Summer 2023 Reading List for Marketers

Summer is here which means it's time to lounge by the pool with a good book. Get yourself and your team ready to take the second half of the year by storm with this list of books for marketers that are sure to inspire and educate before you dive back into work.

1. UnMarketing by Scott Stratten

Named the 'Bible of community-based marketing' by one of our clients, Scott Stratten aims to do just that with his unconventional book on how to make marketing feel more genuine by focusing on community-based connections.

Stratten challenges readers to 'unlearn' what they've known about marketing up to this point and instead become more adaptable to the ever-changing market.

UnMarketing is a great summer read to shake up your old ways and test some uncharted waters in your next marketing plan.

2. The Storytelling Edge by Shane Snow & Joe Lazauskas

Contently co-founders, Shane Snow and Joe Lazauskas, took what we know to be true about marketing, great storytelling works, and did a deep dive into why it works.

The authors explore the neuroscience behind great storytelling and how to implement it into your marketing plan to sell any product.

If you've spent your summer engrossed in captivating stories, get ready to tell your own great stories through marketing after reading this book.  

3. Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore

Those working in the tech industry are well aware of the 'chasm' Geoffrey A. Moore is referring to in the title of his book. The difficult transition from innovation to adoption is where many startups get stuck in what Moore calls the 'Technology Adoption Life Cycle'  

Moore lays it all out in this book, naming every stage of a tech start-up and every adopter you'll meet in the process. Moore urges readers to push past the early adopters and position disruptive products that appeal to mainstream customers.

While Crossing the Chasm focuses on the high-tech industry, there are plenty of lessons marketers can learn through Moore's careful analysis of product adoption in mainstream media.

4. Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown

Long gone are the days of cramming for exams but marketers still have lots to learn, and even less time to learn it! Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown revisits our study habits from university and how to upgrade them to become more productive learners.

Brown points out that many of our study habits and practice routines are counterproductive and waste time and effort. Brown offers real results from cognitive-based psychology techniques.

Make It Stick is the perfect book to read before you head back into the office with a clear mind ready to learn!

5. 10x Marketing Formula by Garrett Moon

CoSchedule Founder Garrett Moon knows marketers lead busy lives so he makes his thesis as simple as possible in his book. With the 10x marketing formula you will get 10x the results in your marketing plan.

Sounds a little too good to be true right? Well, Moon has the stats to back it up in his book with bite-sized bits of information so as not to overwhelm the reader.

The 10x formula is results-based, so you need to know what you want in order to use it effectively. However, Moon lays out this process in simple steps so you can easily integrate your brand and platform into this formula.

10x Marketing Solutions is a great read to pick up if you want to hit the ground running with a fresh perspective going into the fall.

6. Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media by Brittany Hennessy

Influencer is written by influencer marketing expert Brittany Hennessy. This is a great read if you're working within influencer marketing or looking to become an influencer yourself.

The key takeaways from this book include how to create a loyal following, connection with your audience on a deeper level, influencer experiences and mistakes in the social media world, and finding out how an agent can help your influencer journey.

If you're looking to build your personal or business brand, this book is a great choice!

7. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley

If you're looking to improve your copywriting skills, this book is for you! Ann Handley is a writer and digital marketer who specializes in helping you create content your customers will love.

The key takeaways from this book include grammar rules that will elevate your content, how to use storytelling for your business and clients, and how to become a trusted source.

8. Growth Hacker Marketing by Ryan Holiday

If you're a start up, this book is for you! Ryan Holiday is a writer and media strategist who will help you adopt the growth hacking mindset.

This book is jam packed with information about what the best tools are for you business and clients, examples of companies who have excelled due to growth hacking, and Product Market Fit.

9. Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

This book is a great pick if you are currently evaluating your business and what your key goals are. Donald Miller is an author, public speaker and business owner who will teach you the 7 universal story points that will help create a business story that your customers will understand.

This book will also go over customers buying behaviour and how to create the perfect brand message.

10. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

This isn't exactly a marketing book, but this book will really help you if you're trying to create better habits.

This book covers how habits relate to success, why you never forget a habit, and the importance of choosing the right keystone.

11. The Business of Belonging: How to Make Community Your Competitive Advantage by David Spinks

This book is perfect for the social media marketer who has been trying to crack the community code. After reading this book, you'll learn how some of the biggest brands grew their communities from the ground up and it also includes some great templates.

12. Get Sh*t Done: The Ultimate Guide to Productivity, Procrastination and Profitability

If you've been finding yourself lacking productivity and motivation, this book is for you! This book provides you with the tools and strategies you need to implement to get you to where you want to be.

13. Brand Storytelling: Put Customers at the Heart of Your Brand Story

Crafted by the renowned narrative maestro, Miri Rodriguez, hailing from Microsoft, this practical manual transcends conventional content strategy, unveiling the art of harnessing brand storytelling within the marketing realm to fortify brand involvement and attain enduring expansion. Imbued with insights from esteemed brands such as Expedia, Coca Cola, McDonald's, Adobe, and Google, this guide unveils the secrets to success.

14. See You on the Internet: Building Your Small Business with Digital Marketing

Within the pages of "See You on the Internet," Avery Swartz, a prominent figure in North America's tech landscape, unveils a foolproof blueprint that empowers you to craft and execute an exceptional digital marketing strategy with unwavering assurance. Regardless of your technical prowess, Swartz presents a comprehensible framework encompassing five straightforward steps, enabling you to forge your brand's identity, amplify your customer base, and unlock heightened revenue streams.

Know a book that belongs on this list? Send us an email alyssa@heyorca.com to include your favourite marketing book!