This month’s marketing reads
The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and it’s the season for sharpening your marketing game. Just like fall reminds us to clear out what’s no longer working and prepare for what’s ahead, these books help you do the same with your business strategy. This month’s picks are all about marketing: how to connect with your audience, tell a story that sticks, and turn attention into action.
1. This Is Marketing by Seth Godin (2018)
Seth Godin’s This Is Marketing reminds us that marketing isn’t about flashy ads or shouting louder than the competition. It’s about creating real change for the people you want to serve. He shifts the focus from chasing everyone to reaching the right audience with the right message.
- Focus on the smallest viable audience: You don’t need to appeal to everyone; just the people who truly care about what you do.
- Build trust and connection: Marketing works best when it creates belonging, not pressure.
- Serve, don’t just sell: When you solve real problems for real people, sales follow naturally.
2. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller (2017)
Donald Miller makes a compelling case that people don’t buy the best products. They buy the clearest message. Building a StoryBrand gives you a framework for positioning your customer as the hero and your business as the helpful guide.
- Clarity beats cleverness: Customers don’t act when they’re confused → simplify your message.
- Put your customer first: Frame your brand as the guide that’s helping them solve their problem.
- Tell a story: Stories are memorable. Use them to show how your product improves your customer’s life.
3. The Art of the Click by Glenn Fisher (2018)
Glenn Fisher dives into the psychology behind what makes people click, read, and ultimately buy. The Art of the Click is a modern look at copywriting that blends classic direct-response techniques with digital-era insights.
- Words that sell: Strong copy isn’t about sounding fancy; it’s about being clear, persuasive, and human.
- Understand your audience: The better you know their fears, hopes, and desires, the more effective your message.
- Test and refine: Small tweaks to headlines, emails, or ads can dramatically improve results.
Change is constant. But with the right marketing approach, you can adapt, connect, and grow. These reads will help you clear away the noise, focus on what matters, and craft messages that stick – long after the pumpkins are gone.