The Break Room · Behind SideFrog
Stuff I Like
Books and podcasts I've actually read and listened to while figuring this out. I haven't tried everything, so if you've found something better, tell me.
A note from Frank
Reading about businesses is fine. Testing one is better. Pick one book, then go run a test.
01
Books worth a few evenings
- The Little Red Book of SellingJeffrey GitomerIf you've never sold anything, start here. Short, blunt and easy to finish.
- Fanatical ProspectingJeb BlountFinding customers is the part most side hustles skip. This makes it a habit.
- Getting to YesRoger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce PattonFor your first price conversation, without turning it into a hostage situation.
- How to Say ItRosalie MaggioGood when you know what you mean but can't find the words. Handy for that first cold email.
- The Bezos BlueprintCarmine GalloWhy Amazon writes things down before building them. Writing the one-page version of your idea first works the same way.
- Atomic HabitsJames ClearA side hustle is mostly small, boring things done every evening.
- MeditationsMarcus AureliusFor the week nobody signs up.
02
Podcasts I fall asleep to
- The Side Hustle ShowNick LoperReal people describing what they started and what it earns. The closest thing to a SideFrog podcast.
- Freakonomics RadioStephen J. DubnerIncentives explain why people buy, or don't.
- Hidden BrainShankar VedantamPeople are weird. Worth remembering before you guess what customers want.
- MarketplaceAmerican Public MediaTwenty-some minutes and you know enough about the economy to sound less surprised.
- PivotKara Swisher and Scott GallowayTech and business news, and two people disagreeing about it.
- Stuff You Should KnowJosh Clark and Chuck BryantA good break from thinking about your idea.
03
What you don't need yet
- A business courseIt can't tell you whether strangers will pay. A one-week test can.
- A custom logoYour first customers won't ask who designed it.
- Business cardsNobody you're testing with needs one.
- AdsWait until you know what to say. Free places where your buyers already talk teach you that.
- A second AI subscriptionOne is plenty to start.
- A company for each ideaTalk to an accountant once money starts coming in, not before.
Nobody paid to be here. If a link ever pays me, I'll say so next to the link.