Often, there is no better way to learn about a subject than to read a good book. This is certainly true when looking for marketing tips, tricks, and strategies that your small business can use. In fact, small business marketing books can bring you huge financial returns for a minimal investment.
Of course, some small business marketing books will no doubt be a waste of time and money. they may not provide actionable information or may simply contain bad advice. To help you find the best small business marketing books, we’ve compiled this top 16 list.
You are reading: Marketing for small business books
1. the 22 immutable laws of marketing: violate them at your own risk
In The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, authors Al Ries and Jack Trout laid out a list of rules that all small business owners must follow to build a successful brand. Both authors are marketing strategists and use their own experience to provide expert advice. Although the book was first published in 1994, all of the advice is still very relevant today.
2. building a brand story: make your message clear so customers hear it
another book that lays out clear rules to follow is building a brand story. Author Donald Miller presents seven universal story points that he can use to make your products, services, and brand as a whole more appealing to potential customers. he learns why customers choose to make a purchase and how to use this to his advantage by improving his messaging in all types of communication with users.
3. Insider Secrets: The Underground Manual To Turn Your Online Visitors Into Customers For Life
russell brunson is a co-founder of clickfunnels and a highly successful entrepreneur. In Expert Secrets, he teaches readers how to best convert leads into loyal customers by using the right message in funnels.
4. embrace your haters: how to accept complaints and keep your customers
Customer service is now more important than ever in small business marketing because to stand out from the crowd, you have to deliver a great experience. In Hug Your Haters, Jay Baer explains how to maintain great customer service in the toughest of circumstances: when you’re up against haters.
5. predictable prospecting: how to radically increase your b2b sales pipeline
b2b companies have completely different needs than consumer brands. Learn everything you need to know about developing a successful prospecting strategy by reading Predictable Prospecting. Marylou Tyler and co-author Jeremy Donovan walk you through the steps of effective prospecting, starting with identifying prospects and ending with generating regular income.
6. the ultimate small business marketing book
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everything you need to know about small business marketing is in the ultimate small business marketing book. Since author Dee Blick has worked with small businesses in every industry, you’ll find that you can apply the advice in this book to your business no matter your industry or niche. In addition to actionable information, the book includes case studies to show how the tactics have worked in the real world.
7. the leading machine: the small business guide to digital marketing
If your struggles lie with digital marketing, you’ll find some great information on the main machine. Rich Brooks lays out what he calls the essential elements of digital marketing: Build, Attract, Retain, and Evaluate. The book is easy enough to understand even if you have no digital marketing experience, and the information is applicable to any entrepreneur looking to start an email, social media, or SEO marketing campaign.
8. The Power of Bankruptcy: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage
You probably know Daymond John from Shark Tank, but you may not be familiar with the story of how he achieved success. The Power of Bankruptcy details John’s journey from selling t-shirts on the streets to building a multi-million dollar brand. The book also tells the stories of other entrepreneurs who started out with no money and succeeded.
9. The Zen of Social Media Marketing: An Easier Way to Build Credibility, Build Buzz, and Increase Revenue
when you think of social media marketing, zen is probably the last thing that comes to mind. Author Shama Hyder is here to show you why you’re wrong. the zen of social media marketing teaches readers how to take the stress out of social media marketing and benefit from the full potential of social platforms.
10. millionaire marketing on a shoestring budget: how to attract a steady stream of satisfied customers, make more money, and live your dream
Have you ever felt that mainstream marketing tactics are too expensive for your business and wondered what you can do? You will find the information on marketing millionaire on a shoestring budget to be extremely valuable. debra jason outlines numerous profitable ways to market your business, all of which are simple enough to put into action right away.
11. Content: The Atomic Particle of Marketing: The Ultimate Guide to Content Marketing Strategy
nothing is more important than content in digital marketing. however, implementing a content strategy is one of the most challenging aspects of marketing for small businesses. Rebecca Lieb, author and industry thought leader, uses her in-depth research and interviews to bring you expert content advice: the atomic particle of marketing. She will not only learn how to use content to her advantage, but she will also discover how content should be part of her broader marketing strategy.
12. small business marketing for dummies
the series for dummies has gained great popularity because it is easy to understand even if you have no prior knowledge of the subject. small business marketing for dummies is no different. barbara findlay schenck provides entrepreneurs just starting out with all the information they need to carry out a successful marketing strategy.
13. The PR Masterclass: How to Develop a PR Strategy That Works!
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the author alex singleton worked as a journalist before becoming a public relations coach. In the PR Masterclass, Singleton teaches small business owners and entrepreneurs how to implement a PR strategy, no matter their budget.
14. Growth Marketing Hacker: An Introduction to the Future of Public Relations, Marketing, and Advertising
growth hacking involves a completely new approach to marketing. In fact, it has proven its worth for some of today’s biggest names like Facebook, Uber, and Udemy. Ryan Holiday explains how you can use such tactics in growth hacker marketing. The book also includes case studies of small businesses that have used growth hacking to their advantage.
15. Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence, and How You Can Too
influencer marketing can take your brand from unknown to social media superstar. Crush it! You’ll learn how to build your personal brand to grow your business or idea. Author Gary Vaynerchuk has some unique tips to help you.
16. 20 Simple Shortcuts to Small Business Success: Marketing, Mindset, Money, and Productivity Tips to Help You Run Your Business Better
If you want a quick read, 20 Simple Shortcuts to Small Business Success is a great choice. Using her personal experience, Kelly Exeter provides marketing advice that doesn’t involve complex strategies and isn’t expensive or time-consuming, but allows you to run your business in a way that fits your lifestyle.
bonus: audiobooks and podcasts
If you find you retain information better by listening than reading, or if you don’t have time to sit down with a book, you can always listen to small business marketing audiobooks. You’ll find just about every previous small business marketing book on Audible. then you can listen at times like on your journey. if you’re short on time, you can even use an app like blinkist, which summarizes books in 15 minutes.
Another alternative to reading small business marketing books is to listen to podcasts. the benefit of this is that the information is always up to date and you will always have new episodes to listen to. Some of the best small business marketing podcasts include:
- marketing with coffee: every week, hosts discuss the latest trends in marketing.
- online marketing made simple: discover new ways to market your business online. Each episode features practical advice, geared specifically toward small businesses.
- Social Media Marketing: A podcast social media examiner, listen to expert interviews, learn about new strategies, and hear case studies on small businesses like yours.
- buffer’s social media science: Another release from a major name in digital marketing, the buffer team uses this podcast to answer listeners’ questions about small business marketing.
- marketing buddy: Learning about small business marketing doesn’t have to be serious all the time. this podcast uses comedy to teach you everything there is to know about digital business.
All of these important small business marketing books were written by experts in the field and provide invaluable advice. Whether you’re just launching your small business, want support to overcome a particular marketing challenge, or are just looking for inspiration, you can find exactly what you need in the best small business marketing books.
further reading
If you want to add more books to your reading list, another great topic to explore is business communication. Check out our list of the best books to improve communication skills for some suggestions. do you want even more? We also have a list of life changing books and books to improve your time management skills.