20 books every marketer should read in 2019

We’ve curated a list of the 20 best books about marketing to help you fill your 2019 reading list. Some books on the list address the latest digital marketing trends, while others offer timeless advice on how to appeal to an audience. Whether you’re interested in the psychology behind an effective campaign, or you’re looking for actionable advice on content production, you’ll find something here to advance your knowledge.

1. This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See

By Seth Godin

In his latest book, marketing thought leader Seth Godin condenses the core elements of his expertise into a single digestible volume. Godin starts from the position that the best marketers use their talents to solve other people’s problems, not their own business challenges. By placing the consumer in the spotlight, Godin argues that campaigns can generate real value for the business.

“This is Marketing” teaches readers how to build trust with consumers through storytelling and strategic positioning. It’s a great book for readers both familiar with and new to Godin’s take on modern marketing.

2. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

By Donald Miller

In his bestselling book, StoryBrand CEO Donald Miller describes the seven elements common among powerful stories that connect businesses to their target customers. The lessons explored throughout the book are universal, and Miller shows how small businesses and multi-billion dollar companies alike can implement his strategies.

Anyone who builds or contributes to multichannel marketing campaigns will benefit from the book’s agnostic approach to content. Miller touches on everything from web copy to old-fashioned brochures and everything in between.

3. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

By Malcolm Gladwell

Published in 2002, Malcolm Gladwell’s “Tipping Point” has remained a best selling book ever since. The crux of Gladwell’s argument is simple: Societal change can happen fast when the conditions are right. But where things get complicated is when Gladwell uses psychological research and economic principles in an attempt to understand the critical tipping point.

Gladwell posits that only a small set of individuals with a “rare set of social gifts” is required to enact large-scale change. Throughout the book, he calls on examples from diverse industries to illustrate this phenomenon, pulling out valuable observations in each chapter.

4. The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand Out From The Crowd

By Allan Dib

New marketers often fall into the trap of thinking they know more about their target audience than they really do. And when one campaign fails, they move on to another strategy without closely analyzing why the first didn’t succeed.

In his book, entrepreneur Allan Dib walks readers through his one-page marketing plan, which uses agile strategies to help marketers get to the root of their pain and relieve it in a methodical manner.

5. Contagious: Why Things Catch On

By Jonah Berger

Why do some things go viral when others don’t? This is the question New York Times best-selling author Jonah Berger tackles in his critically acclaimed book. In his research at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Berger studied why articles get shared online, why some products succeed where others fail and how social influence shapes consumer desires.

The lessons drawn within this well-researched book can apply to marketing efforts in any industry, making it a must-read for anyone who wants to reach the masses.

6. The End of Competitive Advantage: How to Keep Your Strategy Moving as Fast as Your Business

By Rita Gunther McGrath

No marketing strategy is timeless, and yet many organizations refuse to adapt to the times. This is the chief focus of Columbia Business School professor Rita Gunther McGrath’s book on agile business development.

McGrath’s argument rests on the revolutionary idea that sustainable strategies simply no longer exist. She poses the idea that the rapid advancement of technology has made it impossible for any business to rely on a single strategy for very long. Using examples from globally recognized brands, “The End of Competitive Advantage” explores how businesses can capture opportunities quickly and exploit them decisively.

7. Powering Content: Building a Nonstop Content Marketing Machine

By Laura Bushe

With a focus on product marketers, author Laura Bushe’s latest book takes readers on a step-by-step journey through the production of compelling content. Using insights from the world of psychology, design and business development, Bushe provides readers with worksheets and practical exercises for creating content that engages readers.

The book’s three sections explore content strategy tips, the craft of writing and designing assets and content production management. This is a great read for entrepreneurs who are new to the world of content marketing.

8. How to Win Friends and Influence People

By Dale Carnegie

Originally published in 1936 during the Great Depression, Dale Carnegie’s influential self-help book is still as relevant today. Though not directly related to marketing, the book’s lessons on interpersonal relationships are highly valuable to anyone who needs to convince others to take action.

Specifically, Carnegie utilizes his experience as a teacher of public speaking to explain how people react to praise, criticism and complaints, why audiences are interested in some people but not others, and the power of listening. It’s a necessary read for anyone seeking success in the business world.

9. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content

By Ann Handley

Marketing veteran Ann Handley does not believe the world is separated into writers and non-writers. Thanks to the internet, everyone writes daily and reads voraciously. The quality of our written words may differ greatly, but they are more important than ever, Handley argues.

In the book, Handley offers guidance on how to choose the right words and style to evoke an empathetic response in readers. She addresses common mistakes and provides easy-to-follow advice on how to turn humdrum writing into engaging content.

Reference
https://www.brafton.com/blog/content-marketing/20-books-every-marketer-should-read-in-2019/