Skip to main content

3 Marketing Books Every Small Business Owner Should Read

In the world of marketing, it's essential to capture your audience's attention and convey your message effectively.

These books serve as valuable resources, helping to craft compelling narratives, integrate powerful strategies, and create remarkable content that resonates with your customers.

Essential Marketing Books for Small Business Owners

Want to recharge creativity or get an inexpensive education from some of the best marketers around? Here are three resources to consider.

"Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message so Customers Will Listen" by Donald Miller

Everyone loves a story . . . but what is a Storybrand?

The framework in "Building a StoryBrand" applies the universal elements of storytelling to brand messaging. While prospective buyers think primarily about themselves, marketers often start by blasting people with unhelpful or (seemingly) irrelevant information.

Here's one example from Miller's book: “Imagine your customer is a hitchhiker. You pull over to give him a ride, and the one burning question on his mind is simply Where are you going? But as he approaches, you roll down the window and start talking about your mission statement, or how your grandfather built this car with his bare hands, or how your road-trip playlist is all 1980s alternative. This person doesn’t care.”

The goal of StoryBrand is to create clear, compelling narratives where the customer is the "hero," and the brand serves as a "guide" to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Let's personalize this:

Who is the specific hero (your buyer)?

What is the problem they face?

What would it look like for your hero to hit a grand slam this season?

How can the guide (your company!) provide actionable steps to give them this victory?

Whether you're promoting a garage band or a presidential candidate, "Building a StoryBrand" will transform how you talk about who you are, what you do, and the unique value you offer.

"Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini 

In “Influence,” Robert Cialdini explores the psychology behind why people say 'yes' and offers ethical strategies for applying these insights in business and everyday interactions.

Cialdini introduces six principles essential for creating persuasive marketing materials. Through relatable examples and engaging stories, he makes these complex concepts accessible and easy to understand.

By incorporating these principles into print campaigns, you can craft content that resonates with the target audience and encourages them to take action.

"Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable" by Seth Godin

To compete in a crowded market, every brand must differentiate itself in ways that resonate with core customers.

Today's consumers are too flooded with stimuli to listen to the typical pitch. If you want to turn heads and get people talking, Seth Goodin has the secret recipe.

"Purple Cow" explains (and demonstrates) what it means to find and feature a wow factor for your business as you connect with the right audience, feature your unique selling proposition, and embrace remarkability.

Want to transform your products or your pitch so they stand out like a purple cow in a herd of Holsteins?

As your dedicated "quality connoisseur," we're here to consult, create, and help you bring immaculate ideas to life! Head to our website to get started on your next print project today.

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Make a Statement with Flyers: 5 Things You Might Not Know About Effective Design

  Flyers have been around for decades, but they’re anything but old news. In fact, when done well, they can be one of the most cost-effective and attention-grabbing tools in your marketing mix. The trick? Knowing what most people miss. Here are five flyer design strategies that often go overlooked—and how you can use them to your advantage. 1. Headlines Don’t Have to Explain—They Have to Stop People Your headline isn’t a label. It’s a hook. A lot of flyers start with something safe: “Annual Clearance Sale” or “Join Us for Our Spring Open House.” That’s fine—but it’s also forgettable. If you want someone to actually read your flyer, the headline has to stop them in their tracks. Some options to consider: Ask a question: “Tired of Overpaying for Car Repairs?” Use urgency: “This Weekend Only. No Extensions.” Go bold: “You Bring the Crowd. We’ll Bring the Fireworks.” You can always explain more in the subhead. But the headline’s job is to earn that second glance. 2. White Spa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Showcase Your Brand with Unique Printing Techniques That Reflect Your Style

  Your print materials don’t just share information—they express who you are. Whether you’re designing brochures, business cards, or product packaging, the finishing choices you make can help your brand stand out in ways that are memorable, tactile, and entirely you. But not every technique fits every brand. What feels premium to one customer might feel over-the-top to another. Here’s how to think about pairing your brand’s personality with unique printing techniques that leave a lasting impression. The Bold and Energetic Brand You’re not trying to blend in—you want to get noticed. For brands with a high-energy identity—think entertainment, retail, hospitality, events—the goal is to attract attention fast. That doesn’t mean going over the top. It means choosing finishes that emphasize movement, light, or contrast. Examples to consider: Spot UV that highlights just one element (like a logo or product image) against a matte background Neon inks for a punch of color that sta...
Post a Comment
Read more

Patriotic Designs for Memorial Day: H.O.N.O.R. in Print

Memorial Day is a time for reflection—a chance to express gratitude, remember those who served, and unite communities around a shared sense of purpose. While print can’t encapsulate the weight of sacrifice, it plays a quiet and important role in how we honor it. Here’s how thoughtful design helped this year’s Memorial Day messages resonate, using a format that reflects the heart of the holiday itself. H — Hold Space for Stillness Not every flyer needs to be loud to be effective. In fact, the best Memorial Day designs created room for the message to breathe. Whether it was ample white space or a single symbolic image—a folded flag, a solitary silhouette, a poppy in bloom—this restraint helped invite reflection. Design takeaway: When designing for remembrance, let stillness speak. Skip the clutter. Choose fewer elements with more weight. O — Opt for Meaningful Color Red, white, and blue are foundational to patriotic design—but not every campaign needs to use them at full saturat...
Post a Comment
Read more