--- title: The Five Best Marketing Books to Read in 2018 description: Some people read to escape, others read to level up. Here are the top 5 books every marketer and small business owner should read to improve on marketing strategies. image: https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Old%20opened%20book%20with%20business%20strategy%20sketches.jpeg --- [![Fractional Head of Demand Generation](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2022%20Redesign/Logos/logo%20white.png?width=205&height=110&name=logo%20white.png "Fractional Head of Demand Generation")](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com) [![Fractional Head of Demand Generation](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2022%20Redesign/Logos/logo%20color.png?width=205&height=110&name=logo%20color.png "Fractional Head of Demand Generation")](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com) - Services - [Fractional Head of Demand Generation](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/fractional-head-of-demand-generation) - [Pricing](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/fractional-head-of-demand-generation-pricing) - [What is HubSpot?](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/what-is-hubspot) - [Customers](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/customers) - [Reviews + Successes](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/customers) - [RhythmInfluence](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/rhythminfluence-case-study) - [Lumina Solar](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/lumina-solar-case-study) - [Brandwise](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/brandwise-case-study) - [Resources](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog) - [About](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/about-lindsey-framer) - [Contact](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/contact) More results [Let's Chat](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/book-a-call) [Let's Work Together](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/meetings/lframer30) [Let's Chat](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/meetings/lframer30) - Services - [Fractional Head of Demand Generation](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/fractional-head-of-demand-generation) - [Pricing](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/fractional-head-of-demand-generation-pricing) - [What is HubSpot?](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/what-is-hubspot) - [Customers](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/customers) - [Reviews + Successes](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/customers) - [RhythmInfluence](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/rhythminfluence-case-study) - [Lumina Solar](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/lumina-solar-case-study) - [Brandwise](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/brandwise-case-study) - [Resources](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog) - [About](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/about-lindsey-framer) - [Contact](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/contact) [Let's Chat](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/book-a-call) [Inbound Marketing Strategy](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/topic/inbound-marketing-strategy) # The Five Best Marketing Books to Read in 2018 by [Megan McLean](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/author/megan-mclean) 3 min read Aug 1, 2018 3:14:00 PM It’s never too late to start on your summer reading list. While you might have a range of books you've been itching to read, why not add great marketing books to your list? You'll level up your marketing strategy and gain fresh perspectives. ![best marketing books in 2018](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Old%20opened%20book%20with%20business%20strategy%20sketches.jpeg?width=400&name=Old%20opened%20book%20with%20business%20strategy%20sketches.jpeg) We put together this short list of acclaimed marketing books that could get you [remarkable results in 2018](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/11-marketing-trends-to-implement-in-2018).   [\[DOWNLOAD\] Download our free whitepaper to learn the everything you need to know about inbound marketing.](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/inbound-marketing-101) ### **Top 5 Must-Read Marketing Books**   #### **1. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen ** ![building a story brand](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/building%20a%20story%20brand.jpg?width=200&name=building%20a%20story%20brand.jpg) Every marketer needs to grasp the importance of utilizing the power of storytelling in branding. It's essentially a method of connecting readers with a brand's message. In this book, New York Times bestselling author Donald Miller walks you through his StoryBrand process to better connect and talk to your audience. Whether you're a small business owner or a marketing director of a large company, check out Miller's [book](https://buildingastorybrand.com) to help improve your storytelling skills.   #### **2. Integrated Marketing Communications: Putting It Together & Making It Work** ![Integrated Marketing Communications](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Integrated%20Marketing%20Communications.jpg?width=200&name=Integrated%20Marketing%20Communications.jpg) If you want marketing results, you need to dig deeper into the lives of your target audience. In this [book](https://books.google.ca/books/about/Integrated_Marketing_Communications.html?id=CCtUdW7EFogC&redir_esc=y) written by university professors Don E. Shultz, Stanley I. Tannenbaum, and Robert F. Lauterborn, you'll explore the many facets of customer-focused marketing, from building a detailed profile of the consumer's information to allocating marketing resources, such as advertising, public relations, and promotion. You'll also learn what it takes to put an integrated program into action with the necessary communication and marketing tactics in order to be successful. #### Are you staying on top of blogging trends? Let's get you up to speed. [Take a look at these key blogging trends and statistics in 2018](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/17-statistics-business-bloggers-should-know-about-in-2018). #### **3. Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade** ![pre-suasion](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pre-suasion.jpg?width=300&name=pre-suasion.jpg) Having sold 3 million copies of his bestselling classic, *Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion*, author Robert Cialdini has published a sequel. The [new book is *Pre-Suasion: a Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade*](https://www.influenceatwork.com/book/), which offers guidance on how to take advantage of the key moment *before* you deliver an important message. In persuasion, you must first prepare people to be receptive to a message before they receive it.  #### **4. ****Top of Mind: Use Content to Unleash Your Influence and Engage Those Who Matter to You** ![top of mind](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/top%20of%20mind.jpg?width=200&name=top%20of%20mind.jpg) Author John Hall, a trusted expert in the business and marketing world, shares his insight and experience  to engage your audience, help you build better business relationships and keep your brand top of mind for decision-makers who matter. Forbes declared the book to be "an absolute must-read for any professional or company seeking to build influence and lead their industry. [Check out the book here](http://topofmindbook.com).    #### **5. What Customers Crave: How to Create Relevant and Memorable Experiences at Every Touchpoint ** **![What customers crave](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/What%20customers%20crave.png?width=200&name=What%20customers%20crave.png)** Do you know what your customers really want? The answers to all of the pertinent marketing questions will lead you to explosive sales and profit. In this book, author Nicholas J. Webb [demonstrates through various examples](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29570486-what-customers-crave) how you can learn invaluable information about your ideal customer and use it to deliver memorable and human experiences.  You'll be driving new and current customers to your business in no time.    And there you have it! We hope you'll find lots of helpful tips to kick your marketing into high gear.   Happy reading! P.S. Let us know your thoughts on these books or good suggestions on books to read. **Have a question? Drop us a line by clicking below.** [![contact us today. ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/389011/810bd747-aeba-49c9-8e08-3bd6098eea90.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/389011/810bd747-aeba-49c9-8e08-3bd6098eea90)   #### Share this [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/the-five-best-marketing-books-to-read-in-2018&text=The%20Five%20Best%20Marketing%20Books%20to%20Read%20in%202018) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/the-five-best-marketing-books-to-read-in-2018&t=The%20Five%20Best%20Marketing%20Books%20to%20Read%20in%202018) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/the-five-best-marketing-books-to-read-in-2018&t=The%20Five%20Best%20Marketing%20Books%20to%20Read%20in%202018) Previous story [← How to Effectively Create Buyer Personas](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/create-buyer-personas-that-wont-waste-your-time) Next story [What is Blockchain and How Can It Affect Your Digital Marketing? →](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-and-how-can-it-affect-your-digital-marketing) ### Get Email Notifications - [Privacy Policy](https://responsiveinboundmarketing-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy) - [About Me](https://responsiveinboundmarketing-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/about-me) - [Resources](https://responsiveinboundmarketing-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/resource-page) - [Schedule A Meeting](https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/meetings/lframer30) Copyright © 2026 Responsive Inbound Marketing ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Megan McLean", "url" : "https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/author/megan-mclean" }, "datePublished" : "2018-08-01T19:14:00.000Z", "headline" : "The Five Best Marketing Books to Read in 2018", "image" : [ "https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Old%20opened%20book%20with%20business%20strategy%20sketches.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/blog/the-five-best-marketing-books-to-read-in-2018", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.responsiveinboundmarketing.com/hubfs/2022%20Redesign/Logos/logo%20color.png" }, "name" : "Responsive Inbound Marketing, LLC" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Megan McLean" }, "dateModified" : "August 1, 2018, 7:29:24 PM", "datePublished" : "2018-08-01 19:14:00", "description" : "Some people read to escape, others read to level up. 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