The best marketing mastery books to better understand customers

Why am I passionate about this?

Simply put, I am a marketer (for over two decades). Yet, I am fascinated with the human brain. In my opinion, the two go together. To create powerful marketing messages, we must understand the mind of our customers. While working on my doctorate in general psychology, I was able to dive deep into consumer behavior and the psychological factors that drive us. All of my recommended books touch on psychology in some way or another and will teach you how to motivate your customers to take action.


I wrote...

The Power of Scarcity: Leveraging Urgency and Demand to Influence Customer Decisions

By Mindy Weinstein,

Book cover of The Power of Scarcity: Leveraging Urgency and Demand to Influence Customer Decisions

What is my book about?

The Power of Scarcity uncovers the psychology behind scarcity and how it affects our decision-making. The author shares case studies, interviews with executives from brands such as McDonald's, Harry & David, and 1-800-Flowers.com. The book delves into the four types of scarcity, the effects of scarcity on shoppers, the psychological impact of persuasion, FOMO, and how scarcity can be ethically applied. It also includes the pitfalls of scarcity. The book is a valuable resource for understanding the power of scarcity and how it can be used to influence customer decisions.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

Mindy Weinstein Why did I love this book?

This book is a classic in the field of persuasion and influence and it is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their ability to influence customers in a business setting.

The book provides a comprehensive understanding of the psychological principles of persuasion and how they can be applied in a business context. It covers topics such as social proof, authority, scarcity, liking, consistency, and commitment. Each principle is explained in detail with practical applications that can be used in a business setting. The principles discussed in the book are based on decades of research and experiments, making it an authoritative source of information on the topic.

By Robert B. Cialdini,

Why should I read it?

22 authors picked Influence as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The foundational and wildly popular go-to resource for influence and persuasion-a renowned international bestseller, with over 5 million copies sold-now revised adding: new research, new insights, new examples, and online applications.

In the new edition of this highly acclaimed bestseller, Robert Cialdini-New York Times bestselling author of Pre-Suasion and the seminal expert in the fields of influence and persuasion-explains the psychology of why people say yes and how to apply these insights ethically in business and everyday settings. Using memorable stories and relatable examples, Cialdini makes this crucially important subject surprisingly easy. With Cialdini as a guide, you don't have…


Book cover of Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

Mindy Weinstein Why did I love this book?

Building a Storybrand is a book I recommend a lot to my marketing students at the university where I teach. This book provides a clear and effective framework for crafting a compelling brand story that resonates with customers. Miller's approach is easy to understand and implement, and it has helped me to clarify my own messages. Additionally, the book is filled with real-life examples and case studies that illustrate the principles in action. This book will help you improve your messaging and connect with customers in a more meaningful way.

By Donald Miller,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Building a Storybrand as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

More than half-a-million business leaders have discovered the power of the StoryBrand Framework, created by New York Times bestselling author and marketing expert Donald Miller. And they are making millions.

If you use the wrong words to talk about your product, nobody will buy it. Marketers and business owners struggle to effectively connect with their customers, costing them and their companies millions in lost revenue.

In a world filled with constant, on-demand distractions, it has become near-impossible for business owners to effectively cut through the noise to reach their customers, something Donald Miller knows first-hand. In this book, he shares…


Book cover of The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Mindy Weinstein Why did I love this book?

I read The Tipping Point nearly 10 years ago and it has stuck with me. The book explores how small changes can lead to big impacts. Gladwell does a good job examining the factors that contribute to the spread of ideas, products, and behaviors, and he provides valuable insights into how to create and capitalize on "tipping points" in business and society. The book is filled with fascinating examples that illustrate Gladwell's points in a compelling and engaging way. Whether you're a marketer, entrepreneur, or just someone who wants to make a difference, The Tipping Point will change the way you think about the world.

By Malcolm Gladwell,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked The Tipping Point as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An introduction to the Tipping Point theory explains how minor changes in ideas and products can increase their popularity and how small adjustments in an individual's immediate environment can alter group behavior.


Book cover of Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping

Mindy Weinstein Why did I love this book?

I read this book on an airplane and was asked by the person next to me why I needed to learn about why I buy things. Well, this book is for anyone interested in understanding consumer behavior and the psychology of shopping. It’s an in-depth exploration of how shoppers interact with products and environments and provides valuable insights into how businesses can improve their sales and customer satisfaction. Underhill backs up his observations with a wealth of research and data. 

By Paco Underhill,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Why We Buy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Synopsis coming soon.......


Book cover of Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

Mindy Weinstein Why did I love this book?

I found Predictably Irrational by Dr. Dan Ariely fascinating. This book provides a deep understanding of how and why people make decisions and how these decisions are affected by emotions, social norms, and other hidden forces. As a marketer, understanding the predictable irrationality of human behavior can help you craft more effective campaigns, pricing strategies, and communication. The book will improve your understanding of consumer behavior and help you make better decisions.

By Dan Ariely,

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked Predictably Irrational as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Why do smart people make irrational decisions every day? The answers will surprise you. Predictably Irrational is an intriguing, witty and utterly original look at why we all make illogical decisions.

Why can a 50p aspirin do what a 5p aspirin can't? If an item is "free" it must be a bargain, right? Why is everything relative, even when it shouldn't be? How do our expectations influence our actual opinions and decisions?

In this astounding book, behavioural economist Dan Ariely cuts to the heart of our strange behaviour, demonstrating how irrationality often supplants rational thought and that the reason for…


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Book cover of Adventures in the Radio Trade: A Memoir

Joe Mahoney Author Of Adventures in the Radio Trade: A Memoir

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Broadcaster Family man Dog person Aspiring martial artist

Joe's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Adventures in the Radio Trade documents a life in radio, largely at Canada's public broadcaster. It's for people who love CBC Radio, those interested in the history of Canadian Broadcasting, and those who want to hear about close encounters with numerous luminaries such as Margaret Atwood, J. Michael Straczynski, Stuart McLean, Joni Mitchell, Peter Gzowski, and more. And it's for people who want to know how to make radio.

Crafted with gentle humour and thoughtfulness, this is more than just a glimpse into the internal workings of CBC Radio. It's also a prose ode to the people and shows that make CBC Radio great.

By Joe Mahoney,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Adventures in the Radio Trade as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"In dozens of amiable, frequently humorous vignettes... Mahoney fondly recalls his career as a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio technician in this memoir... amusing and highly informative."
— Kirkus Reviews

"What a wonderful book! If you love CBC Radio, you'll love Adventures in the Radio Trade. Joe Mahoney's honest, wise, and funny stories from his three decades in broadcasting make for absolutely delightful reading!
— Robert J. Sawyer, author of The Oppenheimer Alternative''

"No other book makes me love the CBC more."
— Gary Dunford, Page Six
***
Adventures in the Radio Trade documents a life in radio, largely at Canada's…


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Interested in persuasion, decision making, and customer success?

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