Reddit mentions: The best product management books

So it is the question of every start-up... every company. It's kinda industry specific, I recommend reading Purple Cow. To grow slowly, yeah, I mean pull out a few facebook ads, maybe some google ad words, local ads, etc. But to really get that first umph, would be "Growth Hacking." Which I know as, "getting to your first 500,000 customers." And that comes from being really unique, doing something really unique, where it just goes viral somehow. It's kinda a luck thing, with a splash of brilliance.

Photography is popular on Facebook, but also 500px, and I'm sure plenty of photography blogs, websites, etc. Blogs are a big boost if you are a good writer. Just be creative. If you follow the pack, you're not gonna be leading it anytime soon. People ignore, just every other photographer. My Dad was a professional photographer for 15 years, being on the cover of People magazine, etc. The reason I think he was successful, was because he did just one thing, celebrity weddings. If you're known for one thing in trades, that's where the money is. My mom spreads herself really thin, she is good at a lot of things, and not GREAT at one thing, and she sells herself as good at a lot of things... She isn't as successful (great mom though).

It's slow, and it really doesn't have to cost much. But for most of my stuff, I was really good at timing, and clever with referring the product (getting people to recommend my product).

Uber for example got popular because they got sued, and the publicity from the lawsuit got everyone to know about them... and it's kinda what they are doing now in every country. Not my recommendation.

Great photography, good luck. Always feel free to PM me.

http://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-Transform-Business-Remarkable/dp/159184021X

For copy:

"Learn More" is a terrible call to action. It makes it seem like the customer has to do something else. "Record Now" or "Tell Your Story" -- something that gets them excited to record a podcast would be better here.


Your second header

> We'll walk you through our process

Again, puts the customer as someone that has to learn something from you. Not you doing something for your customer. Then you mention clearing up bottlenecks in their process? If they have a process, why do they also need your process?

The first bit of copy after the hero image needs a line break:

> Whether you’re just starting out or already or have a full-fledged show developed, we have services that will fit your need. (line break) We’ll clear up any bottlenecks in your process and help you get back to podcasting about what you love most!

right now, There's a few words just hanging off on another line by itself, and it looks odd, IMO.

Couple of design things I would personally change.

At the top of the page, you have your business typed out. Then again at the top of the footer, but then a small logo in the bottom of the footer? I'd pick one of the two and try to stay consistent in the places people would typically see your branding. I like the logo, and would probably (sizing allowing) use that.

Your second parallax background image is a girl on a weight bench. Not sure how that relates to podcasting, might consider changing that!

"Ready to get started?" Is a terrible thing to put above your contact form. It gives the reader way too easy of an out. People will naturally make excuses not to start something new, especially if they've never done it before. They don't need you asking them to think about reasons not to start. Maybe something like:

> The World Needs to Hear You!

For all of your call to action buttons, they're black with white text. So is the rest of your website. They don't stand out, and they should. In your section with two buttons (one says "Click here to Learn More" and one says "Get In Touch Now") one of these should be a pop of color (Get in Touch), and the other should be a more muted version of it. I'd probably change the text to be more indicative of what it's doing "Learn More about the Process". You could probably even make this just a text link, and then have a single bright call to action button.

These are all IMO. Have you ever read "Building a Story Brand"? This website could use a little bit more focus on making your customer the hero of the story. Especially given the medium is all about them, anyway.

I have been learning about this myself for the past few years. I have no legal background at all, so take this advice with a grain of salt.

WARNING: there are many scam invention development companies out there. Do your research on this!

Roger Brown is a successful inventor that chooses to show his ideas to companies that will sign NDAs [non disclosure agreements]. YMMV.

Another good resource with a different approach is The Inventor's Bible

You need to read about a few different approaches and decide what you feel comfortable with.

First thing you should do is do a google patent search yourself before you spend a dime. I heard a patent attorney say this database is better than using the US gov database. Then find a reputable patent searcher, patent agent, or patent attorney [listed in order of how much you will likely pay] to search for you, because they will do a much better [but probably never perfect] search for you. Try not to pay more than a few hundred dollars for a search.

Like Lutusp is saying, most times you will find there is something else out there that is the same as your idea, but you never really know until you search. To add to that, just because you get granted a patent does not at all mean you will make money. You need to learn a bit about how to analyze whether your idea can even possibly make money before you spend any.

Read, read, read reputable sources and talk to successful inventors in your area in person. You may have an inventors group near by. Search on google. Some are better attended than others so you may need to go to a larger city.

Hope this helps. Inform yourself well and learn to evaluate your idea before you spend.

Make sure your site and message is clear and easy for people. Great book to read is here: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers-ebook/dp/B06XFJ2JGR

Not only with site copy, but will help with sales.

Learn about lead gen and using sequenced email to reach many clients on multiple touches. Good book to learn the basics here:

https://www.amazon.com/Predictable-Revenue-Business-Practices-Salesforce-com-ebook/dp/B005ERYEGU

Learning sales takes time and you will get better. Timing isn’t always right for your customers and it’s one of the hardest things to understand. Put yourself in their shoes. If you aren’t in the market for something you probably won’t buy.

People don’t like being sold on the first email. Start with trying to get them on the phone with you to chat about their site. Ask them questions about what they feel is missing. See what they need and find out if it’s even worth it pursuing them.

Also, I would focus on a specific group. Maybe contractors? Scrape emails and send outbound emails to get that discovery call.

EDIT
Become a Godaddy Reseller if you’re serious. This way you sell a bunch more than just web dev. You can sell SSL, hosting, etc. this will give you more value to your clients and get you more $$

You got this!

After taking a very quick breeze through your landing page overall I'd say simple and to the point which is great. I would say however I feel your landing page needs more of a kick. I feel you need something that grabs the users attention and says, "you need me now, and without me your f*c**d"

I'd recommend this book called building a story brand.

https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329

Good luck! Feel free to message me if you want to talk shop.

If you want books used in universities, for traditional marketing, i'd get any edition of Kotler's Principles of Marketing. Newer editions will have a bit of digital marketing in it. If you want a book on digital marketing, aimed at traditional marketers, i'd go for PR Smith's Emarketing Excellence. This second book would be easier if you've read the first though. If you want a book that's about the application of marketing to product development and commercialisation, i'd check out Marketing of high technology products and innovation, but again, this book would make more sense after the other two.


Some of these books are like 700 pages long, but don't be intimidated or whatever. What I found interesting about basic marketing is that we innately know a lot of it. Studying the material just allows you to formalise what you already know. So it's not like reading a 700 page book on economics or maths, you'd fly through it.


Pdfs of all of these books can be found with a little looking too, but I personally find it easier to have a physical book if i'm studying. Any college libraries will have these in their collection, and a lot of public libs too

Read this book https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540049636&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=story+brand&dpPl=1&dpID=41gwu0NcCrL&ref=plSrch

It goes into creating a story around a brand. If your website is just like every other site then there's no reason to buy from you. Focus on what makes you unique and your customer experience.

If you're selling on your website get your tracking system in place. Callrail.com for call tracking, Analytic goals and Google ads. It's much harder to setup that you would think and I think finding a good developer that is familiar with all the setup is important.

Have all your accounts setup under your name and add the developer as a manager (not admin). There is absolutely nothing worse that a developer relationship going sour and they're holding all the cards.

Check upworks.com for a designer. Look overseas to find good deals, ask for references and portfolios. Be specific on what you want so there's no feature creep on your website that ends up costing you more.

Don't pay your developer upfront except for a deposit. Final payment should be given when everything is completed.

I don't see any books here, so let me two of my favorites:

• Traction - Explains a process for finding the best marketing channels for your startup through experimentation.
  
  
• The Purple Cow - Explains the importance of remarkability

Here's a few I recommend:

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-22-Immutable-Laws-Marketing/dp/1861976100

The Strategy and Tactics of Pricing: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Strategy-Tactics-Pricing-Thomas-Nagle/dp/0136106811

[This one isn't technically a marketing book I guess, but it's a very (very!) good way to think about packaging and pricing. And I think marketing is one large component of that process and think it is a must-read.]

Purple Cow: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Purple-Cow-Transform-Business-Remarkable/dp/014101640X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

[This one is a lighter read but still a goodie]

Given that I am trying to bring the audience to speed quickly on something they would unfamiliar with, I would apply the principles outlined by something like Story Brand.

In the ad I would want to:

Identify how this product addresses a felt need, enables the person to achieve an aspirational perspective of themselves, concluding how your company could guide them and how your product accomplishes that goal. I think of the way apple interacted with the budding portable music player market.

A few marketing books:

extremely practical how to do stuff book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Strategic-Database-Marketing-Masterplan-Customer-Based/dp/0071773487/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411566902&sr=1-11

inspirational:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Purple-Cow-Transform-Business-Remarkable/dp/014101640X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411566950&sr=1-1&keywords=purple+cow

truthiness:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Brands-Grow-What-Marketers/dp/0195573560/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411566974&sr=1-1&keywords=how+brands+grow

The book "building a storybrand" really helped me when I was thinking of my brand and where I wanted to take my stream. I highly recommend this book. https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329

Podcasts:

• Online Marketing Made Easy
  
• Growth Marketing Toolbox
  
• Social Media Marketing
  
• Build Your Tribe
  
• Everyone Hates Marketers
  
• Pat Flynn Smart Passive Income
  
• Masters of Scale
  
• How I Built This
  
• Tim Ferriss
  
• Startup School with Seth Godin or Akimbo
  
• GaryVee Audio Experience
  
  Books:
  
  
• Anything by Seth Godin
  
• 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
  
• Blue Ocean Strategy
  
• Small Giants
  
• Crush It
  
• The Tipping Point
  

Could you please confirm with us if this is the book you’re talking about: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers-ebook/dp/B06XFJ2JGR

https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329

I’ve read a lot of B2B marketing books and this is a new one that stands out: Building a StoryBrand

May I also point you to Seth Godin and Purple Cow, plenty on Youtube from this guy too about marketing.

It's called "Building a Storybrand", my fault

https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329