Our marketing agency thrives on helping businesses—it’s quite literally our business to grow your business—but truly we are a powerhouse of creatives and strategists who are seriously invested in the work we do. That being said, over the years, we’ve filled a rather large bookshelf with books that have shaped the strategy and advice we give our clients! These books have fueled our creativity, and refined our approach to branding, marketing and business growth as a team (and as individuals).
Today I’m going to share some of the books that impressed something upon myself and my team—books we’d buy copies of to press into the hands of our clients, and utter the far too commonly used phrase, “this is a MUST read!”
Books on Branding and Positioning
Play Bigger, by Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, and Kevin Maney
This book fundamentally changed the way we think about positioning. It’s so essential, we wrote a whole blog about it. The premise is that the world’s most impressive businesses are able to succeed at such scale because they create, and then dominate, completely new product categories. They introduce not just a better way to do something, but a different way to do it.
The Play Bigger team calls these companies “Category Kings.” Think of your Apple, Uber, Facebook, Netflix, Salesforce types. This book will teach you to frame the problem that your business solves in a compelling way; do things differently (not necessarily better) and develop a strong, clear point of view that connects your product, company and category. If you read one book on this list, make it this one.
The Hero and the Outlaw: Building Extraordinary Brands Through the Power of Archetypes, by Margaret Mark and Carol S. Pearson
This deep dive into archetypal branding is a game-changer. It explores the psychological underpinnings of brand storytelling, helping businesses develop identities that resonate on a deeper level. Understanding whether your brand is a Hero (Nike, inspiring people to push limits) or an Outlaw (Harley-Davidson, embracing rebellion) can shape marketing and messaging strategies in powerful ways. We used this approach when undergoing our own company rebrand to guide an identity which resonated with our team and our clients.
Books on Business Growth and Market Entry
The Cold Start Problem: How to Start and Scale Network Effects, by Andrew Chen
Written by one of Uber’s early leaders, this book is a masterclass on solving the classic chicken-and-egg dilemma that plagues marketplace businesses. It tackles how companies like Airbnb, Uber, and LinkedIn overcame initial traction challenges by strategically building both supply and demand. The book is particularly valuable for businesses that rely on network effects and need to scale their user base efficiently.
Purchase Link: The Cold Start Problem: How to Start and Scale Network Effects
Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist, by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson
This one’s dry, really really dry. But it’s a must-read for anyone looking to secure venture capital. It breaks down the intricacies of term sheets, funding structures, and negotiation tactics in an accessible way. Even if you’re not actively fundraising, understanding how investors think can help business owners make smarter financial and strategic decisions, and save you from making costly mistakes.
Purchase Link: Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist
Get Backed: Craft Your Story, Build the Perfect Pitch Deck, and Launch the Venture of Your Dreams, by Evan Baehr and Evan Loomis
This book is all about pitch decks and fundraising. It provides real-world examples of decks used by successful startups to raise millions. While some examples are slightly outdated, the core principles of clear storytelling, concise messaging, and compelling visuals remain invaluable for any business seeking investment.
Books on Work Culture and Productivity
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work, by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
A few years ago, we had everyone at the agency read this book. It challenges the idea that success requires burnout. The authors, founders of Basecamp, advocate for a calmer, more thoughtful approach to work, encouraging practices like eliminating unnecessary meetings, minimizing notifications, and setting clear boundaries to improve productivity and well-being. Focused, calm businesses outperform chaotic, overworked ones.
Purchase Link: It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step, by Edward de Bono
A classic that influenced how we approach creative problem-solving. De Bono presents techniques to help businesses and individuals break out of conventional thinking patterns. This book has been a guiding force in shaping the way we run brainstorming and strategy sessions, helping teams come up with innovative solutions to business challenges. When conventional thinking isn’t working, this book helps you step sideways and find a completely novel approach.
Purchase Link: Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
Books on Business Models and Value Propositions
Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers, by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur
A must-have for visualizing business models. The “Business Model Canvas” introduced in this book provides a structured way to map out how a company creates, delivers, and captures value. This tool is particularly useful for entrepreneurs and marketers looking to refine their business strategy and understand revenue drivers. A great business model is just as important as a great product—use this book to help you map it out clearly before scaling.
Purchase Link: Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want, by Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur, Gregory Bernarda, and Alan Smith
Another work in the same series, this book dives deeper into crafting a compelling value proposition. It provides frameworks to ensure that a company’s offerings align with customer needs, helping businesses design products and services that truly resonate with their audience. It teaches you that your product isn’t what matters most—your customers' problems and how you solve them do.
Purchase Link: Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want
Borrow From Our Bookshelf
Marketing isn’t just about a killer ad creative or smart media buys; it’s about positioning, psychology, and understanding the game. These books have influenced the way we think, work, and guide our clients to success. But don’t just take our word for it—swing by our office for a chat and take a book home. (Just promise you’ll bring it back!)
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