I know you’re already engaged to that true crime book club with shelley from accounting (side note: she doesn’t really “love serial killers” does she?) but… if you’ll excuse me, be so bold: in fact, I have another book club that I’d love to organize you with.
… well, I guess technically it’s less of a club and more of a really fascinating reading list, perfect for a social media manager who wants to level up. but still. I think it’s a perfect combination.
You are reading: Social media management books
do not rush to read the biography of ted bundy that the artist chose this month. just relevant, impactful and inspiring books that will really make you better at your job every day. Plus, these books will spark even more passion and enthusiasm for what you do.
sound good? then this is the low pressure, low murder book club for you. read on to continue reading.
10 of the best social media marketing books
1. the end of marketing: humanizing your brand in the era of social media and artificial intelligence by carlos gil
rip, traditional marketing. We live in a world where YouTubers get more impressions than Coca-Cola and politicians come to power through memes.
the end of marketing skips the classic stages of grieving and heads straight for acceptance. If you want to engage your audience, not just sell to them, this book (shortlisted for the 2020 Business Book Awards) is a good place to start.
This book covers:
- how to bring a human touch to the brand-customer relationship
- breaking the newsfeed algorithm
- building smarter payment strategy plans
2. See You Online: Building Your Small Business With Digital Marketing by Avery Swartz
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or the head of social media for a major global brand, there are great takeaways in this book from the CEO of camp tech.
The reality is that social networks do not exist in a bubble. see you online is a great reminder that your social strategy should be symbiotic with the rest of your online presence. your website, newsletter, and online advertising are all part of the package.
Also, I think we can all agree: having the waving hand emoji on the cover? adorable. And isn’t that what we all really want from a marketing book? be honest.
This book covers:
- modern social media etiquette
- custom content for readers and your friendly neighborhood seo bots
- the power of track and segment your audience for maximum impact
3. brand storytelling: put customers at the center of your brand story by miri rodriguez
Narrative does something magical to the human brain. And if every post you make is an opportunity to tell a microstory, you should take a cue from Microsoft’s own creative journalist (bar assistant?) Miri Rodriguez.
has compiled case study after case of big names like expedia, google and mcdonalds to pull off their own brand magic act. ta da!
This book covers:
- how to harness storytelling to evoke emotions
- assess, dismantle and reconstruct your brand story
- why AI and machine learning can’t do it all
4. get sh*t done: the definitive guide to productivity, procrastination, and profitability by jeffrey gitomer
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As a social media manager, you’re wearing a lot of hats (I hope it’s not a fedora, but I digress).
is planning and executing campaigns. you are interacting with the fans. You’re convincing your sales people that, no, you can’t just get Ryan Reynolds to endorse your new line of vitamins. along with all the other things a social media manager has on their to-do list, you just have to make the most of each day.
Consider this book the motivation you need to get through your to-do list effectively and efficiently. (ignore the curse in the title, mom!)
This book covers:
- optimize your work habits
- create a comprehensive plan to maximize productivity
- how to eliminate distractions and avoid procrastination
5. Social Media Marketing Workbook: How To Use Social Media For Business (2020 Updated Edition) By Jason McDonald
jason mcdonald, author and stanford professor (well, stanford professor of continuing studies, but still), annually publishes a new version of this social media workbook. His metaphor remains the same, year after year: If social media is a party, as a social media marketer, you’re the gracious host.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating the entertainment (also known as content) that will keep the party going.
This book covers:
- Conceptualize the content you need
- Create a personalized social media marketing plan
- Develop a deep understanding of each unique social platform
6. faster, smarter, stronger: commanding attention in a noisy digital marketplace by aaron agius and gian clancey
Okay, let’s go back to this party metaphor for a second. if social media is, in fact, a soiree, it’s definitely one where all the guests are loudmouth extroverts.
Brands that specialize in silent geniuses are likely to get stuck in the proverbial bowl of potato chips, unnoticed.
get rowdy with the help of this strategic guide that teaches brands how to generate visibility and demand. it’s basically an 80’s movie makeover montage to teach you how to be the life of the party
This book covers:
- find an industry-proven strategy with lots of research to back it up
- go beyond seo and hype to deliver authentic value
- get attention that your brand deserves
7. run with the foxes: make better marketing decisions by paul dervan
let’s face it: social media marketing is more art than science.
Despite all the strategizing, planning, and data mining we do, there really is no foolproof approach to engagement. if there was, there probably wouldn’t be 10 new books to read on how to do it every season.
paul dervan, formerly global brand director for indeed, is candid about the uncertainty of it all. “This is not an answer book,” he tells him right away.
what he does promises is a book full of lessons he and several dozen other marketers (who are cunning foxes) have learned throughout their careers.
This book covers:
- The secrets to making better decisions
- Lessons from mistakes big and small
- First-hand advice from some of the world’s biggest salespeople
8. fanocracy: turning fans into customers and customers into fans by david meerman scott and reiko scott
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It’s like the old proverb goes: if you post a photo on instagram and you don’t have fans to see it, did it happen?
The wall street journal bestseller of a father and daughter team (obviously, marketing genius runs in the family) focuses on building engagement, loyalty, and even a loving connection with their audience or customers.
This book covers:
- how to harness the power of fandom through social psychology
- build personal relationships with your followers
- the impact of a meaningful corporate culture
9. digital trust: social media strategies to increase trust and attract customers by barry connelly
what do successful relationships and buying something on instagram have in common? it’s about trust.
If your audience doesn’t trust your brand, you’ll never be able to generate engagement. you may not be able to go to therapy with your clients (why isn’t esther perel returning my calls?), but you can build a social strategy around a strong and dedicated brand identity.
This book covers:
- how to strengthen customer trust through social media
- enabling transparency and consumer empowerment
- practical tools to build and leverage trust
10. Everybody Writes: Your Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
You may be a social media manager on paper, but ultimately your job is to write. surprise!
That’s why everyone writes remains on our recommended reading list, year after year.
In our content-driven world, communication skills are essential in any outward-facing position. “Our online words are currency,” says Handley. “They tell our customers who we are.”
great communication is a classic skill that will always be valuable, spanning time, space and whatever comes after twitter.
This book covers:
- why it’s important to write more now, not less
- easy grammar rules and writing tips
- the basics of great content marketing
Are you done devouring these 10 essential books for social media marketers? The good news for this little book club is that things change and evolve daily in the world of social media. more exciting expert information is always coming through the pipe. just stay tuned.
In the meantime, consider this mini-library for inspiration to demonstrate your own social media genius. maybe with what you learn along the way, you’ll be writing the next book for our must-read list.
Reading is great, but putting your new skills to use is even better. Easily manage all of your social channels, collect real-time data, and engage with your audience across all networks with HootSuite. try it for free today.
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