The 10 Best Blogger Must Read Books on Blogging

Blogging has a relatively low barrier to entry in terms of the competition as basically anyone who has access to a computer and the internet can start a blog.  However, to really excel as a blogger there is some serious strategy and though one should put into blogging.  These are 10 books every blogger should read to help them with some of the vital fundamentals such as content, website design, SEO, and social media.  I've also included a few books that share insights from some of the top bloggers out there.

ONE: Blogging is an amazing tool for all sorts of creatives to share their work, gain inspiration, and connect similar minded creatives among other things.  Blogging for Creatives is a wonderful book that provides easy to understand advice for creatives on how to start and grow a blog.  They also share inspiring success stories from other creatives who started their own blog.

TWO: SEO for Content Writers and PR Pros teaches you how to focus your content and your writing to garner the most traffic.  This book reviews everything from keyword searches to backlinks and beyond.  Admittedly this is one of my weak points and an area I am hoping to improve upon.

THREE: Ever wonder why you can stare at certain blogs or websites for hours, their content aside? Often a fabulous website design is to thank because the layout is aesthetically pleasing and intuitive for you to use.  Blog Design Solutions is a practical guide to website and blog design written by a team of web design experts who take you through the basics of a great blog layout.    

FOUR: In Blog, Inc. Joy Cho from Oh, Joy, probably one of the first blogs I ever started reading, gives what feels like her inside scoop and blogging secrets to you.  She shares information on everything from starting a blog, overcoming writer's block, blog finance, and how to grow a blogging community of readers.

FIVE: Born to Blog offers a practical step-by-step approach to building and growing a blog either for business or pleasure.  The authors also cover topics that apply to existing bloggers like asking if your content is speaking to your readers, have you strayed from your original purpose, how to retain current readers, etc...

SIX: Blogging Heroes: Interviews with 30 of the World's Top Bloggers is exactly what it sounds.  What is fascinating to me is that although not every blogger interviewed really relates to my content or interests, you really get a glimpse into the breadth of bloggers out there, what is within the realm of possibilities for bloggers (things you might not have ever thought about), and how some of the basics of blogging apply no matter your subject. 

SEVEN: This book, WordPress to Go, will get ANYONE, and I mean anyone on WordPress and guide you through the step-by-step process of starting a website on WordPress.  Highly recommended for anyone thinking of making the jump or wanting to even build a basic website.

EIGHT: The Elements of Content Strategy provides both experts and beginners overarching theory behind content strategy as well as the nuts and bolts of how to create fabulous content. Although the book is relatively short, it really focuses on the meat of how to approach content creation.

NINE:This book is a clearly written to guide to pretty much being awesome on all social media channels. What I love most about Likeable Social Media is that the author provide concrete examples of what works and what doesn't.  The author also comes at the topic of social media from how the user views what you are putting out there, not just as a content creator.

TEN: Stuck in a blogging rut? Not quite reaching your target audience? Content Rules discusses the art behind creating meaningful, relevant content to just about any subject. Highly recommended if you've been sitting in front of your editorial calendar with a blank stare.

What are your favorite blogger books?  Do you have any topics you'd like to be covered here?