

How to Write Copy That Sells: The Step-By-Step System for More Sales, to More Customers, More Often by Ray Edwards

Another skill we business owners could all stand to brush up on is copywriting. Even if you hire a copywriter, it’s important to understand how good writing works and be able to use it. Ray Edwards’ book will help you improve your web copy, email copy, social media posts, sales pages, and more. He covers common copywriting mistakes as well as provides simple techniques to instantly beef up your copy.

More Sales, Less Time: Surprisingly Simple Strategies for Today’s Crazy-Busy Sellers by Jill Konrath

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for selling more, says Jill Konrath. She says the key is in being as productive as possible. In her book, More Sales, Less Time she helps business owners and salespeople reclaim more time so they can focus on more important sales-directed activities. She also aids in optimizing the sales process so you’re not wasting time and able to sell more.

Passive Income: Incredible Ideas of How to Make Money While You Sleep, Part Three & Four by George Whittaker

This is part of a series of books on building passive income, all of which provide useful tips to make money while you sleep, as the title says. In this particular book, Whittaker covers affiliate marketing, informational products, peer-to-peer lending, and mobile apps as potential tools for passive income. If you are looking for an additional stream of income, this is an invaluable resource.

How to Be a Power Connector: The 5+50+100 Rule for Turning Your Business Network into Profits by Judy Robinett

I love this book. Your business network is your net worth. If nurtured the right way, your network has the potential to help you continually find new customers, business partners, and business opportunities. Judy Robinett teaches you how to strategize your business relationships to get the most out of what she calls your “power grid.” In this book, you’ll learn how to quickly find the contact information of influential people, meet the movers and shakers, and get more out of your social media networks.

Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards

I have a theme going here’s another pick on this reading list that deals with networking.  This book by Vanessa Van Edwards gets more into the science of people, which helps you better understand what people are thinking. What a valuable tool in a sales meeting or networking event! Her tips will help you have the confidence to talk to anyone, as well as be able to read people’s faces to better gauge their thoughts.

Successful Women Speak Differently: 9 Habits That Build Confidence, Courage, and Influence by Valorie Burton

Confidence is such a huge part of being a successful entrepreneur, and I enjoy reading books that remind business owners of how strong they can be. Valorie Burton will help you rewire your brain to keep it from being critical, teach you to make small tweaks to boost confidence, and communicate more clearly to get what you want.

She Means Business: Turn Your Ideas into Reality and Become a Wildly Successful Entrepreneur by Carrie Green

Starting a business isn’t easy. If you don’t have business experience, it can be challenging to know where to begin. Author Carrie Green wants to help. I really enjoyed this book because it’s written in a down to earth, easy to understand, easy to relate to style. She gives sound advice and is truly an inspiration. Her personal anecdotes from her own experience really make this book special. By the way, both men and women can get a lot out of this book.

The Power of Positive Leadership: How and Why Positive Leaders Transform Teams and Organizations and Change the World by Jon Gordon  

It can be challenging to stay positive when things go off the rails. As the leader of your team, your negativity can bring others down, which is why positive leadership is so key. Jon Gordon provides tips to help you build a great business culture and create a cohesive team. Many entrepreneurs never take the time to develop their leadership skills, which is why I always recommend leadership books like this one.

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek

Having a team that works together harmoniously may be something that you struggle with. If so, this book is for you. Sinek found the secret to why some teams work better together than others: the leaders put themselves last, behind the team, to ensure the greater good for all. Sinek uses anecdotes from the military, government, banking, and big businesses to show how you can be a better leader to get a better team.

Well that’s my list for this summer of 2017! I’ll hope you’ll stay busy diving into these gems.

What’s on your reading list this summer?