The digital marketing landscape is always evolving, changing as new trends and technologies are introduced. Five years ago, what worked for marketers in a digital landscape is no longer as relevant or effective as it used to be.
This is why it’s so important for digital marketers to keep a constant finger on the pulse point of the landscape and evolve with the times. While, yes, the evolution of digital marketing is important, the foundations that you build on for your marketing strategies need to be sturdy and able to weather the changing tides.
Some rules never change. This is why we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 best digital marketing books that every marketer should read at least once (or have in their library to reference).
1. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content, by Ann Handley
Every marketer is a writer. Whether you hate writing or love the content writing process, odds are, you have had to draft a blog post or a Google ad at least once in your career.
Content is king for a reason, especially in digital marketing. Sure, you engage potential customers with that awesome design, but what keeps them engaged enough to reach that desired call to action?
The words in that ad or blog post, the script for that commercial.
Handly’s Everybody Writes, is the perfect book for all marketers to read. It can help you pull your weight if you lose your copywriter and recognize what great content looks like.
This book goes beyond simple grammar rules; it takes you right to the heart of the matter by explaining consumer psychology and why certain things work where others don’t.
2. SEO 2022: Learn Search Engine Optimization With Smart Internet Marketing Strategies, by Adam Clarke
Piggybacking off of the last book, this one will help you understand how to gain visibility in a digital world. Search engine optimization (SEO) is mission-critical for businesses because it helps to improve the visibility of your website in search engine results pages (SERPs).
When a business's website appears higher in the SERPs, it is more likely to be seen by potential customers, which can lead to increased traffic and sales.
The problem with search engine optimization is that the rules are constantly changing. What worked two years ago may not be relevant today. The basic rules still apply, but the ones that will deliver the best results are often found in books like this.
You don’t have to be an expert to get good results from your SEO efforts, you just need to understand the most up-to-date best practices.
3. Branded Interactions: Creating the Digital Experience, by Marco Spies
Have you ever heard of branded interaction design (BIxD)? Even if you’ve never heard this term, we know you’re at least familiar with the concept. Branded Interactions guides readers through what the new face of marketing design looks like in the digital age.
Essentially, your brand design moves well beyond your website's simple color palette and widget placements. Now, designers are tasked with looking at the whole customer experience/journey and understanding UX/UI enough to put that chatbot in the right place.
Digital designers take the entire customer journey into consideration and this book helps to highlight where you should be focusing your attention.
Whether you are a designer or a digital marketer, this book is one that will add value to your strategies for 2023.
4. Digital Marketing For Dummies, by Ryan Deiss
There’s a reason why the For Dummies books have been around for eons. Because they’re a great resource for newbies and seasoned professionals alike!
Digital Marketing for Dummies is an especially great resource for newer marketers. It covers the basics of digital marketing including topics like social media marketing, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and pay-per-click advertising.
This book can help you understand the different types of digital marketing and how they can be used to reach and engage consumers. For more seasoned marketers, this can help you ideate and develop the blueprint for your company’s digital marketing strategy.
Overall, this is a great book to keep on your shelf no matter your experience level. You never know when you’ll need a one size fits all resource for your digital marketing needs!
5. 500 Social Media Marketing Tips: Essential Advice, Hints, and Strategy for Business, by Andrew Macarthy
As a marketer, you probably understand just how important social media marketing is to the success of your business. Whether you are big or small, social media apps like TikTok and Instagram can make or break your business.
Like search engine optimization, social media marketing constantly changes as new apps emerge and viral trends come and go. This is why having a great foundational resource is such a good strategy.
This book helps marketers reach a large and diverse audience, which can help to increase brand awareness and visibility.
Another big plus is that this book can help you meet your customer engagement goals. Social media platforms provide an opportunity for businesses to interact with their customers in real time, which can help to build relationships and foster customer loyalty. It just needs to be done right.
There’s a fine line between a cringy ad that people scroll past and one that hits the mark.
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Do your shelf the favor.
While the internet is a great resource for staying up to date on digital marketing trends, sometimes it’s best to learn from a book that you can flip through, write in, and keep your notes inside of.
2023 is going to be a big year for digital marketers and digital marketing designers. Make sure you have the resources you need to make it a good one!
Have you mapped out your digital marketing plans for 2023?
