I work in the "idea business.
" My job is to help schools, businesses, and media come up with new ideas to write about, talk about, and develop.
Unfortunately, I generate very few ideas of my own.
That's why I rely on several of these books to help jump-start my brain waves.
1.
Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout - This is one of the best instruction books I've read concerning unforgettable messages, and how the human brain remembers them.
2.
Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy - This book by a famous adverting executive discusses marketing, advertising, TV commercials, and much more.
3.
Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati - This remarkable book discusses how many things were invented, and why.
4.
A Hog on Ice and Other Curious Expressions by Charles Earle Funk - This is a great place to read about "colorful phrases we all use.
" 5.
Dale Carnegie: The Man Who Influenced Millions by Giles Kemp and Edward Claflin tells the inspiring story of the author who wrote one of the best-selling books of all time: How to Win Friends and Influence People.
6.
The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People by David Niven, Ph.
D.
- This book provides lots of data from over 1,000 studies about success.
7.
Words That Stick by Rix Quinn - This is my own simple book on how to make an impact with short writing.
8.
Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples - This book is loaded with information on want kinds of headlines attract the most readers, how to write first paragraphs, and methods of writing copy.
9.
Free Publicity by Jeff Crilley - This edition by a working journalist offers tips on how to create ideas to get coverage, what to say during an interview, and how to hold a news conference.
10.
What Every American Should Know About American History by Dr.
Alan Axelrod and Charles Phillips - This wonderful volume discusses "200 events that shaped the nation.
"