The 8 best marketing books for B2B CEOS in 2024

Today, marketing isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have. But, here’s the good news: you don’t need a flashy ad campaign or a massive budget to drive growth for your business. What you do need is a solid understanding of your audience, a killer value proposition, and the know-how to get your message in front of the right people.

Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and strategies in the industry to make the right decisions and drive meaningful growth for your business. Here’s a list of the 8 best B2B marketing books to read in 2024.  

• Hacking Growth by Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown
• Hug Your Haters by Jay Baer
• Hooked by Nir Eyal
• Traction
• Permission Marketing by Seth Godin
• On Purpose by Pete Steege
• The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
• Content Machine by Dan Norris

1. Hacking Growth by Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown

This book is a must-read for anyone looking to drive rapid growth for their business. The authors, Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown, share their proven framework for identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities. From user acquisition to retention and monetization, "Hacking Growth" provides a comprehensive guide to building a sustainable growth engine.

2. Hug Your Haters by Jay Baer

This book explores the art of handling customer complaints and turning them into opportunities. Jay Baer offers practical strategies for engaging with unhappy customers, turning them into brand advocates, and improving overall customer satisfaction. Learn about the true power of empathy in marketing here.

3. Hooked by Nir Eyal

Nir Eyal's "Hooked" delves into the psychology of habit formation, introducing the idea of building a product and marketing your brand in a way that helps customers form a habit. Once they’re “hooked”, you can build customer loyalty. The book explores this four-step "Hook Model" and how it can be applied to various industries, from tech startups to traditional businesses.

4. Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman

Not specific to marketing, but important for company growth, this book explains the vital role data plays in facilitating productive discussions and decision-making within your company. By employing a concise set of metrics, you can effectively steer both your company and its departments. These metrics not only provide insight into the present state but also help in pinpointing potential issues and forecasting future trends.

5. Permission Marketing by Seth Godin

In a world where consumers are bombarded with intrusive advertising, Seth Godin's "Permission Marketing" offers a refreshing approach. The book emphasizes the importance of building relationships with customers and earning their trust before attempting to sell to them. By providing value and gaining permission, marketers can create more effective and engaging campaigns.

6. On Purpose: The CEO's Guide to Marketing with Meaning by Pete Steege

At PipelineRoad, we believe in marketing with purpose, and this book speaks to just that. Pete reframes B2B marketing by focusing first on why you are marketing, rather than just the results.

7. The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

Another one not particularly specific to marketing, but helpful for growth and making decisions, The Big Leap is about changing your overall perspective so you can embrace a philosophy that'll help you achieve your full potential. The book delves into the notion of the "upper limit problem," shedding light on how we often undermine our own progress –presenting tactics to overcome these obstacles and personal growth seem like an exciting journey rather than a dull chore.

8. Content Machine by Dan Norris

Here’s a really amazing story of an agency owner that grew his business from $0 to $600k in 2 years with no online advertising. He did it with content and in this book he shares the exact framework he used for his content marketing efforts. It’s a little more basic than the other content-related books on our list but it’s still a really great read.

There you have it -but this doesn't cover everything (we may share a part 2 of this list). These handpicked marketing books offer invaluable insights and strategies to propel B2B CEOs and marketing leaders forward in 2024. From understanding consumer behavior to mastering digital trends, each book should empower you to navigate marketing with confidence and drive unprecedented growth. Happy reading!

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