Looking to revamp marketing efforts but don’t know where or how to start?
Look first to your mindset, creating an effective marketing strategy may mean forgetting everything you think you know and having an open mind to learn strategy from the best authors and writers.
As the days grow longer and the temperature rises, summer presents the perfect opportunity for digital marketers to unwind, recharge, and expand their knowledge. While relaxing by the pool or soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, delve into a captivating book that will inspire fresh ideas, provide valuable insights, and equip you with the latest trends in the dynamic world of digital marketing.
Whether you're a seasoned marketer looking to stay ahead of the curve or an aspiring professional seeking to build a solid foundation in the field, we've curated a collection of recommended summer reads specifically tailored to ignite your creativity and boost your marketing prowess.
Highbrid Media has compiled a list of reading that has changed our lives and outlook on our careers.
Myself, CEO Juan Perez, and Project Manager Rain Singh all contributed to these recommendations.
Carmen’s Recommendations
How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff:
This book is a great introduction to important statistical ideas, and how to present data honestly. It is a great title, but it is tongue-in-cheek; the author has no intention of teaching anyone how to lie. The actual intent of the author is to try to teach the reader how to avoid inadvertently lying with statistics, or to put it another way, to actually be honest in the presentation of statistical matters. This is an important skill for digital marketers when building reports and dashboards.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This classic Edwardian novel by Austen may seem strange on this list, but it has important lessons that digital marketers can take to the workplace: first impressions are critical, simple communication can change everything, and don’t settle! Lizzy’s and Mr. Darcy’s love story can teach us a lot about the customer journey. It is rarely straight-forward and involves managing inevitable missteps. But despite the struggles, you and your customer can have a happy ending.
Juan’s Recommendations
They Ask, You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer by Marcus Sheridan
"This book was released in 2019 and has remained one of my to reads ever since. Marcus Sheridan, "The Sales Lion" encourages readers to stop selling to their buyers and start answering their questions to get results. To be successful, businesses must obsess over the questions, concerns, and problems their buyers have, and address them as honestly and as thoroughly as possible. With the explosion of AI, buyers are asking tens of billions of question and demand thoughtful answers not just search results. Having the answers they need can attract thousands of potential buyers to your company. It’s a simple and powerful equation that produces growth and success: They Ask, You Answer."
The Urgent Life: My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival By Bozoma Saint John
"I met Bozoma back in 2012 at a 'Where Are All the Black People' summit while she was the head of Music & Entertainment Marketing for Pepsi. We were on opposite sides of a debate about the responsibility of Corporate America to not only hold itself responsible for diversity and culture in the workplace but by extension their people. Bozoma would almost immediately quickly rise through the ranks becoming the Head of Global Consumer Marketing for Apple, The Chief Brand Officer for Uber and now the CMO for Netflix. She's had a remarkable career but not without adversity, having lost her college boyfriend to suicide, navigated an interracial marriage, grieved a child born prematurely which led to her and her husband, Peter's separation. When Peter knew his cancer was terminal, he gave Bozoma a short list of things to do: cancel the divorce, and live The Urgent Life."
Rain’s Recommendation
I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
"One of the primary motivators for me to take hold of my life and finances, this book is stock full of guidance. Not just about money, Ramit asks you to step back and assess what is important to you. Figuring out your priorities sets you on the path to your definition of success, whether in your career, personal life, or community, and the book gives you insight into the foundational knowledge needed to get there. It minimizes the overwhelmingness of responsibility by providing outlined 'steps' that are achievable and powerful when completed. This book helps support your growth."
Throughout the summer, these books will serve as your trusted companions, offering guidance, insights, and innovative ideas to help you navigate the ever-changing digital landscape. They will empower you to refine your strategies, connect with your target audience on a deeper level, and unlock the full potential of your marketing campaigns.
Remember, the pursuit of knowledge and growth is a continuous journey. As a digital marketer, it's crucial to stay curious, embrace change, and seek out opportunities to expand your skill set. By investing your summer in reading, you've taken an important step towards staying ahead of the curve and driving meaningful results for your brand or organization.
