10 of the best digital marketing books to read in 2022

There are lots of places to get inspiration for your digital marketing strategy, from Instagram accounts to traditional books. But with so much content out there, how do you know who to listen to? We’re not here to force information down your throat, but we do have a good idea of how digital marketing works. So, here’s an overview of the 10 best digital marketing books to read in 2022.

1) #GetSocialSmart: How to Hone Your Social Media Strategy – Katie Lance

It’s no secret that social media plays a huge role in marketing at the moment, and its presence is growing every day. If you’re looking for a place to start with developing a solid social media strategy, this book might be of help. In ‘#GetSocialSmart’, social media strategist, Katie Lance, provides valuable guidance for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to take control of their social media marketing. From how to create a great business twitter account, to mastering the art of live streaming, this book has some helpful tips for social media beginners.

If social media is something that interests you, we’re constantly updating our blog with fascinating insights to the latest trends. For example, take a look at our guide to Tik Tok marketing, or find out exactly why photo dumps are taking over Instagram.

2) Brand Now – Nick Westergaard

It’s 2022, the internet is saturated with media, and your brand is struggling to stand out from your competitors. If this sounds like you, then some extra insight into effective branding could be the missing key. In ‘Brand Now: How to Stand Out in a Crowded, Distracted World’, Nick Westergaard defines some essential chapters for great branding – Meaning, Structure, Story, Content, Community, Clarity, and Experience.

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive about this book, with many praising Westergaard’s easy-to-read writing style. Some have even called the book entertaining, which is a rare find amongst some of the more tedious marketing resources out there. This book is perfect for newcomers who are looking to establish some solid branding through both online and offline marketing.

3) Digital Marketing for Dummies – Ryan Deiss & Russ Henneberry

Nowadays, it seems you can get your hands on a ‘for Dummies’ guide to any topic you can imagine – digital marketing is the newest addition. This introductory book is perfect for new business owners who have absolutely no knowledge of digital marketing. If you’re already established within the industry, this book probably isn’t for you. However, it’s a good place to start and breaks down lots of confusing marketing lingo in a way that’s easy to understand.

After reading this book, you might well feel ready to create a digital marketing strategy and venture into the world of digital marketing.

4) Email Marketing Rules – Chad S. White

If you’re a stickler for rules, this one’s for you. While it’s definitely not a fun bedtime read, ‘Email Marketing Rules’ is chock full with checklists and frameworks for email marketing. The 3rd edition of Chad White’s book guides you through smart targeting, automation, deep metrics, and more. After being named Email Experience Council’s 2018 Email Marketer Thought Leader of the Year, it’s safe to say Chad White can share some invaluable information. After putting his frameworks into practice, you might just think that email marketing rules!

5) Epic Content Marketing – Joe Pulizzi

Joe Pulizzi highlights that marketers can no longer provide mediocre content to customers – something we wholeheartedly agree with. The book talks you through creating epic content that’ll keep customers engaged and actually compel them to take action. Ideal for content marketers, this book speaks of how to develop your content creation process. As well as this, it touches on how to measure your content’s performance, and how to engage with your brand’s socials.

6) InstaBrain: The New Rules for Marketing to Generation Z – Sarah Weise

Perhaps one of the most baffling changes to marketing nowadays is how to appeal to Gen Z. With their love for social media, memes, and Tik Tok dances, it can be difficult to know just how to approach marketing to a new generation. In her book, Sarah Weise walks through how to develop a new marketing strategy and build your brand with Gen Z in mind. Including lots of stories and insights about different youth research projects, you’ll be able to gain an understanding of what appeals to over 12 million of the UK’s population. This book is a must if your brand’s target audience are between the ages of 10 and 25.

7) Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook – Gary Vaynerchuk

Although competing with other brands might feel like a boxing match at times, Gary Vaynerchuk’s ‘Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook’ refers to something different altogether. The key to keeping customers happy, as well as converting traffic to sales, lies in a combination of jabs and hooks. The jabs are the slow and steady relationship building that every brand must get right with their customers. The ‘right hook’ is your next big campaign – the thing that’ll win your customers’ attention and business through one big hit. The book describes itself as the ‘blueprint to social media marketing strategies that really works’. Why not see for yourself?

8) See you on the Internet – Avery Swartz

‘See you on the Internet’ is clearly written and highly accessible – you can even listen to it as an audiobook. The book focuses on how small businesses can stand out with their digital marketing in five simple steps. With over 14 years of experience in the field, Swartz provides key info on web development, SEO, ecommerce, social media and online advertising. This book is a great way for any small business to gain an understanding of the ins and outs of digital marketing. Before getting started with your SEO-friendly website, it might be helpful to know the best CMS platforms for SEO.

9) The 1-Page Marketing Plan – Allan Dib

Allan Dib’s ‘1-Page Marketing Plan’ prefaces itself with ‘WARNING: Do Not Read This Book If You Hate Money’. So, you can see where this book is heading. In a very no-nonsense fashion, the book’s subtitle simply states ‘Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand Out From The Crowd’. And isn’t that what digital marketing’s all about?

This practical and matter-of-fact guide is perfect if you don’t want to read a long, illustrative story about someone’s journey into marketing. Sure, these can be interesting, but not everyone’s an avid reader. Dib provides a well-structured blueprint for your marketing plan that can be personalised for any business. Reviewers have described the book as ‘refreshing’ and ‘game changing’, and praised the lack of fluff and filler. If you’re looking for a quick and informative read, consider adding this book to your collection.

10) The Customer of the Future – Blake Morgan

Digital marketing means always looking ahead and thinking towards the future. ‘The Customer of the Future’ outlines 10 guidelines to creating a great customer experience that moves with the times. Customers in the future will have ever changing needs and circumstances, so your brand needs to keep up with their expectations to maintain a strong relationship.

The book explains how artificial intelligence and automation are changing the game, and how you can adapt to such changes. With case studies and examples of how businesses are already developing their marketing strategies, you’ll be inspired to change your own techniques over time.

If you’re looking for some more nuanced insights to digital marketing strategies, why not read some of our blog posts? From mastering the client onboarding process, to considering race in marketing, we have all the information you need to appeal to your target audiences. If you’re interested to learn more, contact us.

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