If it’s been a while since you read a book from cover to cover, it’s time to recharge your intellect. And given the rapidly shifting field, marketers especially need self-educating.

Having a get-go attitude in the physical arena helps, but how can you evolve in addition to that?

Your reading habits can have a direct impact on your professional success. Build your knowledge and become an effective marketer.

Each of the following books helps you meet this criterion:

1. Hug Your Haters by Jay Baer

This was counted as one of 2016’s ‘Top 3 business books’ by Strategy: Business Magazine. Hug Your Haters presents a relevant and entertaining twist on traditional customer service.

Did you know that 80% of companies claim to deliver superior customer service while only a shocking 8% of the customers agree?

In this marketing book, Jay Baer updates the reader on today’s customer service – more than connecting with buyers via email or phone, marketers should engage with consumers on social media.

With the help of research, Baer provides a compelling approach for handling internet trolls and addressing every complaint in an age where more than one-third of complaints go unanswered.

2. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

This marketing book offers to make you rich and not by stock-picking. It’s based on 13 common habits of successful and wealthy individuals, distilled from a group of more than 500 people over a span of 20 years.

Hill’s book goes on to explain that one needs to master the self before mastering the world. With a pinch of positivity, an ounce of faith, and plenty of practice, mastery of self can be anyone’s to claim.

Hill has answers for every objective, whether it is outlining a definite purpose or getting the perfect job or building self-confidence. Think and Grow Rich is the perfect dose of motivation and inspiration.

3. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle 

Every day we’re trying to learn new skills and improve upon old ones. But do you want to get good at, well, everything? Building on ideas from the science of performance, Coyle provides a blueprint for just that.

Whether you want to be a top-notch athlete, a world-class performer or artist, your talent is yours to code. Coyle’s marketing book breaks down talent into three fundamental parts from a neurological standpoint. He believes that if you can orchestrate these parts in harmony, you can do anything.

Follow his approach, and you may end up trying new things every time. Your life is definitely going be richer, whether personally or professionally.

4. Shoe dog by Phil Knight 

This is the autobiography of Nike founder Phil Knight. He finally decided to share the tale of how he founded one of the most iconic and profitable brands in the world.

A marketing book as well as a memoir, it overflows with insights and lessons on how to not only communicate a sound brand vision but also live it.

While the theory of marketing and an understanding of the mechanics is vital, with the help of case studies, this book demonstrates how to implement these tactics successfully.

One of the primary takeaways from this book is that you don’t get many chances to start something life-changing, so when you do, take it!

5. Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith

Are you selling a product or a service? Did you say product? Then think again.

Look around you; a majority of the companies like American Express, Levi’s, and McDonald’s are selling services more than products.

In comparison with products, services are characteristically less visible. They’re often intangible. But a customer needs to purchase the service of a haircut before experiencing it.

In this book, Beckwith provides more than 100 insights and tips for marketers, salespeople, and business owners on how to effectively sell services.

6. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

Ever wondered why some products capture attention while others wash out? And why you engage with certain products out of habit? Is there an underlying pattern for how technology hooks us? The answers to all these questions and more can be found in Eyal’s book.

It’s predominantly based on the ‘hook model’, which creates habit-forming behaviour using a four-step process. These ‘hook cycles’ enable users to come back multiple times with the least amount of aggressive messaging or advertising.

And it is Eyal, who after years of consultation, research, and practical experience, formulated the hook.

7. Epic Content Marketing by Joe Pulizzi 

Customers are exposed to more than 5000 marketing messages in a day. How will you determine if your message is cutting through the clutter and creating an impact?

According to research, the average customer engages with more than 10 pieces of content before making a purchase. Online customers have access to extensive information and, hence, your content has to stand out and be unique.

Go on a step-by-step approach with Pulizzi on the ways of developing content that can compel, entertain, and inform potential customers to act and make a decision without telling them to. This ground-breaking guide gives you the right tools to begin creating and disseminating content, which results in increased growth and profit.

Whether you are a digital marketer, CMO of a Fortune 500 company, or an entrepreneur, your library should include this marketing book.

8. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey

Do you want to be successful? Well, who doesn’t?! Then why not learn from the best of the best who have achieved remarkable success in their life?

In this masterpiece, Covey combines the habits of the best leaders. He suggests you change your mindset and approach about time management, positive thinking, and productivity before adopting the seven habits that the book highlights.

Covey’s work certainly imparts valuable lessons that you can treasure for the rest of your life.

Final thoughts

Turn over a new leaf; pick up a book and start reading. A leopard can’t change its spots, but it can definitely change its dietary habits. Reading a good book is like going on a journey. It’s time you start yours!