We are living in a hyper digital world, where finding information about complex concepts is just a click away. However, reading books is still one of the best ways to level up yourself.
If you are a marketer and want to level up in your career, reading books can greatly contribute to your career growth. Some may argue that there are hundreds of amazing marketing blogs and podcasts out there, why should we read books then!
Well, blogs and podcasts are great ways to stay tuned to trends, but books are the best way to learn and understand the origins and underlying theories. If you are following some of the best marketing blogs and podcasts, and you read a book in parallel, you can better develop great marketing strategies by knowing the fundamentals and how to incorporate them in current trends.
A research study conducted by databox revealed that nearly 30% of the marketers take advantage of books to learn more about marketing. And, there are hundreds of amazing books out there that can transform a beginner into a pro-marketer. But, if you cannot read a lot, you can read a few and still make a big difference. This article will discuss five books you should read to become a better marketer.
I’d like to start with two amazing books from the list of 14 books that according to Cool Things Chicago, every marketer should read in 2020.
1- Good to Great by Jim Collins
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t is a great book not just for marketers, but also for startup founders, CEOs and growth managers.
In this book you will find real life examples of the companies that attained skyrocketing growth and their competitors who could never have found the way to do so. You will also learn about the companies that gained hyper growth but failed to sustain it.
What makes it a great book for marketers is the actionable advice for building a brand that lasts longer.
2- Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Most successful brands today are those who have a great story to tell. Storytelling is and will be the backbone of digital marketing and every marketer should learn the art of storytelling.
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen offers a proven solution for businesses to connect with their customers by offering ultimate competitive advantage. The book guides you through the art of storytelling with which you can make your customer understand the compelling benefits of your product/services.
In this book, you will learn the basic story points all humans respond to, and how to craft a brand message so people understand it and respond to it. I am sure, by the time you finish reading this book you would already know how to improve your website, brochure, ads and social media content.
3- Contagious by Jonah Berger
Developing and running a viral marketing campaign is every marketer’s dream and this book can be a great help to make your dream come true. Written by marketing professor Jonah Berger, the book answers your question about the secret science behind word-of-mouth.
Contagious: Why Things Catch On contains actionable advice on how to craft effective messages, create advertisements and develop content that people would love to share. Whether you’re a marketing manager with a full fledged team working for you, or you are an independent marketer who is his/her own boss, this book is your guide to develop sticky ideas!
4- Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Almost every marketer follows Seth’s blog, but it will be quite an injustice if you miss his amazing books. I would say you should read all his books, but considering the fact that we are limiting the list to five in this article, Purple Cow is a must read.
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable is a great read for those who want to stand out in the crowd. Seth Godin in this book explains how to be effective when marketing your business or brand by being different. Don’t go with the flow or don’t try to copy others, learn how to be memorable!
5- Customer for Life by Carl Sewell
Carl Sewell, who transformed the Dallas Cadillac dealership into the second largest in America, reveals his secret of getting customers to return in this book. Customers for Life: How to Turn that One-time Buyer Into a Lifetime Customer is a great source of information on delivering excellent customer service which is one of the strongest pillars of business growth today.
The digitalization of businesses is reshaping the consumer behavior; they expect fast response, quick and free deliveries and instant support. On the other hand, businesses need to be cost efficient too to ensure profitability.
Sewell in this book explains how businesses can remain committed to quality service in the millennial world by sticking to some basic principles like under promise/ over deliver, using customer feedback effectively and measuring and improving employees’ performance.
The Bottom Line
Reading a book is not just about mining information; while concentrating on the words and the storyline, you actually stimulate your brain’s cognitive functions which sharpens your brain. Moreover, reading books help you develop critical thinking, improve memory, enhance imagination, strengthen writing skills and broaden your mind. Most importantly, reading helps greatly in relieving stress and relaxing. And, being a marketer you need it all!
