The Best Marketing Books To Read In 2024
Hi everyone,
Welcome back to Mastering Marketing.
This week, as always, we're firstly going to look at some big headlines from the world of marketing.
???? Google's Bold Move: Chrome drops cookies for enhanced User Privacy
???? Ad in Focus: Cadbury Marks 200th Anniversary with Remake of 'Mum’s Birthday' Ad
And then we'll be guiding you through our curated list of the top ten marketing books you should read in 2024 to stay ahead of industry trends and sharpen your marketing prowess.
???? Google's Bold Move: Chrome drops cookies for enhanced User Privacy
It's been coming for some time and I've talked about it a lot (maybe too much?) but last week, Google initiated the first phase of its plan to bid farewell to third-party cookies in the Chrome browser, setting a precedent for the future of online privacy. The initial rollout impacts 30 million users, a mere 1% of the total Chrome user base, marking the beginning of a larger transformation.
This decision aligns with a broader industry trend as tech giants increasingly prioritize user privacy. By eliminating third-party cookies, Chrome aims to bolster security while still allowing for personalized advertising. This move not only addresses growing privacy concerns but also signals a shift towards more transparent and user-centric practices in the digital landscape.
Google's move to bid adieu to third-party cookies in Chrome has profound implications for marketers. Marketers will face hurdles in tracking user behaviour and delivering targeted ads. However, the industry's collective embrace of privacy-centric practices indicates a broader shift towards more ethical advertising strategies. To navigate this transition, marketers can focus on first-party data, fostering direct relationships with users, and leveraging privacy-compliant technologies.
Building transparent and mutually beneficial relationships with consumers becomes paramount. Marketers should invest in strategies that encourage users to willingly share data, such as loyalty programs and personalized content offerings. Additionally, embracing AI-driven technologies that analyze on-site behaviour without compromising individual privacy can help marketers glean valuable insights. Embracing ethical data practices and leveraging innovative solutions will be key for marketers to thrive in this evolving landscape, where privacy holds as much weight as personalization.
You can read more about building community and the future of user privacy in my upcoming book, Marketing in Web 3.
???? Ad in Focus: Cadbury Marks 200th Anniversary with Remake of 'Mum’s Birthday' Ad
To commemorate its bicentennial, Cadbury (the best chocolate in the world in my opinion) unveils a refreshed rendition of its beloved 'Mum's Birthday' ad, transcending two centuries of British life. The iconic confectionery brand, founded by John Cadbury in 1824, takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through time, capturing the heartwarming essence of a young girl's chocolate-gifting gesture, now reimagined for its monumental 200th anniversary. The campaign, titled "Yours for 200 Years" seamlessly intertwines Cadbury's rich history with a timeless message of sweetness.
In Cadbury's heartwarming ad, a child's pure gesture of love unfolds as she sacrifices toys and pocket change to gift her mother a Dairy Milk chocolate. This emotional narrative beautifully captures the essence of advertising—a genuine connection to the human experience. By tapping into the universal language of emotions, Cadbury not only sells a chocolate bar but crafts a story that resonates deeply, etching the brand into the hearts of customers. In the world of advertising, emotions are the bridge that forges lasting bonds with the audience.
???? The best marketing books to read in 2024
There are hundreds if not thousands of books on marketing published every year - but which ones are worth your time? Here is our guide to the top ten best marketing books you should read in 2024. Some are new releases this year, whereas others are modern adaptations on older bestsellers. Each of these books will give you the knowledge and tools to excel in digital marketing, from long-standing universal truths to new and emerging theories which are quickly gathering influence. How many of these books have you read?
How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age
by Dale Carnegie
This is a modern take on the timeless 1936 classic ‘How To Win Friends and Influence People’ that has captivated millions of readers and kick-started the literary self-help genre. This new edition is updated for the digital age, discussing the powerful role of technology and communication in forging and nurturing relationships.?
While it's not purely a book about marketing, How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age does offer some invaluable insights for marketers, guiding you on how to convey your message in a compelling way, and how to genuinely connect with others by taking an interest in their passions.?
“Influencing others is not a matter of outsmarting them. It is a matter of discerning what they truly want and offering it to them in a mutually beneficial package.” -? Dale Carnegie
Forget the Funnel: A Customer-Led Approach for Driving Predictable, Recurring Revenue
by Georgiana Laudi and Claire Suellentrop
Drawing from their extensive experience in scaling up major SaaS companies like Unbounce and Calendly, Georgiana Laudi and Claire Suellentrop released Forget the Funnel this year. This book brings a fresh perspective to the world of SaaS marketing and presents an unconventional but highly effective customer-centric approach. This method is not just theoretical; it's backed by real results and hard data. The book steers clear of guesswork, guiding the reader to identify and learn from their best customers.?
What makes this book stand out is its concise and straightforward style, free of unnecessary jargon or self-praise. It offers a practical, step-by-step guide to implementing a customer-led marketing strategy, featuring actionable advice and downloadable worksheets. Ideal for businesses aiming for organic and predictable growth, this book is a go-to resource for achieving long-term success.
Hacking Growth: How Today's Fastest-Growing Companies Drive Breakout Success
by Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown
Co-written by Sean Ellis, the very person who introduced the term 'growth hacking,' this book is rich in practical wisdom about growing a brand - and fast. Packed with real-world examples and engaging case studies, this book underlines how important it is to experiment and test at a granular level, and deploy marketing strategies informed by data rather than relying on assumptions.?
领英推荐
The main focus of Hacking Growth is on attracting and retaining customers, and is a helpful and engaging read for startups and those eager to scale up rapidly. The book's dynamic approach offers a wealth of insights for businesses keen on making significant strides in today's competitive market.?
“[...] growth hacking involves more than picking from a menu of hacks; it is, rather, a process of continuous experimentation to ensure that those hacks are achieving the desired results.” - Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown
The Digital Marketing Handbook: Deliver Powerful Digital Campaigns
by Simon Kingsnorth
The CIM-recommended Digital Marketing Handbook by Simon Kingsnorth is a comprehensive and accessible guide to the world of digital marketing. Written by a seasoned expert with over 25 years of industry experience, Kingsnorth brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. This handbook covers all facets of digital marketing, ranging from SEO and paid searches to social media, digital advertising and the whole mix.?
Providing a summary of all aspects of digital marketing, this book is packed with industry-standard strategies and is distinguished by its practical approach, offering real-world case studies and actionable tips. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or new to the field, this book provides valuable insights and guidance for creating powerful digital marketing campaigns. Continue reading the article on my blog...
For The Love of Marketing - Marketing Podcast
Running Google Ads that convert with Robert Cooper ??
Our special guest, Robert Cooper , Founder at PlusROI Online Marketing Inc. & What Works Marketing , is a true maestro when it comes to focused Google Ads and paid advertising. In this power-packed episode, Robert shares his invaluable insights and strategies to create Google Ads campaigns that drive real results. From targeting the right audience to crafting compelling ad copy, you'll learn the secrets behind skyrocketing conversion rates and boosting your ROI. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a business owner looking to supercharge your online presence, this episode is a goldmine of actionable tips and tricks. Don't miss out on this opportunity to level up your Google Ads game with expert advice from Robert Cooper himself!
Subscribe to the podcast:
Stay tuned for more??
Here's an interesting read from my strategic marketing agency, SK...
SMART, PERSONALISED, LOCALISED, AUTOMATED EMAIL MARKETING
Getting an email isn’t quite as thrilling as it used to be, with the world sending 374 billion of them every single day. For your email campaign to stand out, it must be tailored, relevant and timely to get the engagement and conversion rates that you want. By making email campaigns smart, localised, and personalised, businesses can upgrade their marketing efforts to meet the high expectations of their consumers.
What Is Smart Email Marketing?
Smart email marketing is a way of using technology and data to increase the relevance of email campaigns. By delivering highly relevant email content to your mailing list, you can enhance user engagement and improve that all-important ROI.
Smart email marketing can be as simple as personalising a subject line, to targeting contacts with specific email campaigns depending on their lifecycle stage. Most email marketing services will have this functionality built in that you can integrate into your existing CRM.
Smart email marketing also lets you use behavioural data to send messages that resonate with the consumer’s current interests and needs, e.g. sending an email out to a customer on their birthday, or within so many weeks or months of their last purchase, depending on when they are likely to buy again.
The Role Of Data Analytics In Email Marketing
Data analytics should form the foundation of your email marketing strategy. Looking at data will let you understand the audience better and get a clear idea of the performance of your email campaigns. Here are some key analytics that you should be looking at:
Deliverability
You can craft the best email in the world, but it won’t be effective if it can’t be delivered. Issues like an incorrect email address, content filters, and blocked IPs can all contribute to unsuccessful deliveries. Sometimes this is unavoidable due to human error, but if you seem to have a high failed delivery rate (more than 20% is considered high), it is worth looking into why this is and taking action to fix it...
Thanks for reading!
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About Simon
I have been helping companies with their marketing from start-ups to global organisations for over 20 years and I’m also the author of 2 best-selling books in the field. Whether it’s growth, branding, performance, content marketing, SEO or many other areas, I have helped companies all over the world to deliver market-leading results and I'd love to help you if I can.
Simon