One of the coolest things about being a small business owner in 2024 is there are SO many resources – both free and low cost – to teach you how to market your business.
As a certified marketing strategist and life-long learner, I am always on the lookout for books, courses and info that will help me better market and grow my own business and help my clients do the same.
Over the last few years, I’ve read dozens of books on marketing, business and life.
From tactical and practical to creative and theoretical, I have consumed and put into practice so much incredible knowledge from all kinds of marketing books.
And all it took was a library card – and usually an active Amazon account 🙂
I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best marketing books – with general business learning as well – for small business owners and these are based on a few criteria.
These are all rated on a scale of 1 out of 10:
- Ease of understanding
Marketing and business how-to is no good if it’s all industry jargon that the average business owner may not be familiar with. - Ease of application
Like being able to understand concepts and strategies, the steps and tactics taught have to be easy to apply to your business - Ease of enjoyment
Because I am not about to recommend a book that’s an absolute snore-fest, these books are also well written and easy to read (contextually).
Let’s get into it!
10 Best Marketing Books For Small Businesses
1. They Ask, You Answer – Marcus Sheridan
Understanding – 8/10
Application – 9/10
Enjoyment – 7/10
They Ask, You Answer was one of the first books I read when I was starting to develop the marketing strategy side of my business.
Sheridan’s approach to marketing is almost 100% client/customer focused. He uses the questions, needs and concerns of the client to drive his content creation, marketing strategy and overall messaging.
This was an awesome re-frame of the traditional marketing funnel and gave me a clear direction for my own strategy.
2. Building A Storybrand – Donald Miller
Understanding – 9/10
Application – 8/10
Enjoyment – 8/10
Donald Miller is a leader in marketing and business for good reason.
His innovative Storybrand method gives logical and effective structure to your messaging, while also allowing you to connect on a human level with your audience.
This book walks you through the seven universal story points that the human brain naturally responds to and then shows you how to turn that into business-building marketing and messaging.
3. This Is Marketing – Seth Godin
Understanding – 10/10
Application – 8/10
Enjoyment – 10/10
Ready for some people-first, heart-centered marketing education? Your first stop is anything by Seth Godin.
This Is Marketing isn’t so much a tactical read but a look at marketing from the human-to-human perspective. Godin’s whole approach to marketing is less about making all the money and more about reaching an audience you want to serve in the most genuine way possible.
4. Content, Inc – Joe Pulizzi
Understanding – 8/10
Application – 10/10
Enjoyment – 7/10
If you’re looking for step-by-step instructions on creating content that builds a business and brand, Content, Inc. is it.
Pulizzi has been doing this for decades and put all of that industry know-how into this book. It’s easy to read and even easier to apply.
5. Marketing Made Simple – Donald Miller
Understanding – 10/10
Application – 9/10
Enjoyment – 9/10
Remember when I said Donald Miller is the marketing GOAT? Here’s another example.
Marketing Made Simple might be the best marketing book in this list and the place to start when learning the basics of effectively marketing your business. There is so much in the book that applies to businesses of every shape and size and Miller’s ability to tell a great story is just an added bonus.
6. The Diary of A CEO – Steven Bartlett
Understanding – 9/10
Application – 8/10
Enjoyment – 10/10
This one isn’t straight marketing but it should be on every small business owner’s TBR.
Bartlett takes the lessons he’s learned in the 15+ years of successful entrepreneurship and breaks it down into 33 easy to digest laws/rules.
This book is thoughtful and supportive while also helping you admit to some hard truths and areas of improvement in your own business, life and beyond.
And check out Bartlett’s podcast (same name) The Diary Of A CEO for some of the best interviews with fascinating humans I’ve ever heard.
7. Branding Pays – Karen Kang
Understanding – 10/10
Application – 8/10
Enjoyment – 8/10
Brand building is a part of business building and in this quick read, Kang breaks down her method for personal branding and how you can apply that to your business.
This book is perfectly laid out and well structured with great storytelling examples along the way. It gave me insight into not only business marketing but how I wanted to show up as the face of my one-woman-show.
8. The Copywriter’s Handbook – Robert W. Bly
Understanding – 9/10
Application – 10/10
Enjoyment – 6/10
There are some books that should just BE on the bookshelf of every entrepreneur and this is one of them.
Good marketing will always need good writing and writing for business is a skill to learn and work on. The Copywriter’s Handbook is an awesome reference book for business owners of every level.
This got a low “enjoyment” score simply because it’s more a reference book than anything else.
9. Blue Ocean Strategy – W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne
Understanding – 8/10
Application – 10/10
Enjoyment – 7/10
Out of all ten, this one is probably the most “advanced” in terms of business concept but important for those of us trying to find our place in busy industries.
Blue Ocean Strategy breaks down a systematic approach to market share so that instead of battling your competition bloody in the same ocean (red ocean) you find uncontested space for yourself and your business in your own blue ocean.
If you are ready to really set yourself apart from the competition, start here.
10. Originals: How Non-Conformists Move The World – Adam Grant
Understanding – 8/10
Application – 9/10
Enjoyment – 9/10
Can I be really honest? This book helped me see just where I’d been holding myself back in business – and in life.
Adam Grant, world renowned organizational psychologist, uses studies, cases and story after fascinating story to look at just how much non-conformist thinkers impact the world.
While this book is not directly related to marketing or business, the lessons to be learned and the insights gained may just blow your entrepreneurial mind.
So which one will you start with?? These are, in my opinion, the best marketing books for small business owners to start really learning how to position themselves for success in your industry!
If you are brand spanking new to entrepreneurship, I would suggest Marketing Made Simple – easy to digest, easy to take action from and an enjoyable read.
Remember, there is a lot to learn when starting and growing a business so stay in learner mode! Be ok saying, “I don’t know” and be open to learning wherever you can.
And if you want more small business marketing how-to, follow me over on Instagram and Threads or join my email list for weekly learning delivered right to your inbox!
Happy marketing!
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But I only recommend or suggest products I have used and loved!
