The most recommended books on customer success

Who picked these books? Meet our 22 experts.

22 authors created a book list connected to customer success, and here are their favorite customer success books.
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Book cover of Behind the Cloud: The Untold Story of How Salesforce.com Went from Idea to Billion-Dollar Company-And Revolutionized an Industry

Étienne Garbugli Author Of Lean B2B: Build Products Businesses Want

From my list on for B2B startup founders.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a 3-time B2B startup founder (Flagback, HireVoice, and Highlights). For my 2nd startup, HireVoice, we tried to use The Lean Startup methodology and struggled to get traction on the market. When we shut down the company, I knew I wanted to solve my own pain, and learn B2B. I spent the next 2 years speaking (and learning from) some of the most successful B2B founders in the world. This, eventually led to the publication of my book, Lean B2B. Since then, I’ve been at the forefront of B2B entrepreneurship. The Lean B2B methodology has now been used by thousands of entrepreneurs and innovators to help create successful businesses.

Étienne's book list on for B2B startup founders

Étienne Garbugli Why did Étienne love this book?

Marc Benioff, the founder of Salesforce, more or less wrote the playbook for B2B startups. In Behind the Cloud, he shares a lot of the tactics that helped make Salesforce the market leader that it is today. Benioff’s work helped shape Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and the Cloud for B2B entrepreneurs. On and all, it’s a very entertaining book with a lot of interesting ideas.

By Marc Benioff, Carlye Adler,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Behind the Cloud as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world's fastest growing software company in less than a decade? For the first time, Marc Benioff, the visionary founder, chairman and CEO of salesforce.com, tells how he and his team created and used new business, technology, and philanthropic models tailored to this time of extraordinary change. Showing how salesforce.com not only survived the dotcom implosion of 2001, but went on to define itself as the leader of the cloud computing revolution and spark a $46-billion dollar industry, Benioff's story will help business leaders and entrepreneurs stand…


Book cover of Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates

Steven Van Belleghem Author Of A diamond in the rough: Over a 100 specific tips to build a strong customer culture

From my list on From Steven's list on acheiving an awesome customer experience.

Why am I passionate about this?

Raised in a Belgian retail store, exceptional customer service was a daily conversation topic with my parents. This upbringing made customer experience a natural part of who I am. Realizing the rarity of such service in the broader world, I delved into studying consumer behavior and how companies can respond effectively. Now, I'm deeply involved in the customer experience field, having authored six books and co-founded Nexxworks, an inspiration agency. I share all my insights freely on social channels, driven by a life goal to help everyone become more customer-centric starting tomorrow.

Steven's book list on From Steven's list on acheiving an awesome customer experience

Steven Van Belleghem Why did Steven love this book?

Nearly every time I engage with a company, I sense that they're underestimating the impact of genuinely delighting their customers. Creating a genuinely positive and authentic atmosphere, and demonstrating sincere goodwill, is arguably the most effective business strategy in existence.

Brittany grasps this concept exceptionally well. Her book is brimming with compelling examples and highly practical advice, enabling anyone to start applying these concepts from tomorrow onward.

By Brittany Hodak,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Creating Superfans as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Superfans aren't just for pop stars and NBA teams.

What if your customers loved your brand the way Swifties love Taylor or Drake loves the Raptors?

In Creating Superfans, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and fan-engagement guru Brittany Hodak shares the proprietary five-step SUPER Fan System she developed running successful campaigns and products for globally known brands including Walmart, Disney, Amazon, Katy Perry, the Boston Red Sox, and more. With her trademark mix of humor and sharp business insights, she combines entertaining stories from her years of working with major stars like Dolly Parton and KISS with case studies of familiar brands…


Book cover of How Clients Buy: A Practical Guide to Business Development for Consulting and Professional Services

Richard Newton Author Of The Freelance Consultant: Your Comprehensive Guide to Starting an Independent Business

From my list on for freelance consultants and management consultants.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am one of those people who has several careers going on at once. I am widely known as a professional writer and have written 18 books, mostly professional and business books, but I have also written in the self-help genre and some fiction. In parallel with this, I am an independent consultant and have run my consultancy business Enixus Limited for almost 20 years helping large organisations worldwide with complex change programmes. Most of my business books weave together my love of writing with my professional interests and experiences.

Richard's book list on for freelance consultants and management consultants

Richard Newton Why did Richard love this book?

The part about consulting many people hate is the selling bit. Well what better way to go into a conversation in which you are trying to sell your services than with an understanding of the process clients go through to buy? This book provides a useful understanding of the client’s viewpoint of consulting. Although I think it is of best use to those in sales roles in larger consultants and professional services firms, there is also advice, or perhaps a way of thinking, that is useful to everyone from the biggest firm to that single freelance consultant.

By Tom McMakin, Doug Fletcher,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How Clients Buy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The real-world guide to selling your services and bringing in business

How Clients Buy is the much-needed guide to selling your services. If you're one of the millions of people whose skills are the 'product,' you know that you cannot be successful unless you bring in clients. The problem is, you're trained to do your job-not sell it. No matter how great you may be at your actual role, you likely feel a bit lost, hesitant, or 'behind' when it comes to courting clients, an unfamiliar territory where you're never quite sure of the line between under- and over-selling. This…


Book cover of Fanocracy: Turning Fans Into Customers and Customers Into Fans

Anne H. Janzer Author Of Subscription Marketing: Strategies for Nurturing Customers in a World of Churn

From my list on rethinking marketing.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an author, nonfiction writing geek, and marketing practitioner on a mission to help people make a positive impact with their writing. Before setting out on this path, I spent many years as a marketing consultant, working with over 100 technology companies to articulate their messaging and value to customers and prospects. My first book, Subscription Marketing, was my manifesto about the changes needed in marketing to thrive in the emerging, subscription-based world. It’s now in its third edition and has been translated into multiple languages.

Anne's book list on rethinking marketing

Anne H. Janzer Why did Anne love this book?

Want to create more raving fans for your business? Maybe true success isn’t in the number of your customers but the depth of their loyalty. David Meerman Scott writes this book together with his daughter Reiko Scott, delivering a multi-generational perspective into what it means to be a fan, and how to cultivate them.

By David Meerman Scott, Reiko Scott,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fanocracy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Wall Street Journal bestseller

From the author of New Rules of Marketing & PR, a bold guide to converting customer passion into marketing power.
 
How do some brands attract word-of-mouth buzz and radical devotion around products as everyday as car insurance, b2b software, and underwear? They embody the most powerful marketing force in the world: die-hard fans.
 
In this essential book, leading business growth strategist David Meerman Scott and fandom expert Reiko Scott explore the neuroscience of fandom and interview young entrepreneurs, veteran business owners, startup founders, nonprofits, and companies big and small to pinpoint which practices separate organizations…


Book cover of Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution: A Handbook for Entrepreneurs

Uri Adoni Author Of The Unstoppable Startup: Mastering Israel's Secret Rules of Chutzpah

From my list on startup entrepreneurs.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love innovation! In today’s world, a lot on the innovation is coming from startups who are challenging the status quo and the existing solutions, and trying to offer a new product or service. Being a venture capitalist for many years, I’ve seen thousands of motivated entrepreneurs as well as highly innovative startups, but unfortunately most of them fail. The books I recommend, all share advice from highly experienced and successful entrepreneurs, enabling new entrepreneurs to learn from their experience. These books are not theoretical ones but rather very practical, so any entrepreneur can adopt operational advice as well as an entrepreneurial mindset that has proven to lead to success. 

Uri's book list on startup entrepreneurs

Uri Adoni Why did Uri love this book?

Uri Levine is an amazing serial entrepreneur.

He founded numerous successful startups, and Waze is probably the most famous one. Uri shares his vast entrepreneurial experience, in a practical, straight forward and smart manner. He touches upon every aspect of building and running a startup - all the way from addressing the problem you want to solve, recruiting the right people, fund raising, scaling globally and more.  

By Uri Levine,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Unicorns—companies that reach a valuation of more than $1 billion—are rare. Uri Levine has built two.

And in Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution, he shows you just how he did it.

As the cofounder of Waze—the world’s leading commuting and navigation app with more than 700 million users to date, and which Google acquired in 2013 for $1.15 billion—Levine is committed to spreading entrepreneurial thinking so that other founders, managers, and employees in the tech space can build their own highly valued companies.
 
Levine offers an inside look at the creation and sale of Waze and…


Book cover of Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

Jose Ucar Author Of Global Influence: How business leaders can simplify, improve, and amplify their international impact

From my list on supercharging your communication skills.

Why am I passionate about this?

When I first started traveling at 16, I struggled. It's not always easy to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture, and build connections. But as I got more comfortable and confident navigating through my new environment, things started to improve. I know what it’s like to start from scratch, to move to a new country, to develop and use my communication skills to move up the business ladder. This is why I now use my experience to speak, train, and coach people from a variety of countries and cultures on how to become impactful communicators, and have written a book on the importance of global communication skills. 

Jose's book list on supercharging your communication skills

Jose Ucar Why did Jose love this book?

This book by Donald Miller has improved how I communicate with customers. By applying the seven universal storytelling elements Miller outlines, I've learned to convey my brand's message with unprecedented clarity and impact. This book has not only simplified my marketing approach but also made it infinitely more effective, helping me to truly connect with my audience and stand out in a crowded market.

Miller's framework is a game-changer, offering practical steps to transform any brand's messaging into something genuinely compelling. It is an indispensable resource for anyone aiming to improve their marketing and connect more deeply with their customers.

By Donald Miller,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Building a Storybrand as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

More than half-a-million business leaders have discovered the power of the StoryBrand Framework, created by New York Times bestselling author and marketing expert Donald Miller. And they are making millions.

If you use the wrong words to talk about your product, nobody will buy it. Marketers and business owners struggle to effectively connect with their customers, costing them and their companies millions in lost revenue.

In a world filled with constant, on-demand distractions, it has become near-impossible for business owners to effectively cut through the noise to reach their customers, something Donald Miller knows first-hand. In this book, he shares…


Book cover of Expert Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Converting Your Online Visitors Into Lifelong Customers

Havard Mela Author Of Digital Discipline: Choosing Life in the Digital Age of Excess

From Havard's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Entrepreneur Super reader Traveler Minimalist

Havard's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Havard Mela Why did Havard love this book?

This book is the best book I have read about online marketing. It changed my outlook on how to build a brand online, and I had numerous “Eureka!” moments throughout it.

Entrepreneurs like Russell Brunson or Alex Hermozi don’t write books to make money. They write books to market more expensive services. And, since they share so much value, some of their readers will buy more expensive products, which is the essential idea behind sales funnels.

Although it is very self-promotional, this book taught me invaluable lessons about how to sell your services and help people. After reading this book, I noticed that many brands I follow use strategies developed by Brunson to sell their products and build a following.

By Russell Brunson,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Expert Secrets as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Master the art of what to say in your funnels to convert your online visitors into lifelong customers in this updated edition from the $100M entrepreneur and co-founder of the software company ClickFunnels.

Your business is a calling. You've been called to serve a group of people with the products, services, and offers that you've created. The impact that the right message can have on someone at the right time in their life is immeasurable. Your message could help to save marriages, repair families, change someone's health, grow a company, or more. . . .

But only if you know…


Book cover of The Four Factors of Trust: How Organizations Can Earn Lifelong Loyalty

Eric J. McNulty Author Of You're It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When It Matters Most

From Eric's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Educator Birder Provocateur Wine guy

Eric's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Eric J. McNulty Why did Eric love this book?

Trust is central to my work in crisis leadership. Often, it is presented either in squishy conceptual platitudes or in highly prescriptive, technical terms. In this book, the authors combine extensive research data with an accessible framework that makes it easier to diagnose trust issues and begin to fix them.

The four factors are easy to grasp conceptually, and there is depth to explore in eachI now use this motif regularly in my teaching as the framework spurs great discussion and debate. 

By Amelia Dunlop, Ashley Reichheld,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Four Factors of Trust as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER

The essential, data-driven blueprint to build trust in your organization.

Did you know that trusted companies outperform their peers by up to 400%? That customers who trust a brand are 88% more likely to buy again? And that 79% of employees who trust their employer are more motivated to work (and less likely to leave)?

The importance of trust is at an all-time high-just as our inclination to trust is at an all-time low.

Building trust is your single greatest opportunity to create competitive advantage. With new data at its core,…


Book cover of Reality Check: How Immersive Technologies Can Transform Your Business

Leslie Shannon Author Of Interconnected Realities: How the Metaverse Will Transform Our Relationship with Technology Forever

From my list on when hot new technology meets reality.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m the Head of Trend and Innovation Scouting for Nokia, and I’ve been with the company since the glory days of Nokia mobile phone world dominance. I know first-hand what happens when a company focuses exclusively on the technology, not the humans that use it, and how quickly that can lead to disaster. One of the lessons that I see repeated continuously in the field of innovation is that a huge amount of attention gets paid to the new technology, and not nearly enough on how the technology will interact with our existing systems, beliefs, attitudes, and culture. Learning from the mistakes is the best way to make sure that the future doesn’t repeat them!

Leslie's book list on when hot new technology meets reality

Leslie Shannon Why did Leslie love this book?

Of all the books out there about the immersive technologies of virtual and augmented reality, Jeremy’s take on the subject is the one that looks the most closely at the security issues involved, especially when it comes to enterprise deployments. 

If you’re thinking about leveraging the awesome power of these technologies in your workplace, Jeremy’s hands-on discussion of to what to look for and what to avoid is an invaluable guide.

By Jeremy Dalton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Reality Check as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Discover THE next big competitive advantage in business: learn how augmented and virtual reality can put your business ahead. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are part of a new wave of immersive technologies that offer huge opportunities for businesses, across industries and regardless of their size. Most people think of AR or VR as a new development in video gaming like Pokemon GO, or an expensive marketing campaign by the Nikes of the world. The truth is, businesses of any size can put these new technologies to immediate use in areas that include: - Learning and development -…


Book cover of Content Inc.: Start a Content-First Business, Build a Massive Audience and Become Radically Successful

Anne H. Janzer Author Of Subscription Marketing: Strategies for Nurturing Customers in a World of Churn

From my list on rethinking marketing.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an author, nonfiction writing geek, and marketing practitioner on a mission to help people make a positive impact with their writing. Before setting out on this path, I spent many years as a marketing consultant, working with over 100 technology companies to articulate their messaging and value to customers and prospects. My first book, Subscription Marketing, was my manifesto about the changes needed in marketing to thrive in the emerging, subscription-based world. It’s now in its third edition and has been translated into multiple languages.

Anne's book list on rethinking marketing

Anne H. Janzer Why did Anne love this book?

In Content Inc, Joe Pulizzi makes a bold proposal: What if you build your business on content—before you sell anything? Start with content, build a community, figure out what people want, and then serve it to them. A company built this way will have a culture aligned with its customers’ values. Now in its second edition, this book will make you rethink content marketing and entrepreneurship.

By Joe Pulizzi,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Content Inc. as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Updated for the post-COVID economy! The proven low-risk, cost-effective way to launch a successful business

Today's markets are getting more and more dynamic, and customers are increasingly fickle. Meanwhile the COVID-driven economic crash has made mitigating financial risk more important than ever.

From one of today's leading experts in content marketing, Content Inc. is the go-to guide to building a solid small-business by establishing a loyal audience before you sell any products or services. In these pages, Joe Pulizzi provides a lower-risk, better way to build a successful business by re-engineering the process that so often leads to failure: You'll…