Okay, this is going to be one controversial topic. Before we even start, let me make this very clear that this is a blog about how people should see some books and has no personal agenda other than that I am promoting my new personal branding ebook called “Become Someone From No One.” It has been crafted by both Bhavik Sarkhedi and me (Sahil Gandhi) also known as the “Brand Professor”. Over the years, there have been many books that have been written on personal branding, and many of them are just good and offer a vivid experience and perspective towards different elements of how entrepreneurs and companies can build a personal brand. But the more we read, the more we realized that not all of these books deliver on their lofty promises.
Some gain popularity through hype, clever marketing, or endorsements from high-profile figures, yet fall short in providing actionable, original, or meaningful advice. Yes, go back and read that once again. We mean it when we say it. But of course, I think there is a disclaimer that needs to be put up here. It is the same thing we came across in most of these books, which were oversimplifying complex concepts or recycling outdated ideas, leaving readers with little more than motivational platitudes. This was common, and to be honest, now in 2025, it is boring and bland with no actionable viewpoint.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five of the most overrated personal branding books, discussing why they don’t live up to the hype. By focusing on substance over flash, you can craft a personal brand that is authentic, impactful, and aligned with your goals.
Overrated: Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
The very first book in our list is Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk. The book was first published in 2009. The whole book revolves around the core message of taking advantage of social media. The author Vaynerchuk’s voice and advice in his book are quite simple and clear. Now talking about the real problem with the book. The strategies feel dated in today’s saturated digital landscape, where simply “being yourself” online is no longer enough to stand out. Critics, including readers on Goodreads, note that the book prioritizes motivational rhetoric over practical steps, making it feel like a prolonged pep talk rather than a practical guide. For those seeking actionable insights, Crush It! can feel repetitive and overly simplistic, especially for professionals navigating complex industries. We have to end this debate by saying that the book at first is energetic and inspiring, but it lacks depth and specificity.
Overrated: The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
Alright, now for the second book, it is Timothy Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, which came out in 2007. If you ever read this book, you know that Ferriss focuses on outsourcing, automation, and escaping traditional work structures. Now, for someone who is coming from a different school of thought, the book can feel disconnected from building a cohesive and well-integrated personal brand.
The book’s anecdotes are entertaining and good for reading to explore, but it caters to a specific entrepreneurial archetype and lacks universal applicability. Critics on platforms like Reddit argue that its advice is impractical for most professionals and overly focused on Ferriss’s personal success story, which doesn’t translate well to diverse career paths. For personal branding, the book offers little beyond vague notions of “becoming an expert,” leaving readers wanting more substance. So clearly, if you are looking for a one-stop solution, this book cannot rest on your study table.
Overrated: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Again, it's very overrated literature to follow if you belong to the branding industry or have a keen interest in learning about personal branding. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz. The book was first published in 1997, and by the year, only you can guess, the book is primitive and only holds ideas and strategies that are no longer relevant in the personal branding ecosystem anymore. If you have already read the book, it’s okay; if you haven’t, I would advise you to conveniently skip it. There are much better books that you can invest all your time and energy in. The book’s spiritual tone and Toltec wisdom, while inspiring, don’t directly turn into strategies for building a professional identity. One more thing to remember is that while its four principles, be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best, are philosophically sound, they’re too abstract for practical personal branding.
Overrated: Influence by Robert Cialdini
This book may come to you as a big surprise mention. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini. The book came out in 1984. It is a seminal work on persuasion, often recommended for personal branding due to its insights into human behavior. But hang on, there are problems with this book, and let me state that for you. The book centrally focuses on general persuasion principles, like reciprocity, scarcity, and authority, and feels tangential to the specific needs of personal branding. Moreover, the book doesn’t address how to craft a unique personal narrative or stand out in a competitive market. So, again, a big no if you are someone who is planning to learn or pursue the topic of how to build your personal brand using just books.
In addition to this, the critics on Reddit note that its broad scope makes it less actionable for branding compared to more targeted resources. So if the whole point of personal branding is not getting addressed in the book. We personally do not see any point in your buying this book, reading this book, and investing your time in it.
Overrated: Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
This is where I would like you all readers to agree with me. Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne in 2005 is one of the books I know that has the longest name and yet offers very little compared to it. The book is often partially suggested for understanding personal branding due to its innovative approach to market differentiation.
The book’s case studies are no doubt insightful for businesses, but again the problem is they don't easily translate to personal branding scenarios. Reviews on The Branding Journal note that its academic tone and broad scope can overwhelm readers seeking practical, individual-focused advice. Its inclusion in personal branding lists, like Shortform’s, often stretches its relevance.
I believe now you know what not to read for personal branding. A pro tip would be for you to focus on brand strategy. Now, we are not going to stop here; we are also going to give you better alternatives that can fix the reader in you. Check out the list below.
The Alternatives That Stand Out
I’m not going to explain or elaborate on these books much, but if I have to name a few that can help you with personal branding, they are
- The Personal Branding Playbook by Amelia Sordell
- The Power of You by Hannah Power
- Pocket Full of Do by Chris Do
- Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
- Reinventing You by Dorie Clark
The recommended books are some of the best books for personal branding and succeed where their overrated counterparts fall short by providing structured, actionable, and adaptable advice. These books avoid the pitfalls of vague motivation or outdated tactics, making them relevant for today’s competitive landscape. They also align with the needs of diverse professionals, from entrepreneurs to corporate leaders, ensuring broad applicability.
Conclusion
At last, I can only tell you that each book teaches us something, but then there is a time for every book. In 2025, there will be many books that stand irrelevant. I always say to people that reading is a beautiful exercise, but it should never be an endurance sport. It should make you feel good about all the time and effort you put into it. In this blog we discussed five books that I think are overrated and should be skipped for a better alternative.
Having said that, I believe we gave you the personal branding book list with five good books that are good alternatives for it, especially from the personal branding point of view. You should explore these personal branding recommendations. Of course, we would like to mention again the new ebook we have launched on personal branding called “Become Someone From No One.”
Download the Personal Branding Gold Mine eBook and make the most of it. By focusing on substance over hype, you can build a personal brand that stands out and stands the test of time. Explore our new ebook, which can take your branding journey to the next level, and let us know in the comments which books have shaped your approach to personal branding.
