7 Books Every Marketing Student Should Read

Do you know that only 10% of people prefer to read a book rather than watch TV? Unfortunately, this trend negatively affects the quality of education and knowledge sharing. Nonetheless, for those who love reading, the selection of books is now richer than ever.

As the heading suggests, we will talk specifically about the books that will be useful to marketing specialists. However, knowing some marketing tricks won’t be a burden for every adult. Modern marketing techniques are at the intersection of creativity, innovation, and psychology, so it’s better to know what kind of trap marketers try to hook you into.

It’s hard to find a company that wouldn’t need a marketing team today. Except for monopolies, marketing drives sales and makes brands famous.

Let’s take an essay writing company as an example. No one would know that they can order essay on EssayHub if its marketing team didn’t promote the services Internet-wide. On the contrary, by creating a brand image, encouraging word of mouth, and reaching out to potential customers with promotional emails, the company builds its customer base and grows its profits.

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However, let’s get to the books. Below are a few masterpieces that are definitely worth your attention.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

In this book, the author discusses the impact of influence and persuasion on our psychology and especially our purchasing behavior. He studies why people say “yes” so easily after a few minutes of talking with a skilled marketer or sales professional.

Cialdini researches the depths of the psychology behind persuasion. He also tells a few tricks to break the vicious cycle and stay in control. Everyone in marketing will find this reading interesting.

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

Many businesses aim not only to acquire a customer but to retain them. Selling one product is good, but forming a habit of using them is even better.

But it’s not companies who achieve this. There are many talented people behind the scenes who create a great product but also communicate a vision that resonates with the customer.

Creating and marketing products in a way that would make customers come back is hard work. A client who keeps returning is the best award a cross-functional team can achieve.

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Social Media and Viral Marketing to Reach Buyers Directly by David Scott

Social media created lots of opportunities for marketing and sales. People joining Instagram, Facebook, or other social media willingly share data marketers would die for a decade ago. Their algorithms filter users to present only those ads that meet their interests and inquiries.

How Brands Become Icons by Douglas B. Holt

History knows a few dozens of brands that became iconic. Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Nike, Ford, and others – all of them are more than just companies. They all used marketing techniques that were risky and untraditional for their time – and succeeded.

The author claims that success comes to those who take risks and act boldly. Untraditional is always interesting to customers. So, if used by skilled people, unconventional branding strategies promise lots of success.

Contagious, Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger

Have you ever thought about why certain things get so deep in your memory that you can’t forget them even if you want to? Why can’t you help signing a song you heard commuting to work?

Some things become contagious to us. If they are contagious to many, they become viral. But why does some information become viral while another does not? This is the question Berger explores in his book.

Designing Brand Identity by Alina Wheeler

Great brands invest a lot in aligning their strategy, design, and copywriting. They make sure all of it is consistent and has the same appeal. If a customer intuitively spots any disorganization, a brand may lose its trust.

Comprehensive marketing is marketing that focuses on details. There is no such thing as hurry when it comes to brand image, identity, and voice. Alina Wheeler managed to explain this like no other.

Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout

Yet, marketing is not everything. You can market your product well, but you can still fail if you don’t study competitors, demographics, and trends. Positioning is definitive for product sales success. Before you attack, you need to find the right market to do that.

The authors of this book focused in detail on positioning tricks and tips. This book is indeed a master class of positioning strategies, which are great for both newbies and pros.

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Takeaway

These items are just a humble extract from a long list of great marketing books that are available. The industry is full of literature; you just need to pick the right one for yourself.

These seven titles, however, are unquestionable leaders. Choose one and share your thoughts!