11 books on design-it-yourself and marketing for first-time founders ⋅ EV #012

This week I'm at Berlin Blockchain Week, and I brought a giveaway for developers. It's a list of 11 books on DIY (design-it-yourself) and marketing for first-time founders who want to turn their idea into a go-to-market-ready product and give it a brand that wins the hearts and minds of early adopters.

Over my 15+ years in branding, I have read hundreds of books on this topic. Many of them just waste your time. Many are okay-ish but could be better. And some are radical game-changers — they give you tools, clarity, and confidence in getting your message out and getting more users.

One person at the conference described it nicely: "Oh, so you waded through all the mud and waters and handpicked some gold for us." Exactly!

I want to share this list with you today:

1. Beauty by Sagmeister & Walsh
   You'll learn how beauty impacts the way people feel about your project and influences their behaviour through aesthetics.
2. This Is Strategy by Seth Godin
   All the questions you need to answer and all the hidden pitfalls you need to know before launching your project on the market.
3. Obviously Awesome by April Dunford
   You'll learn how to get product positioning done so your product stands out, even if your market category has more than 300 alternatives launched already.
4. When Coffee and Kale Compete by Alan Klement
   Your competitors are not those whom you consider as competitors. The best book to learn how to understand what customers want and what they really need.
5. Sales Pitch by April Dunford
   After reading it you will nail your pitch deck and get more Yes!es than ever before. No storytelling. Just market research, empathy and a well-structured flow that anticipates key objections.
6. The Naming Book by Brad Flowers
   A 5-step workshop-like book that guides you through the most painful part of creating a project — giving it the RIGHT name.
7. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
   A #1 handbook for those who DIY their project's content marketing. You'll become a maestro of commercial copywriting — from social media posts to long-form articles and web copy. This is your copywriting right wing. Your copywriting left wing is…
8. Very Good Copy by Eddie Shleyner
   Shocking micro-lessons on how to write copy for your landing pages and promo campaigns that increase conversion. Pure gold.
9. Write Useful Books by Rob Fitzpatrick
   Everything you need to know about how to design, test, and refine nonfiction. Use it when writing e-books.
10. Discussing Design by Aaron Irizarry and Adam Connor
    If you struggle with communicating with your designer or agency, this book will save you a lot of time and money.
11. Branding for Nonprofits by DK Holland
    Frankly, the only branding book that's really worth recommending. (I read a ton of them!) It will guide you through the process when design by committee is impossible to avoid and when profit is not allowed to drive your company image.

And a bonus:

Embrace Variety Vol.01

Embrace Variety Vol.01 contains three guides about the core and often overlooked aspects of visual branding: personality, design taboos, and the North Star. It is for everyone who wants to give their brand an image that stands out, stands the time and resonates. And for those who want to take better control of the branding process.

Embrace Variety

Enjoy the reading!

Yours,
Ira