25 Best Digital Marketing Books: How to Stand Out in a Crowded World

• Digital marketing books are the best source of information because they cover a variety of topics and marketing platforms.
• To find the book that best suits you, know your business goals and problem points. 
• “The Social Media Bible” is one of the best online marketing books. 
• “Digital Marketing for Dummies” is an excellent entry-level option.

In today’s world, your business will have difficulty growing if your digital marketing isn’t on point. You can have the best service or product on the market, but if people can’t see it – they won’t buy it.

Even though many resources can help you step up your digital marketing game, books on this topic are still one of the best sources of information. You can read a few blog posts and watch a few YouTube tutorials, but these mediums don’t allow creators to go as in-depth as needed.

Books, on the other hand, allow a virtually limitless space for expression. That’s a crucial point, especially when you’re looking to learn about a subject as vast as digital marketing.

To help you dive deeper into the world of digital marketing, we’ve prepared a list of the 25 best digital marketing books. We covered everything you need, from social media to SEO and content.

Picking The Right Digital Marketing Book

The world of books on digital marketing is also pretty populated. On the one hand, this is amazing news, as it means that there’s an endless source of information for you to explore. On the other hand, however, this offered variety may be slightly confusing.

We have some advice for those not quite sure which books would be the best to read. Before you dive into our list of best books on digital marketing, ask yourself what your business goal or problem is. If you still haven’t started your business, think about what you’d like to achieve with it once it’s established.

If you need help gaining visibility, retaining existing clients, or need to learn more about a specific digital marketing platform, we got you. Most people have absolutely no clue about anything when they are starting out.

By getting the answers, you’ll be able to pinpoint exactly what your goals and problem points are. Through that, you’ll easily be able to find the specific group of digital marketing books that will help you the most! Let’s move on to the list of 25 best digital marketing books!

List of 25 Best Digital Marketing Books

To make it easier to navigate this list, we’ve separated it into two sections. The first five will be books best suited for complete beginners. The following 20 books cover various digital marketing topics for more experienced marketers.

Digital Marketing for Dummies – Ryan Deiss & Russ Hennesberry

As the title suggests, this book is the simplest, easiest-to-follow introduction to digital marketing. Written for people who are just starting out in the field and would love a deep dive into the specifics, Digital Marketing for Dummies is a great first step!

The entire book is about giving you the proper tools that work best for you. It will help you understand web traffic, targeted digital strategies, convert web visitors into clients, and much more!

This book works great paired with other educational reads, like popular time management books, books on public speaking, and more. Combined, they can lay a great foundation for a successful marketer.

Understanding Digital Marketing – Damian Ryan & Calvin Jones

Another excellent beginner read, Understanding Digital Marketing does a wonderful job of showing you the ropes. This book focuses on the history of digital marketing, where it is today, and where it is headed.

Such a book is a true treasure in an ever-changing world and field. Understanding Digital Marketing aims to teach you the process of harnessing the digital media power and engaging the digital generation.

Contagious: Why Things Catch On – Jonah Berger  

A book that will teach you all about the science behind word-of-mouth and how to utilize its power. Written by a Wharton marketing professor, the book takes a deep dive into what makes the world of digital marketing tick.

The entire goal of Contagious is to explain all the techniques you can use to get people talking about your business and how to use them. Contagious is a great starter digital marketing book for everyone, from big CEOs to small business owners.

Permission Marketing – Seth Godin

Permission Marketing is a book everyone, even experienced digital marketers, should read. It introduces the topic of permission marketing, a powerful way of telling your story without being disruptive.

The book is all about changing the marketing world from within. It teaches how to build brand awareness, establish relationships with customers, and create trust in a natural, unobtrusive way. Permission Marketing is a book about the true digital marketing of today.

Duct Tape Marketing – John Jantsch 

Duct Tape Marketing is written by a small business coach for small business owners. In reality, it’s a size-inclusive book, meaning it’s great for small and big business owners alike.

John Jantsch goes over developing a marketing strategy so good it resembles the fix-for-everything, known-worldwide staple that is duct tape. This book will help you develop your own reliable and timeless digital marketing strategy and understand.

These are all the beginner-friendly best digital marketing books we wanted to include. From this point on, we’ll be covering all the books that dive a bit deeper into specifics.

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook – Gary Vaynerchuk

In his best-selling Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, Gary Vaynerchuk shows the blueprint to successful social media marketing strategies. A no-nonsense read, this book is all about being effective and purposeful with your marketing strategy and getting those results.

The author uses fun metaphors to detail the recipe for marketing success by focusing on every aspect of the marketing process. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook is an easy-to-follow, detailed guide for those who seriously want to learn what works in this industry.

Epic Content Marketing – Joe Pulizzi 

In a world where the word “epic” has such a huge value, having a marketing strategy that can be described as such is a game-changer.

In Epic Content Marketing, Joe Pulizzi teaches how to own the creative edge and produce content fit for instant and widespread distribution. This book doesn’t focus on one media type and covers socials, Google, mass media, and more.

Epic Content Marketing is a true 101 course on capturing the customer’s attention without them realizing it.

Hacking Growth – Sean Ellis & Morgan Brown 

Hacking Growth is a book that helps create a fantastic product and increase the customer base. It focuses on all the steps you must take to make the world hear about your awesome product or service.

Some of the biggest companies we know today used the concept of growth hacking before they got so successful. It’s an effective method that can really help you turn your business into an industry-leading giant.

The best part? Hacking Growth can teach you how.

You’re My Favorite Client – Mike Monteiro 

You’re My Favorite Client is written for designers and those who want to learn to recognize the best in the field. In it, Mike Monteiro shines a light on the mystery of designing a product, marketing it, and successfully selling it.

A book that concentrates on making the current version of your product the best version it can be, You’re My Favorite Client will teach you the secrets not many designers know.

The New Rules of Marketing & PR – David Meerman Scott

This is a book that will take you into the future and will also tell you exactly how you got there. An international bestseller, The New Rules of Marketing & PR is currently in its 4th edition.

It’s a modern-day step-by-step guide to harnessing the power of marketing and communication, a true treasure chest of insider knowledge. This book will teach you how to reach the right people at the right time through real-world success stories.

Hug Your Haters – Jay Baer

A true guide to the science behind customer displeasure, Hug Your Haters maps out the right way of handling complaints. Bestselling author Jay Baer teaches you ways to offer the utmost customer service.

The book offers real-life examples and how to handle them, showing you exactly how to elevate your connection with your customers, even when things seem dire. Consulting this book can answer many questions if you’ve ever gotten a negative review online!

Building a Story Brand – Donald Miller 

Building a Story Brand is the perfect example of the best digital marketing books list. It’s a top guide to messaging and how this can help drive more sales, generate more leads, and engage customers.

Donald Miller talks about the right words and how to use them. The book rests on the premise that if your customers can’t understand your brand, they won’t buy it. Building a Story Brand is easy-to-grasp, basically mandatory literature for anyone who really wants their story to be heard.

Content Machine – Dan Norris

Content Machine dives deep into the world of content creation and its marketing. The author, Dan Norris, stands firmly behind the fundamental teachings of content marketing. In fact, he’s used all the tips himself, managing to grow his business to a 6-figure worth with only $180 spent on advertising. Sounds captivating, doesn’t it?

Content Machine offers the secret to how good content markets itself. He includes real-life, applicable examples you can translate to your own business.

Art of SEO – Eric Enge 

A gateway that lets you peek behind the curtain of SEO success, the Art of SEO is a must-read. A truly comprehensive guide to building an SEO strategy that just works, this book is excellent for beginners and experienced marketers alike.

Author Eric Enge covers everything, from SEO basics to examining the effects of specific algorithms you want to use. Through this book, you’ll be able to find out exactly what SEO is, how to utilize it, and how to build a stellar SEO team and strategy.

Don’t Make Me Think – Steve Krug

Don’t Make Me Think is a staple and a classic when it comes to displaying information. The book is in its 3rd edition and covers the principles of information design and intuitive navigation.

Steve Krug uses a witty and practical way to teach you exactly how your brand and story can get the deserved attention. Don’t Make Me Think is all about building platforms that feel natural and intuitive to your clients. The author also updated it with a chapter on mobile usability.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – Robert Cialdini 

Influence elaborates on why people say YES and how to use this knowledge ethically. There’s a stigma that marketing has to be dishonest to work, and this book is all about disproving that claim.

Through specific examples, author Robert Cialdini explores marketing principles and just what makes a customer tick. Then, he provides the right tools for offering customers the things they need.

Influence is a true bestseller and a must-have addition to any best digital marketing books assembly.

Hooked – Nir Eyal 

A guide to customer acquisition and retention, Hooked talks about why people like the things they like. In addition, it offers insight into building an irresistible product for customers.

It’s recommended for both beginners and those who’ve already dipped their toes in business management. Hooked will help you identify the product’s strongest points and map out how to utilize them.

With a background in video games, Nir Eyal knows a thing or two about addictive products, and this book is the revelation.

Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got – Jay Abrahams

Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got talks about outthinking, outperforming, and outearning your competition. A comprehensive guide on how to use 100% of the opportunities that come your way, this book will change the way you view the world.

Using real-world examples and ideas you’re already familiar with, Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got is a true guide to business success. This book doesn’t make any empty promises. Instead, it helps you to make the very best of what you’ve got going on right now.

Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction – Derek Thompson 

Hit Makers takes it upon itself to unravel the mysteries of the distracted, overstimulated consumer. It also does an amazing job at it!

A book that sees far beyond what many others can, Hit Makers uses psychology to help you get your business in the spotlight. It also utilizes culture and its effect on various markets and how all of this can either make or break your business.

Hit Makers is another definitive staple on our list and a must-read we recommend to anyone.

Stories That Stick – Kindra Hall

Anyone can tell a story, but telling one in a captivating and memorable way is a rare skill and the author teaches exactly that.

Stories That Stick covers everything you need to know about telling your story and getting everything you want in the process. It’s a step-by-step guide on the importance and secrets of business storytelling.

The author, Kindra Hall, takes the time to outline and explain her one-of-a-kind storytelling principle that makes all the difference. Stories That Stick is a value-packed read that any serious business marketer should have on their to-read list.

If you want to take it further, you can pair this book with one of the most popular public speaking books. Combined, the two will make you an amazing storyteller (and marketer!) both online and in real life.

The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, & Strategies for Business Success – Lon Safko 

As the title suggests, The Social Media Bible holds a plethora of powerful information that will make you a believer in digital marketing.

A 700-page resource, this book covers every crevice of social media marketing and all the ways to make it work for you. It also evaluates different social media platforms to help you find the best ones to house your strategy and efforts.

The Social Media Bible is not an easy read, but it is a must-read on digital marketing. If you can pick only one book from our best digital marketing books list, let it be this one.

What Customers Crave – Nicholas J. Webb 

What Customers Crave understands how important knowing your customers is and what you need to do to meet their expectations.

A truly valuable read, What Customers Crave is a guide to predicting customer behavior and wants and what that means for your business. This book will transport you into the future through specific examples, showing you the right way to take.

It’s a great read for anyone interested in creating a digital marketing strategy that will withstand the test of time.

Lean Analytics – Benjamin Yoskovitz & Alistair Croll

Lean Analytics is written for startup owners who want to make a real change in the world. In a nutshell, the book covers how to know what people want, find your market, and build a product that satisfies it. It also teaches you how to market and monetize your creation.

A practical step-by-step guide, this book won’t leave you yearning for more information. It’s simply a perfect read for anyone thinking of establishing their own business.

Digital Marketing That Actually Works – Krista Neher

The must-have guide to digital marketing strategies that actually works. Digital Marketing That Actually Works is a comprehensive read that answers questions, perfect for anyone who wants to put in the work and get results back. It goes over every core concept of the field and covers a vast variety of topics.

Digital Marketing That Actually Works is a fantastic read if you are interested in the intricacies of digital marketing.

The Big Data-Driven Business – Russel Glass & Sean Callahan

Last, but most certainly not least, we have The Big Data-Driven Business. Another amazing read, it’s all about handling big data to win new customers over and boost your profits.

Dealing with big data can be intimidating, and this book deals with this issue. Through carefully chosen, real-life examples, The Big Data-Driven Business teaches you the ways to understand your customers and prospects.

Even if you don’t know what big data is now, by the end of this book, you’ll be able to utilize it responsibly and effectively grow your business.

Best Books for Digital Marketing: The Conclusion

We hope our list of the 25 best digital marketing books helped you find that game-changing read. It’s a comprehensive list and includes a little something for everyone – from beginners to expert-level marketers. Before you make your pick, don’t forget to pinpoint your business goals and problem points.

We wish you and your business ventures good luck and prosperity. Who knows, maybe someday in the future your book will find its place on another best digital marketing books list!

FAQs

1) Which is the best book for online marketing?

The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, & Strategies for Business Success by Lon Safko is one of the best digital marketing books out there. It’s great for both beginners and veterans.

2) What are some popular digital marketing books for students?

Students will find the following books very helpful: Digital Marketing for Dummies by Ryan Deiss & Russ Hennesberry, Permission Marketing by Seth Godin, and Understanding Digital Marketing by Damian Ryan & Calvin Jones.

3) What kinds of topics do digital marketing books cover?

Digital marketing books cover the history and progress of digital marketing, building digital marketing campaigns, consumer psychology, SEO strategies, product design, and more.

4) How to pick the right digital marketing book from reputed stores?

To pick the right digital marketing book, make sure you know your business goals first. Digital marketing books can be vast or very specific, so in order to get what you need, you have to know what you’re looking for.