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Reading is an essential part of every study process, regardless of the subject. Despite the huge popularity of other forms of information delivery, such as instructional videos, it is through the good old books that we get the major part of the information.
But for a marketing student, reading books is not only about attaining factual knowledge. It is also about inspiration and insights. While it is true that marketing is very much about figures and numbers, it is also about human nature, and, throughout history, there has never been a better way to reveal that than books.
What’s more, many books that have marketing at their core are also about style as well as the content. And having a feel for style, unless one is a die-hard analyst who only wants to work with numbers, is of crucial importance to a marketing professional.
Additionally, reading quality non-fiction is the perfect way to improve your own writing. Yet, you can always use an essay writer helper on pay for essay service – it is also a nice benefit. Who knows, maybe one day, you’ll be writing a book yourself!
But no more digressing. In this article, we’re presenting a selection of inspirational marketing books that will make you want to do better.
How Brands Become Icons: The Principles of Cultural Branding, by Douglas B. Holt
The title of this book speaks for itself: essentially, it’s an explanation of the phenomena of how brands become iconic. A quick tip: it is done by carefully laying down a consistent strategy and communicating brand values, not creating momentary hype or using gimmicks.
The author, Douglas B. Holt, is a former Harvard Business School professor. So, he knows exactly how to explain things so that everyone, including students, can understand the material. In his narration, he uses lots of real-life examples – the success stories of iconic brands across various industries, such as Volkswagen, ESPN, Budweiser, Harley-Davidson, and more.
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, by Adam Grant
Most aspiring entrepreneurs and executives dream of being different and breaking the mold, but how many really dare do so? Just a few. And that’s natural: being a non-conformist is way too risky. But it can also be extremely rewarding if you manage to find the right strategy and balance.
In this New York Times bestseller Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, author, and thought leader, explains the mechanisms behind being original. Bringing up real-life examples, he shows how challenging your environment can be beneficial not only in business but also in your everyday life.
Contagious: Why Things Catch On, by Jonah Berger
All marketers get fascinated by the sweeping success of another viral item out there and dream of repeating (and surpassing) the triumph. But doing so is impossible without being able to understand why exactly certain things catch on and others – don’t.
In Contagious, Jonah Berger, a marketing professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, pursues an ambitious aim to explain the techniques of producing such “contagious” items. Yet, he also ventures beyond the explanations and provides a formula for creating such items which, he argues, can help any product become the next big thing.
Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content, by Ann Handley
The witty title of this book suggests that the author knows how to capture the reader right from the start. And this is exactly what Ann Handley, writer and one of the most influential bloggers, is going to teach you in this book: creating compelling texts that will actually work. Her Wall Street Journal bestseller can be very helpful indeed, but what if you’ve read this and other books on writing but still can’t ace your college essays? Then it might be time to browse through essay writing services reviews on NoCramming and get help. Everybody writes, but after all, some just do it better than others!
No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram by Sarah Frier
Instagram is currently one of the most influential social media marketing channels in the world. But have you ever wondered how it became what it is? If you’re a marketing student, you definitely should have.
Sarah Frier, a long-time Bloomberg News contributor specializing in social media, can give you the answer. The book, titled the 2020 Book of the Year by the Financial Times, is the definitive story of the super-successful social network that provides deep insights into how and why Instagram became what it is now.
Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time, by Howard Schultz
Well, we’re probably all weary of glossy success stories, are we? But why can’t we get enough of them at the same time? Because they are truly inspirational and uplifting, that’s why. Here, we have the perfect success story. It is filled with love, dedication, stamina, hard work, and a vision for the bright future ahead. And we know that it all actually worked!
Surely, reading this book might be some kind of a guilty pleasure, but after all, it’s vital to see how someone has managed to plough on with their business and go all the way to success. It kind of makes you believe you can do it, too!
Not Enough?
Here are some more suggestions for you to explore:
- Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration, by Amy Wallace and Edwin Catmull;
- Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction, by Derek Thompson;
- This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See, by Seth Godin;
- Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, by Ryan Holiday;
- Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, by Phil Knight.
In Conclusion
Marketing is largely a creative industry, and creativity loves inspiration. Reading books is a great way to get some while also learning useful tips and tricks, gaining insights, and subconsciously improving your writing style.
Start with the books from our selection. When you go through the whole list, just remember – there’s always something new and exciting that you can try!
You may also like: 3 Business Trends for 2021 Marketing Students Should Know
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