Stephen King famously said, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or tools) to write.” His words are even truer when strategizing and improving your content.
Marketers can learn from the best minds and experiences to build content that can launch their startups and scale.
This list of content marketing books provides the latest tips and information from the most experienced content creators today. They were published within the last two years and can help you create better content, strategy, and learn from high-performing professionals.
Top content marketing books of 2024
1. Create Once, Distribute Forever: How Great Creators Spread Their Ideas and How You Can Too by Ross Simmonds
Ross Simmonds is the distribution king; his content is all over LinkedIn, X, and other top platforms.
In his book, he lays out his strategy for creating the best value for each piece of content with real-world examples and frameworks. Simmonds provides valuable strategies and actual examples of repurposing and distributing content, such as articles and videos.
Great for: Content marketers who want to build their brand by making evergreen resources.
2. Pillar-Based Marketing: A Data-Driven Methodology for SEO and Content That Actually Works by Christopher “Toph” Day and Ryan Brock
SEO plans can get complicated quickly when flooded with data and different strategies. The authors of Pillar-Based Marketing show you how to build a strategy that aligns with how your customers and clients actually behave and what they need.
Understand the thought process behind decisions to improve your discoverability on search engines so you can increase sales.
Great for: Marketers who want to create an SEO strategy based on long-form content.
3. The Autonomous Freelancer: On your own terms. In your own time. At your own rate. By Dominic Kent
If you build the biggest, most profitable business in the world but hate it, is it even worth it? Ultimately, you build a startup because you love to do it and want to create a life you’re passionate about.
Instead of trying to figure it out backward when it’s too late, Dominic Kent shows you how to build a freelance business from the ground up on the terms you want— like more freedom, time flexibility, boundaries, and more.
Great for: Freelancers who want to build a business that works for them.
4. Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win by April Dunford
April Dunford, an expert on product positioning and marketing, helps founders stand out in a flooded market. Learn how to position and present your product so it sticks and converts to sales in this winning business book.
Great for: Marketers who want to improve their sales skills for copywriting and content.
5. How To Become A Successful Creative Freelancer: The Business Guide That Helps You Start Strong And Grow Like A Pro by Andy Strote
Andy Strote has already provided invaluable tips based on decades of experience in How to Start a Successful Creative Agency. Now he’s back with the brand new release of his book on freelancers.
Strote tackles two challenges: delivering your services and operating your business. He gives real, actionable tips to define your offering, identify red flags, and how to negotiate.
You can use this to build your business and use what you learn to develop a content strategy to attract the right customers on your terms.
Great for: Freelancers that want strategies and tips from an experienced copywriting agency owner.
6. Hidden Genius: The secret ways of thinking that power the world’s most successful people by Polina Pompliano
What’s the secret ingredient to extraordinary success? Find out the stories of real people and how their journey (often unconventional) led to incredible outcomes.
Plus, learn Pompliano’s powerful storytelling techniques first-hand. The author studies and distills what she learns so you can improve your life, business, and strategies.
Great for: Content strategists who want to study the behaviors and habits of the most high-performing individuals today.
7. Very Good Copy: 207 Micro-Lessons on Thinking and Writing by Eddie Shleyner
Many books tell you what to do. Few show you.
Very Good Copy covers real-life examples of copy so that you can improve your tactics and work from inspiration. It’s an outstanding book to kickstart brainstorming as you work on your copy and content.
Great for: Marketers who want to learn copywriting techniques by example.
Where it matters
No matter the content marketing strategy, such as social media marketing or search engine optimization for exposure, use resources to learn, read, and apply.
Books on content marketing can save you decades of experience. But every situation and business is unique, and what you learn is only as valuable as what you do with it.
That’s why experience is always the best teacher. Use these content marketing books, but couple your reading with action to build the kind of business you want.
Are you seeking a B2B content writer to produce articles that engage your target audience and drive action? Contact me for more information.
