The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5)

Good business books

Howdy, it's me again.

I've been reading quite a bit online about running my own small software business. I've read all of Joels articles, all of Eric Sinks MSDN articles plus his marketing for geeks, and almost all the dexterity.com articles.

I was wondering if anyones ever actually written a book about running their own small software business. I'd rather one specific to software, but if not anything about managing a business of one person (myself) would be great.

Thank!

Wants to be an ISV
Wednesday, March 31, 2004

I've used "Building A Successful Software Business" by Dave Radin to help guide me starting my own biz. It's a '94 title so the book misses on factoring the internet into your plans, but everything else is quite good (marketing's 4 P's, sales, organization, financials, etc).

Joe Hendricks
Wednesday, March 31, 2004

The Software Crook's Textbook and Reference by Hardin with foreword by Darth Vader: "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it further"

LOL!

MX
Wednesday, March 31, 2004

I firmly believe that if you can't sell, you shouldn't be self-employed. So, to add to my recommendation above I'd also include:

if you will sell mainly by phone:
"Ringing Up Sales"
( http://www.lrpdartnell.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/p-85010.html?L+scstore+gndo9239+1080774394 )

if you will mainly sell in person:
"Spin Selling Handbook"
( )

And yes, I've used both of them for years with success.

Joe Hendricks
Wednesday, March 31, 2004

(sorry, hit post before getting in SPin Selling Fieldbook link into post:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0070522359/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-4112230-3207950 )

Joe Hendricks
Wednesday, March 31, 2004