Remember Cliff Notes in college? You’ll love this:
I saw a problem that needed to be solved. Most of my friends are entrepreneurs, and they want to keep up with all the latest business ideas, but they have no time to read books. That’s what inspired me to create ReadSmartly.
Most books are 250+ pages because that’s what publishers want. But most of the ideas in these great books can be distilled down to a page or two. Instead of asking someone to read 250 pages, I thought it would be smart if there was a service that summarized one book every week, so it would only take you 5 minutes to read it.
With this service, you’d know what everyone is talking about when they mention things like LTV, blue ocean strategy and permission marketing, but you don’t have to spend each night slogging through a huge book.
Now that I launched ReadSmartly, I’m looking for strategic partners. If you have a site focused on business owners or entrepreneurs, let me know. I’d be interested in partnering with you and getting your readers up to speed.
Author’s Note
In addition to ReadSmartly, I cofounded two popular sites: one focused on games and education and the other on startups. Feel free to visit LavaMind.com and play some of our entertaining business simulation games. Or head over to FoundersSpace.com and connect with entrepreneurs, advisors, VCs and angels.
Steve Hoffman
Thanks for sharing such a great article. You shared a very useful article gave a great ides from top business books.
Let me first say that I love the concept of this but I wonder if it will work…. Its true that most ideas in these 250 pg books can be summarized in a page or two but I think that 2 pages might not be enough to really make a user understand the whole logic behind the idea. Example, you read an article online and it has few ideas that you deem as good when you read them but then you read the next article and you’ve forgotten it. Its as if an article wasn’t enough to really make this idea sync in. This is just my theory but I think it might perhaps be more useful to have the summary of a 250pg book in 10–15 pages instead of 1-2. Its still a huge time saver while giving people time to really process the concept/idea.
Hi Natasha,
What many people aren’t thinking about is that while it is easy to understand “why”, actually implementing it is another matter entirely. For that, you often need a lot more detail.
Books also have the advantage of being a physical reminder that you meant to do something. Articles just aren’t as effective. Even if you bookmark them how many bookmarks do people ever actually use again?
Gail Gardner would love you to read ..10 Creative Skill Set Ideas to Increase Your Income
I do like the basic concept, but disagree on one point: you should never fully replace books with summaries.
I’m a huge fan of Blinkist though, in addition to books I now read a summary every morning, write down my learnings and then publish them.
I wanted to help people pre-select books faster while simultaneously learning something in a very short time. If anyone wants to check it out it’s called Four Minute Books.
I would definitely use ReadSmartly as a CEO who’s crazy busy, however, I’d also try to always read a book on the side as well 🙂
Great work, keep it up!
Niklas Goeke would love you to read ..Duct Tape Marketing Summary
It is really beautiful idea to improve blog business . One man can learn about blog business with in short time in this proses .
According to my personal point of view the book should be short in pages, but it should be comprehensive in text and motive. I also like your thinking regarding Best Business Books Ideas. I would like to appreciate your motivation in this regard.Thank you.
Zareen would love you to read ..Business Administration Learnerships at Vodacom
Every human being has learn from book and these blog post are some pages of books of authors. These pages are also juice of a whole book and these are milestone for learning.
Hello there,
Really nice information you share. The Best Ideas from the Top Business Books: What Inspired Me to Create ReadSmartly The explanation theory is different. really good
Your blog is very informative with vivid articles and pictures included are also very informative and useful for increasing the knowledge.
I would recommend Peter Church’s book Added Value-the life stories of Indian business leaders. Amazing insight on some truly inspirational people. You should read this book not only because it was fantastically insightful and interesting in relation to the individuals but also gives the reader an incredibly helpful view of the mindset of the business leaders. The book is an excellent primer for anyone seeking to do business.
http://amzn.com/B009PMPKZ4
A great idea. A practical way to learn without spending too much time reading on it. Thank you for keeping this up together for us.
Hi Steve, this is definitely a great idea to save yourself from reading the entire book and that too after a tough day at work. It will actually help people stay informed about the various new things coming into the industry.
Definitely true. Most of the business books I have read contain hundred of pages of content fillers to get across a few important messages and advice. Yes, background and examples are important, but sometimes authors/publisher overdo it.
James would love you to read ..Best Drain Cleaners and Openers
That’s such a great idea. I really love reading books.
It’s realy awsome idea. one can do more in less time. thanks for this awsome post.
It’s sound interested!
You’re right about business men/ women don’t have time to read a long book. Some book is not only 250 pages but also 1000 pages. ReadSmartly will become a famous tools for them to earn more knowledge without taking a lot of time..
Thank for your share! Wish u best luck!
QuynhLan would love you to read ..[OpenCart Themes] Light up your summer store with Odio!
Awesome post and Idea I love boooks
thanks for sharing 😀
anis would love you to read ..5 Best AdSense Earners in The World !
You made a very complex task easier through this tool .As this service is unique and , you can expect a lot of customers in the coming days . I wish you best of luck !
Best Wishes,
Pramod
I never heard of anything like this but is seems like a great idea. I definitely like reading books in their entirety but certainly would be interested in an option that provides a short, sweet, and to the point focus and outline like ReadSmartly seems to offer.
Racquel Cousins would love you to read ..Successful Outcomes
I wanna “Read Smartly!”
What a great plan, to take the “Big Idea” and distill it into Cliff’s Notes.
Einstein is credited with having said, “If you can’t explain it succinctly, you don’t understand it yourself.” Dunno if he actually said that… A lot of sayings get associated with Einstein to promote their credibility… but I believe that nonetheless.
I can bet that your distilled books will work at getting the big idea across without so much fluff, because this post and video were so succinct. Thanks again and I look forward to reading more smartly. Smartfully. Much smartage with the readingness.
😉
Keep Stepping,
Kurt
Kurt Frankenberg would love you to read ..How to Make Yourself a Marketing Einstein
This is a great idea. With this you can learn so much in less time. I call it concentrated learning
Woww, great share. Nice tool you have here…and the most important IMO…it gives you time! which is the most important thing in these days…Anyway, I wish you good luck with you readsmartly…cheers!
Diego Martin would love you to read ..Omega Ultra Slim Digital Bathroom Scale, 400 lb. Capacity, Sense-On Technology Review