The best 100 Marketing books

The Tipping Point discusses why certain ideas, products and behaviors spread like epidemics and what we can do to consciously trigger and have control over such epidemics.

Hooked (2014) explains, through anecdotes and scientific studies, how and why we integrate certain products into our daily routines, and why such products are the Holy Grail for any consumer-oriented company. Hooked gives concrete advice on how companies can make their products habit-forming, while simultaneously exploring the moral issues that entails.

The Long Tail challenges existing notions of the market and the entertainment industry by looking at the massive influence of the internet on the economy. Due to new modes of content creation and distribution, it can be more profitable to offer a large number and wide variety of products that appeal to niche consumer groups rather than one certain “hit,” e.g., a blockbuster or bestselling book.

Growth Hacker Marketing charts a major departure from traditional marketing practices, relying heavily on the use of user data and smart product design. This book illustrates how today’s top technology companies, such as Dropbox and Instagram, have used this strategy to gain millions of users.

These blinks explain why traditional marketing no longer works, and why to be successful you need to build Purple Cows, remarkable products and services that stand out of the crowd. They also explain how you can reach your target market once you’ve found your own Purple Cow.

Positioning has become one of the most renowned, best-selling books about marketing strategies in the last few decades. It describes a revolutionary marketing concept developed by the authors in the 1970s after it became clear that classic advertising was no longer effective due to an increase in media and competition. Positioning focuses on how to position your product in the market to become an industry leader.

This book shows you how to craft messages and ideas that stick in the minds of your audience because they are Popular, Original and Pithy. Author Sam Horn offers a highly adaptable and systematic approach to creating pitches, titles and taglines that grasp people’s attention and win them over to your brand, product or idea.

The Thank You Economy (2011) describes how the advent of social media has changed the relationship between companies and their customers. It shows just how critical online engagement is for companies who want to succeed, and offers tips on how companies can use social media to influence their public image along the way.

Originally published in 1984, Guerrilla Marketing is a classic must-read for marketers. It explains how small firms with limited marketing budgets can still compete with bigger competitors by getting creative.

In this book, author Seth Godin reveals the most powerful unit of social organization: the “tribe,” or a group of people connected to a cause, a leader and each other, who together drive change in society. It shows us how we can harness the power of the internet to form and lead our own tribes. Tribes also advocates the universal need for change and leadership, so we can grow as a company or as a society.

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook explains how managers, marketers and small businesses can capitalize on social media platforms like Facebook to increase their public profile. A great social media marketing campaign can deliver that fatal blow – the “right hook” that knocks consumers into buying their product. The author teaches you social media moves that’ll have your product floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.

Epic Content Marketing (2014) offers you a step-by-step guide to mastering one of today’s most innovative approaches to product marketing. Knowing your audience and assembling a top-notch content team are just some of the key elements to achieving a successful content marketing strategy and getting ahead in a highly competitive market.

The Art of Social Media reveals the most effective ways to promote yourself or your product professionally on social media platforms. The authors explain how to get the most of the many dominant social media platforms today, including Google+, Facebook, Twitter and others.

Duct Tape Marketing outlines the most essential facts about effective marketing for your small business. It explains what techniques really work and how you can build a marketing campaign that will not only bring in customers but keep them and have them spread the word to their friends, too.

Getting Started in Consulting (2009) is the go-to guidebook for budding consultants. From finding your footing and learning about legal matters to mastering the dual art of marketing and branding, these blinks outline every step on your journey to building a strong consultancy firm – and maintaining it, too.

Facebook Marketing (2014) is a comprehensive guide of the topic, covering both the basics like creating simple ads, and advanced power-user techniques like building custom audiences.

Content Rules (2012) is a guide to content publishing that’ll help you implement effective and sustainable strategies. Regardless of whether you’re a social-media novice or a web-savvy pro, these blinks will guide you through the ins and outs of web-based content tools and social media sites, while offering plenty of helpful content tips along the way.

Global Content Marketing (2015) is your comprehensive guide to marketing in the digital age. These blinks offer strategic insights into implementing and maintaining a powerful content-marketing strategy and explore what the future holds for global content-marketing and the role of the marketer.

Today, ownership is out. Consumer trends show that more and more consumers want temporary access, not permanent ownership. And within this changing landscape, membership-oriented businesses are king. The Membership Economy (2015) outlines key strategies and tactics based on real-world examples for successfully building a membership organization.

The Power of Visual Storytelling (2014) is the ultimate guide in showing you how to tell stories through visuals and how to use this technique to your company’s advantage. With well-illustrated examples, these blinks explain in detail how you can master today’s most important social media platforms through powerful images.  

The New Rules of Marketing & PR (2007) is your guide to the world of online marketing strategies. These blinks explain how and why communicating with authenticity and agility on social media will help you reach more customers and take your brand to the next level.

Content Marketing Revolution (2015) is your introduction to pioneering new strategies in digital marketing today. These blinks guide you through the process of developing and implementing a content marketing strategy, helping you optimize your advertising efforts.  

Pricing For Profit (2013) is a practical strategy guide for pricing. These blinks use real world business examples to paint a comprehensive picture of how to optimize your pricing and maximize your profits.

We’ve all heard success stories of start-ups attracting millions of users and earning billions of dollars virtually overnight. Startup Growth Engines (2014) shows us what all these companies have in common: a new approach called “growth hacking”. These blinks reveal how your business can use viral marketing techniques, freemium business models and other growth engines to rapidly achieve business success.

Meaningful (2015) is a guide to making customers central to your business. These blinks, by teaching you how to produce a product that truly matters to and empowers your customers, will perfectly align your brand with the demands of the twenty-first century.

Connected CRM (2014) cuts through buzzwords like “the cloud,” “personalization” and “big data” to show us how best to use information to serve customers in the brave new world of online business.

It’s Not the Size of the Data (2014) is a beginner's guide to designing, creating and adopting your own marketing dashboard, helping you uncover the links between campaigns and performance, and monitor progress with long-term goals in mind.

Campaigns that Shook the World (2015) tells the history of public relations through a series of groundbreaking campaigns, work that inspired a revolutionary shift in communications. These blinks will show you how to create a campaign that packs a serious punch and leads your company to success.

Content, Inc. (2015) is a useful and practical guide on how to use content management to market your business, attract an audience and bring your ideas to the world. These blinks are packed with tips and tricks that will help you turn that audience into loyal subscribers and allow you to diversify your brand and move to the forefront of your industry.

The Revenue Growth Habit (2015) is a collection of strategies for boosting your revenue and increasing your exposure to both potential and existing customers. These methods are quick, easy and cost-effective – perfect for delivering your message to the people who matter most.

80/20 Internet Lead Generation (2015) reveals how your business can take advantage of the internet’s lead generation potential. From SEO to pay-per-click advertising to content creation, simple and actionable strategies are what you’ll need to get your business ahead in the information age.

Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars (2015) helps you plan a campaign to bring your product to a potentially vast new audience. These blinks illustrate the principles and strategies for building a winning blog, creating great online content or making your videos go viral.

Perennial Seller (2017) explains how to ensure that great creative work also succeeds in the market. These blinks not only demonstrate how to generate success for a particular project, but also how to secure continued long-term success for yourself as a creative individual.

Oversubscribed (2015) explains how to create a business that generates more demand than it can supply. Used by Apple to create a passionate and loyal customer base and by boutique brands to manufacture desire and earn huge profits, the business model of oversubscription both gets attention and keeps it. In these blinks, you’ll learn how it works.

It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be (2003) offers sage advice to anyone interested in turning their grand ambitions into reality. Paul Arden takes readers behind the scenes of the advertising world to reveal the best and most effective techniques for pitching ideas and getting the client to say yes. Throughout, Arden encourages creative minds to think big and break away from the mundane and mediocre.

The One Hour Content Plan (2017) is a strategic guide to creating engaging, attention-grabbing and profitable blog content. The fruit of years of hands-on experience in online marketing, Meera Kothand’s actionable advice for would-be content creators is focused squarely on the how. Full of useful tips and strategies, these blinks will help you get your brilliant ideas off the ground.

Building a StoryBrand (2017) is a practical guide to effectively marketing your company or product. By showing the power of a seven-part story-telling framework, these blinks help you and your company create a clear message that no customer will ignore.

The Referral Engine (2010) is a practical guide to developing an in-depth referral-based marketing strategy for your business. These blinks explain why referrals are so powerful before taking you through a step-by-step process to build the referral machine that your company wants and needs.

Napoleon Hill’s Golden Rules (2009) offers a wide array of tips and life hacks to improve your life and bring you closer to realizing your goals. Author Napoleon Hill developed his techniques – many of which stem from the power of positive thinking – nearly a century ago, but they’re still the cornerstone of many of today’s self-help and personal development theories.

This Is Marketing (2018) begins with a provocative premise: the landscape of marketing has dramatically shifted in the past few decades, but we haven’t updated our thinking about it accordingly. Our mental model still places advertising at the center of the marketing universe – but in the age of the internet, that no longer makes sense. A new philosophy is needed.

Talk Triggers (2018) reminds us of a truth so obvious it’s often forgotten: nothing drives customers through your doors as effectively as word-of-mouth recommendations. The trick is to strategically steer the conversation your way with carefully crafted talking points that set you apart from the competition. In these blinks, you’ll learn how to do this.

We’re All Marketers (2019) offers a helpful overview of the tactics and principles that are guiding the world of digital marketing. Whether you’re part of a small business or a giant corporation, or you’re simply curious about how ideas are sold online, these are tips that can change the way you think about marketing.

The Gen Z Frequency (2018) offers a blueprint for brands seeking to connect and build meaningful relationships with Generation Z. In addition to providing insight into the minds of this growing demographic, the authors give actionable advice on content strategy, marketing, social media, and more. 

Podcasting Marketing Strategy (2019) is an accessible guide to podcasting. As marketing experts Daniel Rowles and Ciaran Rogers point out, podcasts generate higher levels of consumer commitment and engagement than any other social media. That makes them an indispensable tool for today’s businesses. Podcasting Marketing Strategy guides you through the podcasting process and shows you how to design your show, what equipment you’ll need, and how to reach your target audience. 

Despite what the title says, F#ck Content Marketing (2019) isn’t against content marketing. Rather, it’s about clearing up the confusion and refocusing our attention on how to get the most from our content marketing efforts. To this end, author Randy Frisch is out to take the emphasis off of content creation and put it where it belongs: on how to get your content noticed and use it to create a meaningful customer experience.

The End of Marketing (2020) is a guide to how brands should use social media. In an age when traditional marketing is no more, businesses must find ways to give their brands a human face, to capture the attention of social media users and win their trust.

See You on the Internet (2020) is a simple guide to navigating the world of digital marketing. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the thought of building a website or running an email marketing campaign, See You on the Internet will walk you through planning, implementing, and measuring your digital marketing efforts.

They Ask You Answer (2017) describes a transformative new marketing philosophy. Rather than relying on flashy ads and keyword-stuffed articles, author Marcus Sheridan encourages companies to embrace quality online content that truly seeks to educate customers and win their trust.

Communicate in a Crisis (2019) explores how brands can communicate sensitively and effectively in a crisis. Author Kate Hartley explains why consumers connect so intimately with brands, and why social media is a threat to businesses. She also offers valuable advice for how to execute a crisis communication plan.

The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks (2020) describes how brands can create effective and authentic content by understanding the basics of human psychology. Drawing on Freudian psychoanalysis, it gets to the bottom of our online habits and shows brands how to connect with people on a deeper level.

Likeable Social Media (2011) is a handy guide to promoting your business on social media. This manual shows the best strategies for garnering positive attention on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.

Get Different (2021) is a practical guide for entrepreneurs who want to leverage their market strategies and set themselves apart from the competition. Using an established framework, it offers step-by-step guidance on how to turn a marketing experiment into a strategic plan that gets you noticed and generates leads.

Digital Marketing Strategy (2016) is a guide to effective marketing in the digital age. From content marketing to social media and SEO, it offers a whistle-stop tour of the latest techniques and developments in this fast-moving and exciting domain.

New Sales. Simplified. (2012) is a guide for those charged with finding new business. It takes a look at the fundamentals and offers actionable advice and techniques to the aspiring new business salesperson.

Renegade Marketing (2021) is an incisive guide to becoming a cutting-edge B2B marketer in today’s frenetic corporate climate. It distinguishes four key characteristics of very successful marketing executives and shows you how you can apply them in your own company. Most importantly, it demonstrates how to create meaningful brands that are embodied at every level of your organization.

Branding Between the Ears (2021) explores how marketers can apply the latest scientific insights to their branding strategy. It explores how the human brain responds to advertising, and how consumers really make the decision to buy or not to buy.

The Direct to Consumer Playbook (2022) takes a look at how some of the world’s top e-commerce brands got to where they are today. Through a series of inspiring interviews with DTC founders, you’ll discover stories of both failure and success – and be much better placed to build your own DTC company.

How to Grow Your Small Business (2023) is your six-step flight plan to guide your business as it takes off. When Don Miller started to take his business to the next level, he realized no-one had written a reliable, step-by-step playbook for growth. Since then, his small home content business has expanded into a $20 million dollar company, so he wrote the book he wished he’d had. 

The 1-Page Marketing Plan (2018) is a streamlined, step-by-step framework for developing your own customized marketing strategy. With only one page, businesses can build and implement a marketing plan that attracts new customers and drives growth.

Two Weeks Notice (2023) is your step-by-step guide to launching a successful online business. It provides you with the tools and tricks you need to become your own boss – and gain the creative and financial freedom to live your best life. 

$100M Offers (2021) is a guide to creating Grand Slam Offers – big-ticket products or services that sell themselves. By breaking down the psychology of pricing and perceived value, Alex Hormozi teaches readers how to differentiate and optimize their offer until it’s irresistible. 

Emotion by Design (2022) explores the creative philosophies that can differentiate your brand from the rest. It features lessons and stories from the author’s design and marketing experience at Nike.   

Marketing Strategy (2021) is a comprehensive guide that decodes the intricacies of crafting and implementing effective marketing strategies. It introduces the reader to a practical framework known as STRATEGY, exploring each component through real-world examples and actionable insights. From setting smart objectives and understanding target audiences, to measuring performance and conducting post-mortem analyses, it provides a roadmap to marketing success. 

Sol Price: Retail Revolutionary & Social Innovator (2012) is a deep-dive into the life and legacy of Sol Price, a pivotal figure who reshaped consumer behavior in the United States and across the world. Authored by his son, it illuminates Price's disruptive retail strategies that birthed FedMart and Price Club, and spotlights his steadfast commitment to employee welfare and customer value, a practice that became an ethical cornerstone of his expansive business empire.

Marketing 5.0 (2021) introduces the concept of a new era in marketing focused on leveraging technology to improve human lives. It provides strategies and examples demonstrating how the synthesis of advanced data-driven capabilities with human creativity, ethics, and empathy will allow companies to deliver tailored customer experiences amidst a complex, rapidly evolving marketplace.

Sell Or Be Sold (2011) delves into the concept that everyone is involved in sales, regardless of their profession. It outlines strategies and mindsets that can transform both seasoned sales professionals and everyday individuals into persuasive communicators and successful negotiators.

Sell Like Crazy ( 2019 ) is a comprehensive guide that unveils step-by-step strategies for attracting your ideal customers and converting them into loyal, high-paying clients. It presents a proven blueprint for escalating your customer acquisition efforts and outlines a consultative approach to significantly enhance conversion rates.

Ogilvy on Advertising (1983) offers insights into the world of advertising from the Father of Advertising himself: David Ogilvy. With practical tips on copywriting, design, and media – and a showcase of iconic ad campaigns – it serves as both a guide and a manifesto for aspiring advertisers.

80/20 Sales and Marketing (2013) hands you a magic lens so you can zoom in on what truly matters in your business. Uncover how to focus just 20 percent of your efforts to unlock 80 percent of your profit. Get ready to amplify your impact and ditch the grind.

What They Teach You at Harvard Business School (2008) is a candid insider's view into one of the world’s most prestigious business schools, providing insights into its curriculum, culture, and impact on students' lives. Through case studies, math, and unsolicited advice, it follows one unlikely student’s memorable experience obtaining this coveted MBA, revealing both the strengths and shortcomings of the HBS education along the way.

Jobs to Be Done (2016) offers an up-to-date look at one of the most respected strategies for creating sought-after, innovative products. This methodology is laser-focused on customer research and understanding what they need in order to get jobs done.

Playing to Win (2013) introduces a strategic framework that illustrates how companies can achieve success by making deliberate and well-considered choices. It delves into the "Five Choices Framework," detailing essential decisions that leaders must make to develop winning strategies. Using real-world examples, it emphasizes that a disciplined approach to strategy can create sustainable competitive advantage and turn companies into industry leaders.

Elite Sales Strategies (2022) is a guide designed to catapult you from being a typical salesperson to a trusted consultant. It dives into the One-Up strategy that not only sells but also connects and provides value to clients.

$100M Leads (2023) is a proven playbook for attracting more leads than you’ll know what to do with. Through step-by-step frameworks and cutting-edge tactics, it shows you how to build self-sustaining marketing machines that convert at record rates.

Narrative and Numbers (2017) explores the role of storytelling and quantitative analysis in determining corporate valuations. It reveals how narratives may greatly influence financial models and projections, using real-world examples ranging from Uber to Vale, and including Twitter and Facebook's diverging paths.

Obviously Awesome (2019) is a guide on how to master the art of product positioning. It compiles insights and strategies from two decades of experience in B2B tech marketing, providing actionable advice for selling a product's unique attributes to the right audience. 

Competing Against Luck (2016) challenges you to rethink innovation and growth through what is known as the jobs to be done theory. This transformative concept invites you to understand on a deeper level why customers make the choices they do, thereby helping you shape how you develop and market your products or services. Dive into a world where success hinges not on luck but on a profound comprehension of your customer’s true needs and desires.

Sales Pitch (2024) emphasizes the importance of distinctive marketing in a competitive marketplace. It offers guidance for entrepreneurs, salespeople, and business leaders on crafting compelling sales narratives – and provides a step-by-step method to help build a sales pitch structure that supports confident customer decisions and solid market positioning. 

Power Questions (2012) equips you with strategic questions to transform conversations, redefine problems, and forge deep connections in both professional and personal realms. It presents real-life dialogues with CEOs and influential figures, each demonstrating the impact of incisive questions – and teaches you to harness questioning as a tool for influence, understanding, and meaningful engagement.

Well-Designed (2014) is about the transformative power of empathy in product design. It explains how understanding and empathizing with users can lead to innovative and beloved products. The book offers practical advice on observing user behavior, understanding their needs, and creating products that resonate deeply with them.

Be Seen (2023) offers a comprehensive guide on content creation, marketing strategies, and personal branding. It’s designed to assist readers in finding their unique voice, establishing a solid personal brand, and achieving their dreams. Through step-by-step methods and personal anecdotes, it provides tools for personal and professional development, especially for entrepreneurs and creative professionals.

Uncommon Service (2012) unveils an innovative approach to conquering the business world. It emphasizes excellence in customer service by making strategic trade-offs and focussing on what the customers value most.

Million Dollar Weekend (2024) offers a deep dive into converting entrepreneurial dreams into concrete successes. Through riveting insights, you’ll be guided on how to overcome the fear of starting, embrace the power of asking, and leverage every rejection as a stepping stone toward your goals. All of this will set you on a path of exponential growth and lasting impact in the entrepreneurial world.

Better Brand Health (2023) draws on decades of extensive academic research on brand management to offer practical insights and strategies for assessing and improving brand health.

Attention Factory (2020) chronicles the meteoric rise of ByteDance, a company that has left an indelible mark on our perceptions of Chinese technology. A deft interweaving of storytelling, analysis, and captivating anecdotes, it offers an unparalleled glimpse into the company’s growth and how it has shaped the American and Chinese internet landscapes.

SEO 2024 (2024) is an indispensable resource for anyone looking to improve their online visibility and drive more traffic to their site. It breaks down the complexities of search engine optimization (SEO) into easy-to-understand concepts and actionable strategies, providing the tools to outrank competitors and attract customers.

Email Marketing Demystified (2015) is a comprehensive guide to building a substantial mailing list, crafting compelling copy, and generating increased sales through email marketing. It delves into strategies for capturing email addresses, engaging with subscribers effectively, and optimizing key metrics such as open rates and click-through rates to maximize marketing success.

CMO to CRO (2021) presents a groundbreaking approach to transform the role of the Chief Marketing Officer into a powerful force for driving revenue growth and delivering exceptional customer experiences. It offers a roadmap to breaking down departmental silos, aligning customer-facing teams around a common goal, and harnessing the power of CX technology to gain a competitive edge in today’s ever-changing business landscape.

Moving to Outcomes (2021) explores the evolution of partnership marketing from its traditional roots to its current automated and scalable form, a transformation driven by technological advancements and shifts in supply and demand. Packed with insights into leveraging this model to its fullest, it enables companies to navigate and thrive in the digital marketplace.

Marketing Artificial Intelligence (2022) unravels the transformative journey of marketing in the AI era, inviting you to explore the seismic shifts reshaping audience engagement and the essence of marketing strategies. Dive into the world where AI’s fusion with human creativity opens new avenues for innovation, personalization, and efficiency, fundamentally altering how we connect with consumers. This guide provides insights to navigate the evolving digital landscape, making AI an indispensable ally in crafting the future of marketing.

Linked (2022) offers practical advice on how to use LinkedIn effectively for career development. It provides strategic tips on optimizing profiles, engaging with the right networks, and unlocking new job opportunities through the platform. The guide emphasizes the importance of a well-curated online presence in today’s digital job market.

Quantum Marketing (2021) explains the revolutionary marketing strategies necessary for businesses to remain relevant in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. From managing the explosion of data to forging strategic partnerships, it offers a thought-provoking guide to navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by this new era of business.

Made You Look (2024) is a guide that draws on the latest neuroscience research to study attention, memory, and what keeps the brain engaged. It presents a four-part framework for creating persuasive content that captures customers’ attention and influences their purchasing decisions.

Day Trading Attention (2024) explores innovative advertising strategies tailored to the digital age, emphasizing the importance of social media in building a brand. Geared toward helping you leverage content creation and distribution, it focuses on practical steps for harnessing the power of social media platforms to gain consumer attention effectively.

The Power of Instinct (2024) explores the role of instinctual behavior in decision-making and persuasion, particularly within business and marketing. It delves into how understanding and leveraging innate human instincts can lead to more effective communication, influence, and success, and offers practical strategies for harnessing these natural tendencies. 

How to Master the Art of Selling (1979) provides a comprehensive guide to effective selling techniques and strategies. It emphasizes the importance of mastering the basics of selling to achieve success in the profession. 

Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT (2024) opens up new possibilities for online business using AI to streamline tasks and spark creativity. It shows you how ChatGPT can assist in automating your marketing, generating fresh ideas, and increasing productivity. This guide is your key to transforming AI into a valuable business partner.

The Ten Commandments for Business Failure (2011) is a light-hearted “how-not-to” business guide that illustrates how companies prosper – or falter. Packed with insights into the pitfalls even seasoned executives overlook, it offers a unique perspective on the art of business. 

The Art of the Tale (2022) offers practical strategies to enhance storytelling for presentations, helping speakers connect with and inspire their audience. It emphasizes the importance of authenticity, adaptability, and avoiding rote memorization to craft memorable and engaging stories, while also boosting confidence and creativity.

Sell Like a Spy (2024) reveals how the clandestine strategies used by intelligence operatives to master the art of persuasion and negotiation can be applied to sales and client relations. It offers a unique blend of espionage lore and practical advice, transforming ordinary interactions into powerful opportunities for influence and success.