The 17 Best Content Marketing Books To Read In 2024
Content marketing books have been my anchor in the dynamic world of marketing. From bestsellers to hidden gems, each one has shaped my strategy and honed my campaigns. As a content creator and marketing manager, they've guided me in producing high-quality content that truly speaks to audiences.
Whether you're aiming to build trust, master search engine optimization, or create compelling landing pages, I've walked that path—and remained keen on enhancing my content marketing efforts. Whether you prefer podcasts, traditional books, or audiobooks, these resources are your roadmap to impactful marketing messages and a solid marketing plan. Dive in and let's journey through the world of effective content marketing together.
17 Best Content Marketing Books
Having sifted through countless titles, I've handpicked these 17 content marketing books based on their potent solutions to the challenges you face.
- Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson and Melissa Rach
- Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
- The Content Code: Six essential strategies to ignite your content, your marketing, and your business by Mark W. Schaefer
- Youtility: Why Smart Marketing Is about Help Not Hype by Jay Baer
- They Ask You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer by Marcus Sheridan with a foreword by Krista Kotrla
- Epic Content Marketing: How to Tell a Different Story, Break through the Clutter, and Win More Customers by Marketing Less by Joe Pulizzi
- Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
- Digital Marketing All-In-One For Dummies by Stephanie Diamond
- Content Inc.: How Entrepreneurs Use Content to Build Massive Audiences and Create Radically Successful Businesses by Joe Pulizzi
- Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller
- All Marketers are Liars: The Underground Classic That Explains How Marketing Really Works--and Why Authenticity Is the Best Marketing of All by Seth Godin
- Practical Content Strategy & Marketing: The Content Strategy & Marketing Course Guidebook by Julia McCoy with a foreword by Mark Schaefer
- Conversation Marketing: How to Be Relevant and Engage Your Customer by Speaking Human by Kevin Lund with a foreword by Joe Pulizzi
- The Adweek Copywriting Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Powerful Advertising and Marketing Copy from One of America's Top Copywriters by Joseph Sugarman
- Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk
- Inbound Content: A Step-by-Step Guide To Doing Content Marketing the Inbound Way by Justin Champion
- Content Machine: Use Content Marketing to Build a 7-figure Business With Zero Advertising by Dan Norris
Overviews Of The 17 Best Content Marketing Books
Here’s a quick summary of each book, what you’ll learn, and why you should read it, plus a quote I like from the book. I added the author’s LinkedIn and other places to connect with them online.
1. Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson and Melissa Rach
Summary:
Content Strategy for the Web offers insights into the art of planning for the creation, delivery, and governance of valuable, usable content. Halvorson and Rach present a roadmap for developing a comprehensive content strategy.
What You'll Learn:
The intricacies of a compelling content strategy, the value of understanding users and stakeholders, and the methods for effective content audits, planning, and measurement.
Why You Should Read It:
Dive deep into the foundational methodologies of content strategy, enriched by the experiences of leading industry professionals.
Quote From The Book:
"Your content is a mess: the website redesigns didn’t help, and the new CMS just made things worse."
About The Author:
Kristina Halvorson, a beacon in content strategy, is available on LinkedIn, shares thoughts on Twitter, and leads Brain Traffic. Melissa Rach, co-author, can be reached on LinkedIn.
2. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Summary:
Made to Stick deciphers the DNA of sticky ideas. The Heath brothers explore the principles that make thoughts linger, providing readers with tales and tactics.
What You'll Learn:
The six SUCCESS principles of making ideas memorable, and transformative techniques to enhance any message's clarity and impact.
Why You Should Read It:
Unlock the secrets of communication and understand why certain messages stick, making it indispensable for marketers and educators.
Quote From The Book:
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
About The Author:
The Heath brothers, Chip and Dan, are renowned for their contributions to communication and business. Explore more about their works on their Amazon portfolio: Chip and Dan, and explore their website.
3. The Content Code: Six Essential Strategies to Ignite Your Content, Your Marketing, and Your Business by Mark W. Schaefer
Summary:
In The Content Code, Mark Schaefer takes readers on a journey through the digital marketing realm, presenting next-level strategies to leverage content marketing's true potential.
What You'll Learn:
Advanced techniques post-content creation, ways to drive content sharing and engagement, and the intricate world of personal branding in the digital age.
Why You Should Read It:
Embrace the future of content marketing with Schaefer's advanced techniques, making it a must-read for marketers aiming to stay ahead.
Quote From The Book:
"Great content is not the finish line. Great content is the starting line."
About The Author:
Mark W. Schaefer, a recognized authority in marketing, is accessible on LinkedIn, shares wisdom on Twitter, and offers in-depth analysis on his personal website.
4. Youtility: Why Smart Marketing Is about Help Not Hype by Jay Baer
Summary:
Youtility focuses on a paradigm shift in marketing: from selling to genuinely helping. Jay Baer posits that in today's crowded marketplace, businesses should offer invaluable utility to stand out.
What You'll Learn:
The concept of 'Youtility' and how creating helpful, relevant marketing can cultivate long-lasting customer loyalty.
Why You Should Read It:
Gain insights into a groundbreaking approach that turns traditional marketing on its head, prioritizing help over hype.
Quote From The Book:
"If you sell something, you make a customer today; if you help someone, you create a customer for life."
About The Author:
Jay Baer is a prominent digital marketing consultant and speaker. Connect with him on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter, or explore his insights on his personal website.
5. They Ask You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer by Marcus Sheridan with a foreword by Krista Kotrla
Summary:
Marcus Sheridan's They Ask You Answer lays out a transparent, customer-centric approach to marketing and sales. Rooted in honesty and education, it is a guide to aligning business practices with modern consumers' expectations.
What You'll Learn:
How transparency and addressing customer questions head-on can revolutionize your content marketing and inbound sales strategy.
Why You Should Read It:
Sheridan offers a no-nonsense playbook for businesses to thrive in the digital age by genuinely serving their audience.
Quote From The Book:
"Trust is the most important currency in business and life."
About The Author:
Marcus Sheridan is an influential figure in the content marketing arena. You can network with him on LinkedIn, catch his latest thoughts on Twitter, or delve deeper into his methodologies on his website.
6. Epic Content Marketing: How to Tell a Different Story, Break through the Clutter, and Win More Customers by Marketing Less by Joe Pulizzi
Summary:
Joe Pulizzi's Epic Content Marketing emphasizes the importance of storytelling in the digital age. He outlines strategies for businesses to differentiate themselves by producing less but more impactful content.
What You'll Learn:
The pillars of creating epic content, strategies to captivate your target audience, and how to drive actionable results with compelling narratives.
Why You Should Read It:
Dive into the art of storytelling and understand how focusing on quality over quantity can elevate your brand presence.
Quote From The Book:
"Content marketing is the marketing and business process for creating and distributing valuable and compelling content to attract, acquire, and engage a clearly defined and understood target audience."
About The Author:
Joe Pulizzi is renowned as a pioneer in the content marketing realm. Engage with him on LinkedIn, stay updated with his tweets on Twitter, and explore a wealth of resources on his personal website.
7. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
Summary:
Ann Handley's Everybody Writes is a comprehensive guide to the art of writing in the digital age. From basic grammar rules to the broader concepts of content creation, it covers it all.
What You'll Learn:
Techniques to improve writing skills, guidelines for creating persuasive content, and the importance of storytelling in the digital landscape.
Why You Should Read It:
Elevate your writing standards and comprehend the nuances of creating content that stands out in today's cluttered online world.
Quote From The Book:
"Good writing serves the reader, not the writer. It isn't self-indulgent. Good writing anticipates the questions readers might have as they're reading a piece, and it answers them."
About The Author:
Ann Handley is a digital marketing pioneer with a keen focus on the power of writing. Connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her insights on Twitter, and get more from her personal website.
8. Digital Marketing All-In-One For Dummies by Stephanie Diamond
Summary:
Stephanie Diamond's Digital Marketing All-In-One For Dummies serves as a comprehensive toolkit for anyone looking to grasp the vast landscape of digital marketing. It's an amalgamation of best practices, strategies, and actionable insights.
What You'll Learn:
A-Z of digital marketing, from SEO and content creation to email marketing and analytics. Plus, strategies to optimize online marketing efforts.
Why You Should Read It:
Gain an all-encompassing perspective of digital marketing, making it an indispensable resource for beginners and intermediates alike.
Quote From The Book:
"Marketing is not a function; it's a way of doing business."
About The Author:
Stephanie Diamond is an accomplished author and marketing thought leader. Engage with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
9. Content Inc.: How Entrepreneurs Use Content to Build Massive Audiences and Create Radically Successful Businesses by Joe Pulizzi
Summary:
Joe Pulizzi's Content Inc. uncovers the strategy behind using content to build massive audiences and subsequently leveraging them for business success.
What You'll Learn:
The six-step business model for entrepreneurial success, case studies from innovative content marketers, and insights into building a substantial digital audience.
Why You Should Read It:
Grasp a novel approach to entrepreneurship where content lies at the core of business growth and innovation.
Quote From The Book:
"It's your story. Tell it."
About The Author:
Joe Pulizzi, a trailblazer in the content marketing arena, can be found on LinkedIn, shares his knowledge on Twitter, and offers more on his personal website.
10. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller
Summary:
In Building a StoryBrand, Donald Miller introduces a seven-part storytelling framework that aids brands in clarifying their messaging, ensuring they don't lose out due to confusing communication.
What You'll Learn:
The structure of successful stories and how to leverage that structure for clearer, more compelling marketing and branding messages.
Why You Should Read It:
Decode the art of storytelling in business, and harness its power to captivate customers and drive action.
Quote From The Book:
"If you confuse, you'll lose."
About The Author:
Donald Miller is a sought-after speaker and business consultant. You can connect with him on LinkedIn and engage with him on Twitter.
11. All Marketers are Liars: The Underground Classic That Explains How Marketing Really Works--and Why Authenticity Is the Best Marketing of All by Seth Godin
Summary:
Seth Godin challenges the traditional notions of marketing in "All Marketers are Liars". He contends that effective marketers are essentially storytellers, crafting narratives that resonate with their target audience.
What You'll Learn:
The psychology behind why consumers buy and how to craft authentic stories that they can believe in and rally behind.
Why You Should Read It:
Discover a fresh perspective on marketing, one that centers on the authenticity and the power of storytelling.
Quote From The Book:
"Either you're going to tell stories that spread, or you will become irrelevant."
About The Author:
Seth Godin is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and agent of change. Connect with him on LinkedIn, get insights on Twitter, and dive into his world via his personal website.
12. Practical Content Strategy & Marketing: The Content Strategy & Marketing Course Guidebook by Julia McCoy with a foreword by Mark Schaefer
Summary:
Julia McCoy's book serves as a comprehensive guidebook on modern content marketing, providing actionable insights and strategies for content creation and deployment.
What You'll Learn:
Effective content creation techniques, keyword research, and the key principles of a sustainable content strategy in today's digital age.
Why You Should Read It:
Equip yourself with the tools to develop, refine, and execute a successful content strategy in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Quote From The Book:
"Your online content habits define your success."
About The Author:
Julia McCoy is a content marketing expert and educator. Engage with her on LinkedIn and stay updated on Twitter.
13. Conversation Marketing: How to Be Relevant and Engage Your Customer by Speaking Human by Kevin Lund with a foreword by Joe Pulizzi
Summary:
Kevin Lund's Conversation Marketing delves into the importance of genuine conversations in marketing and how speaking human is the key to winning customer engagement in today's digital era.
What You'll Learn:
The dynamics of effective communication in marketing, strategies for genuine engagement, strategies for working with content creators, and the value of authentic connections in the world of business.
Why You Should Read It:
Transform your approach to marketing by emphasizing conversations that resonate, engage, and build lasting relationships.
Quote From The Book:
"Speak to your audience in their language about what’s in their heart."
About The Author:
Kevin Lund is an industry expert in content strategy and engagement marketing. Connect with him on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter, or dive deeper on his personal website.
14. The Adweek Copywriting Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Powerful Advertising and Marketing Copy from One of America's Top Copywriters by Joseph Sugarman
Summary:
Joseph Sugarman's handbook is a timeless resource on the art of copywriting. It's packed with guidelines, principles, and insights accumulated from his illustrious career in advertising.
What You'll Learn:
Essential copywriting techniques, the psychology behind successful ad copy, and practical strategies to craft persuasive messages.
Why You Should Read It:
Harness the power of words, influence consumer behavior, and discover the secrets behind some of the most compelling advertising copy.
Quote From The Book:
"The sole purpose of the first sentence in an advertisement is to get you to read the second sentence."
About The Author:
Joseph Sugarman is a legendary figure in the advertising industry, best known for his innovative approaches to copywriting. Although not as active on social media platforms, his legacy speaks through his impactful writings and strategies.
15. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk
Summary:
In this groundbreaking book, Gary Vaynerchuk presents the blueprint for social media marketing. He emphasizes the importance of context and adapting the message to the medium.
What You'll Learn:
The nuances of different social media platforms, the tactics for creating impactful content tailored to each platform, and the strategy of giving value before asking for business.
Why You Should Read It:
Navigate the noisy world of social media with a strategy that focuses on delivering value, building genuine relationships, and then making the ask.
Quote From The Book:
"Make it simple. Make it memorable. Make it inviting to look at. Make it fun to read."
About The Author:
Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and influential speaker. Engage with him on LinkedIn and catch his insights on Twitter.
16. Inbound Content: A Step-by-Step Guide To Doing Content Marketing the Inbound Way by Justin Champion
Summary:
Justin Champion provides a comprehensive guide to inbound marketing, laying out a step-by-step process for businesses to attract, engage, and delight customers using content.
What You'll Learn:
The fundamental principles of inbound marketing, crafting content that aligns with your audience's journey, and strategies to turn visitors into loyal customers.
Why You Should Read It:
Gain a clear understanding of how to leverage content effectively in the digital age, using inbound methodologies to create meaningful customer relationships.
Quote From The Book:
"Effective content is not the product of a moment of inspiration, but the result of a process."
About The Author:
Justin Champion is a digital nomad and HubSpot's Content Professor. You can connect with him on his LinkedIn profile.
17. Content Machine: Use Content Marketing to Build a 7-figure Business With Zero Advertising by Dan Norris
Summary:
Dan Norris reveals how he utilized content marketing to build a million-dollar business without spending on advertising. The book showcases a blueprint for entrepreneurs to achieve similar success.
What You'll Learn:
Creating a content strategy that drives results, tactics for content promotion and distribution, and actionable steps to monetize your content efforts.
Why You Should Read It:
Uncover the power of content marketing in building a successful business, with real-world examples and actionable advice from someone who's done it.
Quote From The Book:
"Create exceptional content that delivers value to your audience, and they will be your best promotional tool."
About The Author:
Dan Norris is an entrepreneur, content marketing expert, and co-founder of WP Curve. Engage with him on LinkedIn, get his latest thoughts on Twitter, or delve deeper into content strategies on his personal website.
Which Content Marketing Books Do You Recommend?
If there are any outstanding content marketing books you believe should be on this list, please share your recommendations. I'm always eager to discover and delve into valuable reads.