50 Content Marketing Books to Boost your Marketing in 2022
With the right content marketing books, you can keep your skills sharp and stay competitive in the industry. Even so, sometimes picking the right book out of hundreds of books can be challenging. Which books will give you the right skills to boost your brand? Which books will cater to your industry?
Given that there are so many books out there, we’ve curated a list of the top 50 content marketing books for you to read in 2022. We know you’re always busy creating content, so you might not have time to read all 50 books. To make your life easier, we’ve separated these into 10 books that you absolutely must read, and 40 that you can read to supplement the first 10.
Even with this list, choosing the best books for your specific role won’t be easy. For this reason, we’ve included a short summary of each book, so that you know what each of them has to offer.
Once you’ve brushed up on your skills with these content marketing books, give your content creation process a boost as well by signing up for Kontely. With Kontely, you and your team can create content faster and then publish it to several channels at once – all from one place. Join Kontely today and streamline your content workflow to collaborate while producing and publishing content faster for your clients.
10 content marketing books that you absolutely must read
The following 10 content marketing books have been chosen specifically because they are the most highly acclaimed books of the lot. Not only are they written by the best content marketers, but they also include revolutionary advice which will really boost your content marketing efforts.
1) Epic Content Marketing: How to Tell a Different Story, Break Through the Clutter and Win More Customers by Marketing Less
Author: Joe Pulizzi
In this book, Joe Pulizzi talks about how to create content that will stand out in a digital space ruled by information overload and clutter. As one of the world’s leading content marketers, Pulizzi has developed a collection of tricks that you can use to capture attention among your target audience and inspire action.
Why you should read it:
Why is this book #1 in our list of content marketing books? In today’s world, people are wary of advertisements that promise the sun and the moon. They don’t like being told what to do either.
Because of this, it’s important to connect with your target audience in a meaningful way. You need to be able to drive these people to a particular action in a way that leaves them feeling inspired rather than manipulated to take this action.
If you want to build genuine connections with your customers, then Epic Content Marketing is the book for you. In this book, Pulizzi guides you through what it takes to create content that entertains your audiences. Moreover, he includes case studies of how John Deere, LEGO, Coca Cola, and other well-known brands have built outstanding content marketing campaigns.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Epic Content Marketing here.
2) They Ask, You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today’s Digital Customer
Author: Marcus Sheridan
In They Ask You Answer, Marcus Sheridan offers an ingenious approach to content marketing. Rather than focusing on selling to people, Sheridan believes we should answer the questions they’re asking. As someone who transformed himself from a struggling entrepreneur to an inbound marketing guru, he knows thing or two about building trust with your clients.
Why you should read it:
This book features in our top 10 content marketing books for good reason. Gone are the days when traditional ads, keyword stuffing, and link building were all you needed to reach your target audience. In fact, if these are the only tactics you rely on, then your marketing strategy is likely to fall flat. Since so many people distrust traditional marketing these days, Sheridan’s book focuses on showing you how to create quality content that your target audience wants so that you can build trust with potential clients.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of They Ask, You Answer here.
3) Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content
Author: Ann Handley
With wit and insight, Ann Handley uses Everybody Writes to teach her readers how to create quality content which people will want to read. According to Handley, whether you’re building your brand website, interacting with clients on social media, or drafting marketing copy, your words matter.
Why you should read it:
Out of all our content marketing books, this is the best one to help you write better. Since we’re all writers, there’s a lot we can learn from Handley. Words have immense power – they can make the difference between retaining a customer and sending them running in the opposite direction. Handley’s book is an enjoyable six-part course on how to create content that will leave your readers wanting more. It’s divided into 1) How to write better 2) Writing rules 3) Story rules 4) Publishing rules 5) Things marketers write, and includes a list of content tools to help you produce outstanding content.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Everybody Writes here.
4) What to Post: How to Create Engaging Social Media Content that Builds your Brand and Gets Results
Author: Chelsea Peitz
If you’re used to abandoning marketing guides halfway, then Chelsea Peitz’s book will surprise you with advice you can refer to again and again. From building a memorable brand to creating relatable content and boosting your reach, Peitz covers everything you could possibly need to market your real estate business.
Why you should read it:
What to Post is on our list of content marketing books because it will help you boost your social media presence. If you don’t know what to post on social media to boost engagement and make genuine connections with your audience, then this is the book for you. Filled with tons of relatable examples and actionable tips, What to Post will transform you from a social media novice to a social media guru. Peitz even includes some blank pages where she guides you through brainstorming sessions. While it’s written for real estate marketers, the tips in this book can be applied to any industry.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of What to Post here.
5) The Practice: Shipping Creative Work
Author: Seth Godin
The Practice is the key to discovering the most creative version of yourself. In this book, Seth Godin busts several myths about creativity and productivity and shows us how to consistently create quality content.
Why you should read it:
Seth Godin’s books will feature in this list of content marketing books a few times, and with good reason. As a content creator himself, Godin can teach us a lot about how to produce content that turns heads and leaves a lasting impression. If you’re the kind of person who often battles writer’s block or perfectionism, then this is just what you need to help you push through those moments when you feel uninspired.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Practice here.
6) Become a Content Brand: Build a Team, Own your Audience, and Create Video your Customers will Love
Author: Chris Carter
Chris Carter has spent years helping 180 brands with their content creation and building a network of over 150,000 creators, filmmakers, editors, and marketers around the world. This experience has made him realize the growing demand for video but also the fact that no single brand can keep up with this demand. He wrote this book to help brands produce quality videos that can make a splash.
Why you should read it:
Out of all our content marketing books, this is the only one that focuses specifically on videos. These days, we’re drowning in new content from brands every day. Instead of struggling to keep up with this constant flood of content, Carter shows you how to create quality content that will stand out from your competition. Do you want to learn how to create truly memorable videos? Then this is the book for you.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Become a Content Brand here.
7) Content that Converts: How to Create a Profitable and Predictable B2B Content Marketing Strategy
Author: Laura Hanly
Laura Hanly taps into her experience to show people how to use content marketing to generate a predictable stream of qualified leads. Her methods have yielded positive results in the past and are easily replicable by any brand.
Why you should read it:
Do you need help attracting more leads to your brand and converting these leads into paying customers? Then it’s a good thing that Content that Converts is in our list of content marketing books because this is the book for you. Hanly covers everything from establishing the right target audience to creating quality content that will establish you as a thought leader in your industry. Rather than recycling content marketing tips from other content marketing gurus, Hanly fills her book with strategies that have actually worked for her own campaigns.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Content that Converts here.
8) Content: The Atomic Particle of Marketing
Author: Rebecca Lieb
Inspired by years of qualitative research and interviews with leading brands, Rebecca Lieb’s book is written to help you produce engaging social media content. Written by an industry thought leader, the content covered in this book should help anyone build a comprehensive content marketing strategy.
Why you should read it:
Lieb’s book is just the thing you need if you want to create an integrated marketing strategy. The comprehensive nature of this book is the reason it’s in our top 10 content marketing books. Backing her ideas up with examples, graphs, and case studies, Lieb has created a foolproof guide to building a content-centric brand. If you want to build a memorable brand that thrives on quality content, then you need to get a copy of this book ASAP.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Content: The Atomic Particle of Marketing here.
9) The Lead Machine: The Small Business Guide to Digital Marketing
Author: Rich Brooks
In this book, Rich Brooks shares his digital marketing secrets. From teaching brands how to rank higher on Google to showing content creators how to generate higher engagement on social media, Brooks has tips for digital marketers of every level.
Why you should read it:
If you own a small to medium-sized business and you’re keen on marketing the business and generating leads, then this book will help you meet those challenges head-on. With a combination of humour and insightful advice, Brooks helps you through building a website, attracting the right people, and converting these leads into sales.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Lead Machine here.
10) Superfans: The Easy Way to Stand Out, Grow your Tribe, and Build a Successful Business
Author: Pat Flynn
In a world where people are constantly chasing likes and followers, Pat Flynn uses this book to remind us that a small engaged audience is better than a large apathetic audience. His book is a series of tips and tricks to help you engage with your audience and turn them into superfans.
Why you should read it:
This book scored a place in our top 10 content marketing books because it will help you transform your social media strategy dramatically. Your regular audience members will like your social media pages and maybe even buy a product or two here and there. Even so, it is the audience members who feel seen and heard who will truly become your brand ambassadors. These people will not only tell their friends and family about you, and share positive reviews online. They will also send you encouraging messages during a low-peak season and share your social media posts with their online network. We know you want to turn your target audience into superfans (who wouldn’t?) so this one is definitely for you.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Superfans here.
As we’ve already said, the above are our 10 most highly recommended content marketing books. If you don’t have time to read all the 50 books on our list, then you should at least squeeze in some time for these 10 books.
More content marketing books for your bookshelf:
On top of the 10 content marketing books which you absolutely must read, here are more to supplement your reading.
11) Clout: The Art and Science of Influential Web Content
Author: Coleen Jones
Coleen Jones uses 8 principles of influence in this book to demonstrate how to create content that converts. According to Jones, using fancy technology and designing pretty content doesn’t cut it if you want to convert your leads into sales.
Why you should read it:
As a content creator, it’s easy to focus on producing aesthetically pleasing content and using the newest technology to blow your audience away. However, Jones forces us to pause and understand why content is so important to your consumers and how to create content that truly meets their needs. This book will help you create the content your audience craves, thus creating a genuine connection with them.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Clout here.
11) F*ck Content Marketing: Focus on Content Experience to Drive Demand, Revenue & Relationships
Author: Randy Frisch
Randy Frisch believes that the most successful brands in the world don’t simply do content marketing. Rather, they focus on creating content experiences – picture the immersive scrolling experience created by Netflix, Spotify and Instagram.
Why you should read it:
Do you want your consumers to feel like you’re speaking directly to them in all your content marketing? Want them to forget where reality ends and your marketing begins? Then this is the book for you. Frisch has designed this book to teach content marketers how to use the Content Experience Framework to design personalized content which will drive demand for your product and build relationships with your clients.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of F#ck Content Marketing here.
13) Master Content Strategy: How to Maximize your Reach & Boost your Bottom Line Every Time you Hit Publish
Author: Pamela Wilson
Instead of producing an endless stream of low-quality content, Pamela Wilson teaches us how to create the best possible content for each stage of growth. As a business owner, marketing consultant, and thought leader, Wilson has practical tips which can be applied in both a B2B and a B2C setting.
Why you should read it:
In this book, Pamela Wilson will guide you through the different stages of creating truly valuable content for your audience. What makes this book stand out from the list is the fact that it will teach you how the needs of your newly-launched blog will change as it grows older. Instead of offering cookie-cutter advice, this book will grow with you and your business.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Master Content Strategy here.
14) Brand Identity Breakthrough: How to Craft Your Company’s Unique Story to Make Your Products Irresistible
Author: Gregory V. Diehl
Gregory V. Diehl believes that every brand has a unique story to tell. Moreover, with every new product, you carve out a more specialized niche in your industry. Diehl is passionate about helping content marketers combine these elements to build a brand identity that stands out.
Why you should read it:
The lessons in this book will not only help you build a brand that your clients can trust. They will also help you to tell your brand story to the world in a memorable way. Diehl will show you how to be personable enough on your website, on your social media, and in your content to create a genuine relationship with your leads. Since it is only once this relationship happens that sales follow, your brand could definitely benefit from this book.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Brand Identity Breakthrough here.
15) Faster, Smarter, Louder: Master Attention in a Noisy Digital Market
Authors: Aaron Agius & Gián Clancey
In this book, Aaron Agius and Gián Clancey share secrets that helped them transform their two-person agency into a global leader in digital marketing. This book is filled with tips to help you cut through the noise and information overload, building a brand that is more visible, more long-lasting, and louder.
Why you should read it:
This book doesn’t simply present a list of successful marketing strategies. Agius and Clancey go beyond that to explain why these strategies were successful. This approach makes it easy for any content marketer to adapt the recommended strategies to their brand. With actionable how-tos and step-by-step instructions, this book is a great blueprint for anyone who is committed to excelling with their digital marketing.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Faster, Smarter, Louder here.
16) Storytelling: Manipulation of the Audience
Author: Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson believes that well-crafted stories build trust among your target audience, eventually inspiring action. His book is full of tips and tricks to help you tell the kind of stories that will leave your target audience excited about your brand.
Why you should read it:
Telling good stories can help you connect with your audience on an emotional level. If you want to have customers who are emotionally invested in your brand, then you need to pick up a copy of this book. Once you start using your content to tell powerful stories, your content marketing strategy will be much more effective.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Storytelling here.
17) The Context Marketing Revolution: How to Motivate Buyers in the Age of Infinite Media
Author: Mathew Sweezey
In this book, Mathew Sweezey describes our unique digital landscape where – for the first time – our customers have the power to create content themselves. He goes one step further to talk about how to go beyond traditional marketing strategies to break through the noise and reach these customers.
Why you should read it:
In a world where everyone with a smartphone is a content creator, traditional marketing just won’t cut it anymore. In fact, your traditional ads are more likely to be a bore or an annoyance to the people you’re trying to reach. This book will arm you with the strategies you need to break through the information overload and reach your target audience. Context is important – helping your customers meet a need in the moment. Once you realize that, you’ll be producing the kind of content your audience was always waiting for.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Context Marketing Revolution here.
18) Effective SEO and Content Marketing: The Ultimate Guide for Maximizing Free Web Traffic
Author: Nicholas Papagiannis
Since people assume content marketing is simply about producing quality content, SEO is an underrated part of content marketing. Papagiannis shows how optimizing your content can actually increase brand awareness and drive more people to your website.
Why you should read it:
If you need help understanding anything about SEO – from the basics of SEO to how to implement an effective SEO strategy – then this will be a good read for you. Many people assume that SEO only applies to your website or your blog. On the contrary, SEO is just as important on your social media channels. And Nicholas Papagiannis can show you exactly how to optimize these platforms.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Effective SEO and Content Marketing here.
19) The One-Page Content Marketing Blueprint: Launch a Content Marketing Strategy in 90 Days and Double your Inbound Traffic, Leads and Sales
Author: Prafull Sharma
This book will offer an eagle-eye view of how content marketing works, including what to expect at each step of the journey. This is a comprehensive guide on how all the elements of content marketing come together to build a strategy that works.
Why you should read it:
A Google search on “content marketing” will leave you overwhelmed and drowning in tips, strategies, and advice from different people. A lot of the time, these results are conflicting, and very rarely will one result give you an idea of how all the different parts of content marketing fit together. If you know the feeling, then you will definitely appreciate Prafull Sharma’s guide on how to build a content marketing strategy, piece by piece.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The One-Page Content Marketing Blueprint here.
20) Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins
Author: Mark Schaefer
Today, technology makes it easy for our customers to share recommendations with friends and family. As a result, most marketing happens without brands even getting involved. The consumer is the new marketer. Schaefer uses this book to show us how to be part of these conversations by appealing to the people initiating them.
Why you should read it:
This book will challenge your understanding of what it means to be a content marketer, and show you how to build genuine connections with your consumers. Today, the biggest brands succeed because they can create human impressions that help customers believe, belong, and find meaning. Don’t be left behind. With the right strategy, you can join the conversations your consumers are having and arm them with the information and passion they need to be your brand ambassadors. If you’d like to do this for your brand, then you need to get your hands on this book and join the marketing rebellion.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Marketing Rebellion here.
21) The Content Fuel Framework: How to Generate Unlimited Story Ideas
Author: Melanie Deziel
In this book, professional journalist and award-winning marketer Melanie Deziel shows you how to consistently produce engaging content. The framework she offers will give your brainstorming sessions the boost they need, helping you generate new ideas effortlessly.
Why you should read it:
Even the best content creator suffers from writer’s block or brain fog once in a while. With this book, you can forget about wondering what to post on your social media or waiting for that “big idea” to boost your content. The Content Fuel Framework is built to help storytellers from any industry come up with fresh and unique ideas, anytime and anywhere.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Content Fuel Framework here.
22) Pre-suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade
Author: Robert Cialdini
According to this New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, it is not your message that influences people and changes minds. Rather, it’s the moment before you deliver your message that has the most power to drive action.
Why you should read it:
Cialdini believes that optimal persuasion can only happen after sufficient pre-suasion. For this reason, his book focuses on how to prepare your audience to be receptive of your message, before you even deliver it. If you’d like to understand how to use diversion to prepare your audience to say “yes” to your brand, then this book will be your new best friend.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Pre-suasion here.
23) Content Inc: How Entrepreneurs Use Content to Build Massive Audiences and Create Radically Successful Businesses
Author: Joe Pulizzi
Our list of recommended content marketing books features a second book by Joe Pulizzi. As founder of the Content Marketing Institute, Joe Pulizzi definitely has the credentials to teach us how to be better content marketers. In this book, Pulizzi recommends a reversal of the traditional model where brands create a product first then look for an audience for it. Rather, he recommends that brands create content, build an audience around that content and then develop a product for that audience.
Why you should read it:
Building a product and trusting that you will find an audience for it is much easier said than done. Brands that do this gamble with both their money and investors’ funds. You can never guarantee that there will be an audience for your product once you’re done developing it. However, if you build an audience first, and then create content that encourages them to engage with you, then you are more likely to build a product that they want. Pulizzi shows you how to create the kind of content that will excite your audience and spark meaningful conversations.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Content Inc. here
24) The Content Code: Six Essential Strategies for Igniting Your Content, Your Marketing, and your Business
Author: Mark W. Schaefer
In The Content Code, Mark Schaefer shares six digital secrets to help content marketers master their content promotion and distribution. Moreover, he teaches readers how to optimize their content for the web.
Why you should read it:
In a world where too many brands are fighting over a limited attention span, Mark Schaefer teaches these brands how to create content that will encourage engagement. Beyond simply generating engagement, Schaefer’s formula helps brands to create content that will turn their audiences into fans who will then take over driving their content to new places. If you want to create content which your audience will be excited about, then this is a must-read.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Content Code here.
25) Talk Triggers: The Complete Guide to Creating Customers with Word of Mouth
Authors: Jae Baer & Daniel Lemin
According to marketing experts Baer and Lemin, word-of-mouth advertising is directly or indirectly responsible for 90% of all purchases. Their book is designed to teach brands how to reach people who love to talk and turn them into brand ambassadors – at no extra cost to the brand.
Why you should read it:
We all rely on word of mouth from friends and family to make buying decisions. Ironically enough, fewer than 1% of companies have built a strategy for inspiring customers to do word-of-mouth advertising for them. Talk Triggers provides that strategy in a compelling, relevant, timely book. This is a relatable strategy that can be implemented immediately, by any business.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Talk Triggers here.
26) Storynomics: Story-Driven Marketing in a Post-Advertising World
Authors: Robert McKee & Thomas Gerace
In this book, Robert McKee partners with Skyword CEO Tom Gerace to create a formula for story-driven marketing. This solution is the perfect alternative to the interruptive advertising which our customers are fed up with.
Why you should read it:
People rarely ever click on pop-up ads anymore, so it’s time we found an alternative that works. Are you tired of annoying your target audience by jumping out at them and interrupting their browsing? Then this is the perfect read for you. Pick up a copy of this book and learn how to craft a brand story that your target audience will feel naturally drawn to.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Storynomics here.
27) Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life
Author: Rory Sutherland
In this book, Ogilvy advertising legend Rory Sutherland decodes human behaviour and tells us how to create that magical formula that will draw customers to our products. This book is a treasure chest for the secrets to human decision-making.
Why you should read it:
Most human interactions involve marketing, even if it’s not obvious. Sutherland analyses human interactions – from the every day to the weird – in order to explain why humans behave the way they do. By examining human behaviour on such a fundamental level, brands everywhere can learn to create content that appeals to the human mind.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Alchemy here.
28) Stories that Stick: How Storytelling can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences, and Transform your Business
Author: Kindra Hall
You already know the power storytelling has to help you connect with your audience and convert leads. But do you know the right stories to tell? In Stories that Stick Kindra Hall helps us to decide which stories are worth telling, and to whom.
Why you should read it:
Storytelling seems simple in theory, but it can be hard to craft a story that your audience will truly connect with. If you struggle to connect with customers, build trust with investors and inspire your audiences, then this is the solution you never knew you needed.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Stories that Stick here.
29) The Copyeditors Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications
Authors: Amy Einsohn & Marilyn Schwartz
Schwartz and Einsohn have developed this guide for both new fingers and seasoned copyeditors looking to sharpen their skills. This workbook includes the latest advice from language authorities and recognizes shifts that are taking place in 21st-century copyediting.
Why you should read it:
If you write for a living, then you absolutely need this book. Schwartz and Einsohn have thought of everything you could possibly need, from help writing for global audience to working with authors who write in English as a second language. The writers have also added a dash of humour, and interesting anecdotes for language-lovers, including a history of punctuation marks that didn’t make the cut.
Where to find it:
Buy your copy of The Copyeditor’s Handbook here.
30) The End of Marketing: Humanizing your Brand in the Age of Social Media and AI
Author: Carlos Gil
This book helps brands navigate the murky waters of social media, where a single influencer can easily get more views a day than Apple. Carlos Gil explains how brands can stay relevant in a world where traditional marketing as we know it is dead.
Why you should read it:
Today’s consumers don’t want to be sold to. Rather, they want to be engaged by the brands clamouring for their attention. Building engagement should be a priority for every brand in this digital landscape. By buying this book, you’re putting the formula for generating positive engagement with your audience in your own hands.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The End of Marketing here.
31) Words that Change Minds: The 14 Patterns for Mastering the Language of Influence
Author: Shelle Rose Charvet
This book digs into the science of influence to teach readers how to use their words to persuade people without manipulating them. It’s perfect for sales, marketing, recruiting, negotiation, teaching, training, communication at work, and conflict resolution.
Why you should read it:
As a content marketer, everyone you talk to has a “communication wall” built around them. This wall is designed to keep out the big bad marketer who is notorious for promising the sun and the moon but delivering a rock instead. If you want to get through to even the most stubborn of people, then you need to buy this book.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Words that Change Minds here.
32) Building a Story Brand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen
Author: Donald Miller
Building a Story Brand is a great solution for entrepreneurs who struggle to talk about their brand to audiences. Donald Miller shares lessons on how to craft the perfect message for your website, your brochures, and your social media.
Why you should read it:
Building a brand story that excites your audience is a crucial part of content marketing. You can learn to do this with Donald Miller’s book. By sharing the seven universal story points humans respond to and the real reason customers make purchases, Miller will transform how you talk about your brand.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Building a Story Brand here.
33) Content Strategy for the Web
Author: Kristina Halvorson
In this book, Halvorson explains why content is such an important part of your marketing strategy, and how to make it work for your brand. This book offers a refreshing break from content marketing books which simply focus on design by putting the focus on quality content.
Why you should read it:
A beautiful website is great, but it means nothing without creative and engaging content. This book will teach you how to combine the aesthetics of your content with valuable information in a beautiful harmony which will appeal to your audience. Don’t get stuck on beautiful designs while neglecting your content. Offer your target audience the best of both worlds and they will stick with you.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of “Content Strategy for the Web” here.
34) Binge Marketing: The Best Scenario for Building your Brand
Author: Carljin Postma
In this book, Carljin Postma takes us to the people who have turned capturing and retaining an audience’s attention into an art: Hollywood. Since Hollywood has been getting people hooked on engaging content for decades, this is a good place to go for content marketing advice.
Why you should read it:
As content marketers, we often make the mistake of looking at each piece of content as a separate piece. In Binge Marketing Postma encourages us to think of each new piece of content as a new episode in a TV show. By creating this kind of serial content, you can foster trust and build genuine long-term relationships with your audience.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Binge Marketing here.
35) Killing Marketing: How Innovative Businesses are Turning Marketing Cost into Profit
Authors: Joe Pulizzi & Robert Rose
Pulizzi and Rose take us behind the scenes to innovative marketing departments around the world, showing us how they are ending marketing as we know it. Their new marketing model is so successful because it focuses on consumer needs.
Why you should read it:
If you can create value for your consumers through your owned media and savvy content marketing, then you will boost brand loyalty and reach wider audiences. This book will show you how to do just that, in a way that will help you transform your marketing from a cost centre to a profit machine.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Killing Marketing here.
36) Integrated Marketing Communications: Putting it Together & Making it Work
Authors: Don E. Schultz, Stanley Tannenbaum & Robert E. Lauterborn
According to this book, every part of your business formula can be replicated – except your content marketing. Don E. Schultz and his colleagues are committed to helping brands produce outstanding content which meets the needs of their consumers.
Why you should read it:
You might have an amazing product, but your content is what truly helps you build a unique brand image and stay top of mind among your target audience. If you want to create content that stands out, then this book is just what you need.
Where to find it:
Buy your copy of Integrated Marketing Communications here.
37) The Social Organism: A Radical Understanding of Social Media to Transform your Business and Life
Authors: Oliver Luckett & Michael Casey
In this book, Luckett and Casey make a fascinating comparison between social media and the biology of an organism. They explain how we can use our social media content to take part in the evolution of information on these platforms.
Why you should read it:
Do you know how to create shareable content which can go viral? It might seem easy when you see other brands doing it. Even so, developing viral content takes a lot of time and understanding of your audience. This book shows you how to tap into your consumers’ social DNA and create content which they will replicate and share for you, over and over again.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Social Organism here.
38) The Best Damn Web Marketing Checklist, Period!
Author: Stoney deGeyter
The title of this book speaks for itself – it’s the ultimate guide to help you boost your digital marketing. Packed with website strategies, reading this book will help you not only increase your web traffic but also improve your web presence.
Why you should read it:
Designing an effective website isn’t simply about slapping pretty colours on it and leaving it at that. It’s important to focus on elements that will be loved both by search engines and your target audience. Stoney deGeyter’s checklist covers web marketing strategies for areas including design considerations, site architecture, conversion optimization, website optimization (SEO), website advertising (pay per click or PPC), content writing, and social media strategy.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Best Damn Marketing Checklist, Period! here.
39) Top of Mind: Use Content to Unleash Your Influence and Engage those who Matter to you
Author: John Hall
John Hall uses his experience to teach readers how to build content-driven relationships which keep your brand top of mind among consumers. With the tips in this book, you will be able to make a lasting influence on your target audience.
Why you should read it:
The most loyal customers are those who see you as a trusted friend and Hall teaches you how to build this relationship with your consumers. Successful businesses do so well because they are the first brands that come to mind when customers think of a particular product. If you want to rise in the ranks and join these brands, then give Top of Mind a read.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Top of Mind here.
40) Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals and Strengthen Retention
Author: John Ruhlin
If you’ve never thought of using gift-giving to boost your brand and connect with potential clients and influencers, then the concepts in this book will surprise you. Ruhlin believes that something as simple as a hand-written note could be what brightens someone’s day and seals a deal.
Why you should read it:
You might not have realized this before, but branded gifts can actually boost your content marketing efforts. The trick is to give your prospect a gift which they need exactly when they need it. John Ruhlin teaches his readers how to master the art of gift-giving. By learning to give thoughtful gifts, you can boost brand awareness and build brand loyalty.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Giftology here.
41) Powering Content: Building a Nonstop Content Marketing Machine
Author: Laura Busche
When your new product is ready to launch, you want to shout about it from the treetops. But how do you create content which will shout loud enough to be heard above the noise and clutter? Well, you can start by reading this book.
Why you should read it:
You might have developed the best product in the world, but if your audience isn’t excited about your brand, then your marketing efforts will fail. With Busche’s guide, you can learn to create content with which your audience can relate, therefore speaking directly to your customers and inspiring them to take action.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Powering Content here.
42) Brand Now: How to Stand out in a Crowded, Distracted World
Author: Nick Westergaard
You would think that with the rise of technology it would be easier than ever to share the good news about your product, right? On the contrary, since smartphones have transformed everyone into a content creator, you need to find creative ways to break through the clutter. You can start by creating a memorable brand.
Why you should read it:
In this book, Westergaard explains how to build a brand that resonates both online and offline. Written with wit and insight, Brand Now will teach you how to give your brand an unforgettable personality that your target audience can connect with.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Brand Now here.
43) Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends, and Friends into Customers
Author: Seth Godin
According to Seth Godin, “Permission marketing is the privilege (not the right) of delivering anticipated, personal and relevant messages to people who actually want to get them.” In his book, he teaches brands how to create content that people will miss.
Why you should read it:
Imagine for a moment how good it would feel to be missed by a customer. A customer who actually picks the phone or sends you an email to complain that they didn’t get their newsletter this week. Any brand would dream of creating content that is missed by their audience. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Pick up a copy of Permission Marketing and learn how to create content that your clients cherish.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Permission Marketing here.
44) The Age of Influence: The Power of Influencers to Elevate your Brand
Author: Neal Schaffer
In The Age of Influence, Neal Schaffer explains the elements you need to create an effective influencer marketing strategy for your brand. A social media expert himself, Schaffer has lots of tips and tricks to help you navigate today’s constantly evolving digital landscape.
Why you should read it:
Influencer marketing is an important part of content marketing. This is because partnering with influencers helps you to create content which your audience can relate to. A good influencer marketing strategy will help you turn your audience into fans, subsequently turning these fans into influencers. If this sounds good to you, then you need to buy yourself a copy of this book.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Age of Influence here.
45) Brand New Name: An Unforgettable Brand Name
Author: Jeremy Miller
Jeremy Miller believes your brand name forms the foundation of your branding and content marketing efforts. With this book, you can create an unforgettable brand name that travels far and wide.
Why you should read it:
Your brand name is everything, it gives your brand a personality and helps keep your core product or service top of mind among your audience. It’s true that there are many content marketing books that focus on branding. Even so, this book will help you to build a truly exceptional brand that people enjoy connecting with.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Brand New Name here.
46) The Definitive Guide to Strategic Content Marketing: Perspectives, Issues, Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Justin Kirby & Lazar Džamić
This book is a collection of advice from content marketing experts all over the world. A treasure chest of theories, tips, and tricks, The Definitive Guide to Strategic Content Marketing is designed to educate content marketers of all levels and abilities.
Why you should read it:
Are you curious about the theories that have made content marketing work so well for brands today? With examples from brands all over the world, this book is just that. Understanding how content marketing theories have shaped today’s world of marketing will help you adapt these theories for your brand.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Definitive Guide to Strategic Content Marketing here.
47) One Million Followers: How I Built a Massive Social Following in 30 Days
Author: Brendan Kane
In One Million Followers, digital strategist and growth hacker Brendan Kane teaches readers how to go beyond building an engaged following on social media to gain dedicated fans.
Why you should read it:
Do you want to create content that inspires your followers to do more than mindlessly click the ‘like’ button and scroll to the next thing? Would you like to publish the kind of content that stops people in their tracks and drives them to check your website out and purchase your products? If this is you, then you should let Kane show you how in this book. Having built online platforms for A-listers including Taylor Swift and Rihanna, he has what it takes to transform your social media presence.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of One Million Followers here.
48) Content Marketing for PR: How to Build Brand Visibility, Influence and Trust in Today’s Social Age
Author: Trevor Young
Standing out from the competition and producing content that matters has become almost impossible today. Even so, with this guide, you can boost brand visibility and gain your audience’s trust.
Why you should read it:
As content marketers, we’re all yearning to be able to produce the kind of content that can help us break through the sea of voices crying out for attention. This is the only one out of our 50 content marketing books that look at content marketing from a PR perspective. With its combination of powerful content marketing and public relations theories, this book can help you do just that. The right content marketing strategy is a series of good decisions which you make for your brand. The first good decision you can make is to read this book.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of Content Marketing for PR here.
49) Ultimate Guide to Link Building
Authors: Eric Ward & Garrett French
Content marketing isn’t simply about producing brilliant content for your brand. You must also make sure this content is easy to find. Ward and French show us how to optimize our content for the web in this book.
Why you should read it:
Your job as a content marketer doesn’t end when you’ve created amazing content. In order to truly outshine your competitors, you must also ensure that this content is visible on search engines. In The Ultimate Guide to Link Building, Eric Ward and Garrett French will show you how to make your audience happy while also making Google happy.
Where you can find it:
Buy your copy of The Ultimate Guide to Link Building here.
50) This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until you Learn to See
Author: Seth Godin
No, you’re not imagining things. Out of our list of 50 content marketing books, this is the third Seth Godin book we’ve recommended, because he’s just that good. In yet another insightful book, Godin explains the importance of your audience in your content marketing efforts.
Why you should read it:
Many marketers make the mistake of using consumers to fulfill the brand’s needs instead of the other way around, which is how it ought to be. Seth Godin tells us “you can’t be seen until you learn to see,” effectively saying that in order to produce valuable content, you need to see your audience clearly. Part of seeing your audience includes understanding their pain points. With Godin’s content marketing tips, you can finally learn what it takes to produce content that your audience values.
Where to find it:
Buy your copy of This is Marketing here.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many good content marketing books to choose from. If you want to brush up on your content marketing skills, then the 50 books above are a good place to start. Alternatively, a good content marketing course could be just the thing you need.
