12 Days of Christmas: Two PR Books You Must Read in 2018

On the second day of Christmas, Spin Sucks gave to you two PR books and one habit to change in 2018.

And with today’s things for the communicator, we have two PR books you absolutely have to read in 2018.

It’s only two. You can take six months with each one.

But they’re both must-reads if you want to push your career or business forward next year.

PR Books about PR

The first is Answers for Modern Communicators by Deirdre Breakenridge.

Hopefully, Deirdre is no stranger to you.

Not only is she a savvy communicator, a professor, an author, and a Lynda.com trainer, she is one of the nicest people on the face of this earth.

Deidre took years of questions clients and students asked that she’d written down in her journal.

She asked several of her friends and communicators (me included!) to answer a few of them.

Combined with her own answers, Answers for Modern Communicators is a textbook for both students and business professionals.

It provides practical answers to important career and communication questions, helping communicate successfully in a business setting.

Too Shy to Ask Questions?

Deirdre examines the ways we can make the most of our careers in this crazy media and digital landscape.

She offers advice on how all communicators—new and seasoned—can use and adapt to the latest trends.

Broken into eight areas, it opens with the essentials proven useful in any setting.

Then it details how organizations can adapt to changes in technology and consumer behavior to improve relationships, social media presence, and brand recognition.

The easy-to-follow question and answer format walks readers through the most pressing, confusing, and frequently asked questions about successful communication.

It also has plenty of advice and examples for a better learning experience.

It covers traditional business communication topics such as partnerships and storytelling.

Then it goes into digital and social media channels, as well as a chapter on giving back as a mentor.

“Experts Weigh In” boxes feature advice from other top professionals (including me!), exposing the reader to multiple perspectives from the field.

Grounded in decades of experience, Answers for Modern Communicators will benefit all communicators and business leaders looking to enhance their communication skills.

PR Books about Marketing and Sales

This past summer, a family friend was in town for business, and he stopped by for dinner.

We sat on the front porch and discussed work—as we do when friends visit—and he asked me if I’d read The Conversion Code.

I said I had not and he said he’d be interested in my take on it.

Grumbling internally that I did not want to read another business book, I faked it externally and told him I would.

It took me a couple of months to get to it, but holy cow am I glad I did!

Not only is it a great read, but it also provides years of tasks to do.

My team is sophisticated when it comes to all things digital, and it still gave us some things to add to our web presence.

Broken into three sections—generate, capture, and close news leads—it provides a sales script and powerful marketing templates.

And, if you think you’re not in sales, think again.

The Conversion Code will change your mind.

It will make you want to add sales to your repertoire.

And, if it’s not your thing to call leads, you’ll work with your existing sales team to get it done—or you’ll build a team to do it.

A Special Treat Later This Month

Today’s consumers are savvy, and they have more options than ever before.

Capturing their attention and turning it into revenue requires a whole new approach to marketing and sales.

The Conversion Code provides a step-by-step blueprint for increasing sales in the modern, Internet-driven era.

It provides guidance toward making sure all of the marketing leads are followed up with by sales.

This book shows you where to find your leads, how to engage them, and how to position your company as the ideal solution.

And, you’re in for a special treat later this month.

The December Fireside Chat is an interview with the book’s author, Chris Smith.

It airs at 1 p.m. EST on December 22.

I recorded it with him yesterday and, I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, you are in for a treat.

Make sure you tune in for that.

If you aren’t convinced by now to read this book, you will be after watching my interview with him.

PR Books You Recommend

We thought we’d be nice this year and make the book reading manageable.

We could have done 12 PR books for you to read!

With only these two, I guarantee you’ll find things you can add, tweak, or change for 2018.

So go forth and prosper!

Stay tuned the rest of this week for PR trends and gifts for the PR pro.

Next week we focus on the things that help the PR pro.

And the following week, the things that honor the PR pro.

In the meantime, what PR books do you recommend people read in 2018?

(Extra credit if you say Spin Sucks!)

The 30-Day Communications Challenge begins on January 3. Are you subscribed?