SHS031: 5 Books Every Freelancer Must Read Before Going Full-Time (Lead Generation Season Kickoff)
Intro
Season 2 of The Side Hustler’s Society is officially here—and this time, we’re focusing on one of the most important skills for anyone who wants to be self-employed:
👉 Lead generation.
Because the truth is…
👉 You can have the best skill in the world, but if you don’t know how to get clients, it doesn’t matter.
In this episode, Elijah Bilel kicks off the season by breaking down 5 powerful books that will give you the mindset, strategy, and foundation needed to succeed as a freelancer or business owner.
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The difference between gig work and true self-employment
Why lead generation is the most important skill you can learn
5 must-read books for freelancers and entrepreneurs
How to think strategically about business and marketing
Why understanding yourself is key to financial success
Listen to the Episode
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The 5 Books You Need to Read
1. Before You Quit Your Job – Robert Kiyosaki
Robert Kiyosaki
This book is a powerful introduction to what it actually takes to build a business.
Instead of just motivating you to quit your job, it prepares you for:
The reality of entrepreneurship
The ups and downs of building a business
The mindset required to succeed long-term
Elijah highlights that this book is heavy on conceptual thinking, which is critical if you want to move from employee to business owner
👉 It walks through building, failing, rebuilding, and eventually scaling a business
👉 Perfect for anyone thinking about going full-time
Click here to get the book
2. The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success – Brian Tracy
Brian Tracy
This book serves as a foundation for how business actually works.
Elijah explains that these laws became a guiding framework for his own journey
What makes this book powerful:
Everything in business ties back to these laws
Helps you make better decisions
Gives you a mental framework for success
👉 It’s not just a one-time read—it’s a reference guide you come back to
👉 Best used as both a reading AND study tool
Click here to get the book
3. The One Page Marketing Plan – Allan Dib
Allan Dib
This is one of the most important books for freelancers who struggle with:
👉 Getting clients
Elijah calls this book:
👉 Underrated—but extremely powerful
Why it stands out:
Focuses on strategy, not just tactics
Covers multiple ways to market your business
Helps you build a complete marketing system
Key insight from the episode:
👉 Tactics don’t work without strategy
This book teaches you:
How to build that strategy
How to align your marketing with your goals
How to stand out in a crowded market
Click here to get the book
4. Click: 10 Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships – George Fraser
George Fraser
This is one of the most important books for:
👉 Networking and relationship building
Elijah emphasizes that many people misunderstand networking as:
❌ Fake
❌ Self-serving
❌ Transactional
But this book flips that perspective:
👉 Networking should be genuine and mutually beneficial
What you’ll learn:
How to build real relationships
How to create win-win situations
How to develop a strong business network
👉 This is especially important for freelancers who rely on referrals and connections
⚠️ Note: This book does not have an audiobook, so you’ll need to read it physically
Click here to get the book
5. The Anatomy of Financial Success – Elijah Bilel
The Anatomy of Financial Success
This book introduces one of Elijah’s core frameworks:
👉 Financial Personalities
Unlike most finance books, this one focuses on:
👉 Understanding yourself first
Because:
👉 Personal finance is personal
The book breaks down:
6 financial personality types
Strengths and weaknesses of each
How to align your income strategy with who you are
Elijah explains that success comes from:
👉 Building around your strengths
👉 Managing your weaknesses
This becomes especially powerful when applied to:
Business
Lead generation
Income strategies
Click here to get the book
Why These Books Matter for Freelancers
If you’re trying to go full-time…
You need more than just a skill.
You need:
The right mindset
A strong foundation
A clear strategy
The ability to get clients
These books give you:
👉 The complete blueprint
Bonus: Must-Watch Episode Before This Season
Before diving into Season 2, Elijah strongly recommends revisiting:
👉 Episode 5: 10 Tips Needed to Succeed as a Freelancer
This episode provides:
Foundational principles
Core freelance strategies
A setup for everything in this season
What to Expect in Season 2
Season 2 will focus on:
👉 Lead Generation for Freelancers and Business Owners
You’ll learn:
How to consistently get clients
How to market your services
How to build a sustainable business
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel closes this episode by emphasizing:
👉 This is just the beginning
If you take the time to study these books…
👉 You’ll be ahead of most people trying to go full-time