I give a warning . . .   Even with these very reputable sources when you get hooked up with their ongoing emails you will get bombarded with this offer and that.  They are legitimate and they are very good, but no way do you need everything that will come your way.  Pick and choose wisely.  Study them out.  Purchase only things that you need and will use.  Start with the recommended items, you do need them.  Get other things that will solve problems as they come along.  Get others as you grow.

Do not let the fear of losing the chance to get it drive you to buying things you do not need.  Sooner or later it will re-surface or something else will be available.  You can learn much from these additional sources, but you cannot spend yourself rich buying things you don't need, won't use, or can't afford.  There will be plenty of good things you will want over time, however, even if I get a commission, I don't want you buying things you shouldn't buy.  If, for some reason you end up with something that is not right for you, send it back.  These people all stand behind their products and they all want to keep you as a customer so they will treat you right.

My Recommendations . . . 

Links for all the recommended web sites will be along the right side of this section.  The must have items will be direct links in the text.  The links will be in blue.  Most of them do not focus on home based businesses, but the principles are the same.  When ordering from Amazon if you get the three books in one order the shipping is usually free.  These carefully selected books and courses provide the best money making information I know of.  They have helped others earn millions.

The Basics - General Study

The Sure-Hit Home Business Guide by J.R. Flamm  
This guide is designed to teach basic home based business principles that will serve as a strong foundation for any business.  Lack of a good foundation is one of the main causes of failure.  Don't risk it.  Get this home business guide first.  It is a work book to help you lay out your business plan in a way that will help you achieve your personal goals through your home business. There is no other book like it and nothing will do more for the money to help you get on the right road to home business success.  I wrote the guide and I personally guarantee it.  This  guide sets the stage.  Do not start without it.  The other recommendations complete the foundation.   After completing this short course you can go on to build your home based business as big as you want.   

NO B.S. BUSINESS SUCCESS by DanKennedy
This book is just what the title says.  It is the harsh reality of business principles that we all need to understand.  Dan brings it straight from the shoulder as only Dan can.  Some have a problem with his direct approach, but if he affects you that way, put it aside and pay attention.  He is right on target. 

Marketing

Breakthough Advertising by Eugene M. Schwartz
The late Eugene Schwartz was the master of direct marketing.  Most of today's most successful copyrighters have either learned from him or from one of his students.  Many who have benefited greatly from this book are not advertising people or copyrighters, yet the concepts have helped them accumulate fortunes. It can do the same for your home business.

The book is not easy reading. I had to read it twice and then I outlined it as I carefully went through it the third time.  It was well worth the effort.  I still use that outline to judge any of my marketing efforts.  This is absolutely required reading.  If I could only have one advertising and copyrighting book this would be it.    

SELLING THE INVISIBLE by Harry Beckwith
It is easy to read and very powerful.  It has many proven, but consistently overlooked ideas for research, presentation, publicity, advertising, and customer retention.

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ADVERTISEMENT  By Victor O. Schwab
Round out your marketing education with this short course on writing a good ad and you will be on your way to success. 

The Sure Hit Home Business is great for anyone who owns or is thinking of starting a home business. It covers everything from how to build a solid foundation to helping chart your complete business plan. Being a young entrepreneur I have read a lot of home business guides. This one is by far the best. I learned the home business success principles that are absolutely essential for any home businesses success. Never before has there been a home based business guide this easy to read and understand that covers this much information. It really is a complete guide to running a successful home business. I apply lessons learned from the Sure-Hit Home Business Guide every day in my own home based business. If you want to be your own boss and work from home This Guide will show you how to make money from home with any small business.
CEO Seattle Digital Marketing

These three books can give you more insight to marketing and advertising than anything I know of.  Be sure to get all three.  Start with Breakthrough Advertising.  None of them are written specifically for home based businesses, but once again the principles will be the same, business is business.

There are two classic audio programs from Nightingale-Conant that everyone should have.  They are both commonly found in the libraries of the wealthy. 

Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale.  Hundreds of thousands have benefited from this program, including top executives of many of the nation's leading companies.  A time tested classic and as applilcable to home business as it is to big business.

Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill.  Mr. Hill interviewed the 500 top industrial leaders to discover the secrets that helped each of them rise to the top of their industries.  He passes these secrets on to you. 

Internet Marketing

Internet Marketing Center.  This is a great all around source to learn about internet marketing.  They are well balanced in what they offer and they teach from highly successful experiences in the internet arena.  I feel this internet marketing company gives a lot for the money.  Internet marketing is a natural for a home based business.  This company is great for marketing products on the internet.  

If you do not have at least some computer and internet skills I suggest the Warp Speed Wealth Course.  If you know your way around the computer pretty well go with The Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet (IMC Course).  They are very similar, but the IMC course is more advanced.  They both cost the same.  You do not need both.  

If you are going to market information (how to do things) on the internet I will have other resources for you shortly.  There are differences in marketing products and marketing information.  For now send me an email if you are interested in information marketing.

Very Worthwhile Freebies

Here is the deal on the freebies.  They will give you very good information and guidance.  Try them all and stay with those that fit what you are doing.  The reason they are free is that those who provide this free information now have your attention.  They will market their other products and services by way of having your email address.  All of them will be very quick to stop corresponding if you simply opt out.  You be the judge after you try them a while.  Remember my warning.

The most incredible free gift ever!
Dan Kennedy is so bold in his belief that his teachings will have immearsurable value to you that he offers hundreds of dollars in free material just to get you hooked.   Here is how it works.  You pay shipping and handling of $19.95 and you get the free items including a three month trial subscription to his newsletter.  If after the trial you don't feel you want to pay for it just cancel your subscription.  He is betting you will not want to be without it.  The freebies cover learning to master confidence, power, and action as well as marketing tips and internet marketing.  Check out the full details by clicking the blue link above.  I have personally met several people who Dan has helped become millionaires.

Motivational Quote of the Day
A great way to start your day.  Available from Nightingale-Conant.  There are several free services they offer.  The link will let you choose any or all of them.  The reason they do this is because they want to be on your mind in case you want to purchase any of their other programs.  It is a win-win deal. Of course you can opt out of either of these at any time.

Legal Matters

I started getting books from Nolo Press years ago.  They continue to be on the leading edge of legal information for reference or for those who want to do it themselves.  They publish the Legal Guide for Starting and Running a Small Business.  Nolo also has books and services relating to patents, copyright, and other legal business matters.  Get these books and services through this link as you need them.

Other Good Books

These can be found at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Amazon typically has the best prices.
Go to Selling the Invisible link to access Amazon. 

Psycho-Cybernetics . . . by Dr. Maxwell Maltz . . .
For self confidence and personal motivation.  This book has stood the test of time is still helping people by the thousands.

Before I read the Sure Hit Home Business Guide I really did feel lost. I had never owned a home business before. It was really great to have this extremely thorough and easy to read complete home based business guide. More than anything else it has been a self-check tool. I am able to check the guide no matter were I am at and make sure I am on the right track. Investing in the Sure-Hit Home Business Guide was the best thing that I could have ever done for my home based business. I was able to get 38 years of experience in one easy to understand home based business guide. It shows home businesses successes and failures first hand as they actually happened. It is like having your own coach who knows exactly what it takes to have work from home business successes with you every step of the way. I would recommend the Sure Hit-Home Business Guide to anyone who owns a home business or is thinking of staring a home based business.
Co Owner Easyplacetoshop

The Guerilla Marketing Series . . . by Jay Conrad Levinson . . . 
For additional low cost marketing ideas. This too, has been around for years.  It continues to be updated and revised for today's marketplace.  This will not replace the three marketing books listed earlier.   Pick one or two of these books that best fit your business.  You do not need them all.

If you still want more on marketing and advertising anything by David Ogilvy or Joseph Sugarman will be good.  Ogilvy's Classic is Ogilvy on Advertising and Sugarman's is Advertising Secrets of the Written Word.