8 Books That Will Boost Your Inbound Marketing Strategy

We’re life-long learners at echogravity. Success doesn’t come to people who lounge around like fat cats on their old wins. It happens when they expose themselves to new ways of thinking, embrace new strategies, and shake things up. That’s why you’ll see us (when we aren’t delivering killer marketing), absorbed in good books. And an inbound marketing strategy with static knowledge is as good as sending your business to the boneyard. So, if you want to improve your marketing game or just improve yourself, we have recommendations for you.

Kevin O’Brien – Founder and Partner

“Content Rules” by Ann Handley is the bible for content marketing. Her book, in my humble opinion, is still one of the best reads for anyone looking to get aboard the content marketing train. Because it’s not a question of whether or not you need content anymore (the jury is clear that one) but whether or not your content makes waves that generate leads.

But where do you start? How do you differentiate your voice from all the static? Handley goes through the rules and the how-tos for aspiring content creators. And she provides 10 case studies that you can mirror as you start your own content marketing journey. It has been a great foundation for our inbound marketing strategy.

Bridgette Barry – Inbound Marketing Manager

I’m always looking for new ways to get the most out of my day. Reading “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg gave me incredible insight into my own daily life. “The Power of Habit” is a really engaging book with interesting case studies on the effects of habit, compulsion, and self-control in our everyday lives and the world around us.

There are even ways that this leads back to your inbound marketing strategy. Big retailers watch the habits of their customers like hawks. The goal is to diagnose needs before they happen and present brand messages to buyers when they’re ready to hear it. Knowing buyer habits makes sure your message is heard.

Brian Jameson – Partner and Cofounder

“The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor is one of those books that can affect your whole life. What I like about it is that Achor explains how to reprogram your brain to become more positive in order to gain a competitive edge at work. Positive people are able to achieve greater outcomes because they aren’t subject to the self-imposed mental roadblocks that negative people face.

And negativity isn’t permanent. Some people are naturally more positive, but Achor outlines ways that people can make a change in their lives to be happier and more productive. It’s more than just feel good mumbo-jumbo. Science, history, and case studies back up everything he recommends.

Megan Blair – Inbound Marketing Manager

One book I LOVE and highly recommend is “Quiet: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” I am an introvert and once I read this book, there were certain qualities about myself that just clicked. In my own life, I learned that my husband, a true extrovert, turns the radio up so loud because he can handle higher decibels than I can as an introvert.

And it helped me in business. There are instances of introverts who have taught themselves to be extroverts to thrive in the business world. Extroverts pipe up in meetings and talk, and introverts ponder the big picture and think over strategies internally. And what you have to say can be just as valuable. You just have to find your voice.

Soledad Di Paola – Creative Manager

I absolutely love learning about design. What’s amazing is that you apply so many aspects of a design perspective to your business and life. This is why I loved “Graphic Design Thinking” by Ellen Lupton. This book is very hands-on and helps you to move step by step through the design process.

Now, I move through each step (defining the challenge, brainstorming ideas, and creating the final form) as if it were a natural process. And all of the designs inside are great for sparking ideas.

Lisa Woods – Social Media Marketing Manager

“Happy Is the New Healthy” by Dave Romanelli is about shifting the way you think and live. It’s about saying yes and becoming fully engaged. Embrace what you’re doing fully and your creativity opens up in ways you’d never imagined.

The world is a crazy place. You can shy away and hide, or you can engage in life.  The stories you get from Dave’s book are uplifting and inspiring and help you to come back to your life and your work with passion.

James Walsh – Copywriter

I found “Contagious: Why Things Catch On” by Jonah Berger to be a great read. Before you start thinking about your inbound marketing strategy, making content go viral seems as calculated as winning the Mega Million. But Berger studies six factors he believes are the cornerstones of contagious marketing. As he walks through the value of each component, he shares his own research, existing case studies, and real life examples of viral content.

One of the most powerful aspects of good content is that it tells a story. Plenty of your competitors regurgitate the same information as the rest, but those who nurture leads by engaging their prospects see greater success in the long term.

Clare Saumell – Content Marketing Manager

I really like “On Writing” by Stephen King. Part biography and part writing guide, “On Writing” is an engaging read from start to finish. Though not specifically about copywriting, most of his advice is applicable for B2B writers. He talks about writing for an Ideal Reader (basically appealing to your customer segments), opposes adverbs in favor of using rich verbs, and advocates cutting any simile or metaphor that’s been passed around like a deteriorating dollar bill.

Most important of all, King says, ‘If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.’ That applies to any type of content creation, whether you’re writing a blog or creating an email marketing campaign. If you aren’t learning from the good and the bad examples of content in your industry, then you’ll have a hard time convincing prospects to take a leap and become buyers.

Putting Smart Inbound Marketing Strategy to Use

All of the little lessons you pick up along the way from these books and others can impact your inbound marketing strategy in ways you’d never imagine until you dive into the new knowledge. But sometimes, it’s hard to make time to expose yourself to every strategy that could benefit your company. That’s when partnering with an inbound marketing agency pays off.

When you work with echogravity, for example, you get access to the intelligence, experience, and drive of each one of our team members. Our full service marketing offers you a specialist in a different marketing discipline and our love of learning ensures that we’ll make informed decisions that constantly improve the way you engage buyers. Contact us today to boost your inbound marketing strategy.