Fans pick 100 books like Duct Tape Marketing The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide

By John Jantsch,

Here are 100 books that Duct Tape Marketing The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide fans have personally recommended if you like Duct Tape Marketing The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Book cover of Confessions of an Advertising Man

Mark Beal Author Of ZEO: Introducing Gen Z – The New Generation Of Leaders

From my list on inspiring creativity, transformation, and innovation.

Why am I passionate about this?

For more than 30 years I have been immersed in creative public relations and marketing from campaign development and activation to effectively engaging the primary consumer audiences. Me and my teams developed campaigns around such major sports and entertainment properties as the Olympic Games, Super Bowl, and The Rolling Stones. No matter your industry, inspiration for creativity, transformation, and innovation can come from many sources including the compelling storytelling featured in the books that I recommend.  

Mark's book list on inspiring creativity, transformation, and innovation

Mark Beal Why did Mark love this book?

Often called the “Father of Advertising,” David Ogilvy pulls back the curtain on his career and the advertising industry in the mid to late 1900s.

Strategic and creative approaches to marketing that he and his colleagues took decades ago are still timely, relevant, and applicable in today’s social and digital media world.  

By David Ogilvy,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Confessions of an Advertising Man as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?



A new edition of the timeless business classic featured on Mad Men—as fresh and relevant now as the day it was written

 

"We admire people who work hard, who are objective and thorough. We detest office politicians, toadies, bullies, and pompous asses. We abhor ruthlessness. The way up our ladder is open to everybody. In promoting people to top jobs, we are influenced as much by their character as anything else."  —David Ogilvy

 

David Ogilvy was considered the "father of advertising" and a creative genius by many of the biggest global brands. First published in 1963, this seminal book revolutionized…


Book cover of Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works

Jennifer Riel Author Of Creating Great Choices: A Leader's Guide to Integrative Thinking

From my list on to think differently on creative problem solving.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a writer, teacher, and partner at IDEO, the global design and innovation firm. Before IDEO, I spent more than a decade teaching university undergrads and MBAs to create better choices, in their work and their lives. Now, I work with business leaders to help them do the same thing, at the intersection of design and strategy. I believe that one key to getting to those better choices is the ability to understand, reflect on and, yes, even improve our own way of thinking and engaging with the world. The books on this list have shifted my own understanding of the world and how I think. I hope they inspire and challenge you as well. 

Jennifer's book list on to think differently on creative problem solving

Jennifer Riel Why did Jennifer love this book?

My own early experiences with strategy were pretty uninspiring – slow, incremental, and almost entirely analytical. But the framework that Roger and AG lay out in Playing to Win changed it all for me. It’s practical. It’s understandable. And it is aimed at not just understanding the world as it is, but at imaging a world that might be different… and forging a real strategy to bring that new world to life. The book is based on the approach to strategy Roger honed in his career as a management disclosure and that AG practiced as CEO at Procter & Gamble. Full disclosure, I helped them as they were writing the book – and honestly think it is the best book on strategy of the past 30 years.

By A.G. Lafley, Roger L. Martin,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Playing to Win as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Are you just playing--or playing to win? Strategy is not complex. But it is hard. It's hard because it forces people and organizations to make specific choices about their future--something that doesn't happen in most companies. Now two of today's best-known business thinkers get to the heart of strategy--explaining what it's for, how to think about it, why you need it, and how to get it done. And they use one of the most successful corporate turnarounds of the past century, which they achieved together, to prove their point. A.G. Lafley, former CEO of Procter & Gamble, in close partnership…


Book cover of How to Write Sales Letters That Sell

Ian Brodie Author Of Email Persuasion: Captivate and Engage Your Audience, Build Authority and Generate More Sales With Email

From my list on small business marketing.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a writer and consultant on marketing and creating online courses. I’m obsessed with “cracking the marketing code.” Ever since I saw firsthand what a huge impact even small marketing changes could have on a business's success I’ve been determined to figure out what the really big impact but low workload changes are. I’ve written about some of them in my book Email Persuasion and I share others in my blogs and videos.

Ian's book list on small business marketing

Ian Brodie Why did Ian love this book?

David Ogilvy said, “Drayton Bird knows more about direct marketing than anyone in the world,” and you can see why he said it in this book.

At some point in your marketing you need to get your potential customers to become paying customers. To actually part with their hard-earned cash. This book is a masterclass on how to do that in print – either on your website or in letters, adverts, brochures, or flyers. Bird’s writing has that amazing quality of charm, of being able to get you to buy without feeling you’ve been sold to. The book shows you how to get something similar yourself and is chock full of examples to learn from.

By Drayton Bird,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Write Sales Letters That Sell as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The right piece of direct mail can produce excellent response rates and have an extraordinary effect on business. But why do some sale letters achieve spectacular results whilst others are instantly consigned to the bin? This book reveals the secrets of creating successful sales letters. Containing examples of real sales letters, it includes plenty of advice on what to avoid as well as what to include. Key topics are covered such as: the secrets of persuasion; planning a letter which will get replies; creating offers that get responses and timing mailings for maximum effect.


Book cover of Captivology: The Science of Capturing People's Attention

Ian Brodie Author Of Email Persuasion: Captivate and Engage Your Audience, Build Authority and Generate More Sales With Email

From my list on small business marketing.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a writer and consultant on marketing and creating online courses. I’m obsessed with “cracking the marketing code.” Ever since I saw firsthand what a huge impact even small marketing changes could have on a business's success I’ve been determined to figure out what the really big impact but low workload changes are. I’ve written about some of them in my book Email Persuasion and I share others in my blogs and videos.

Ian's book list on small business marketing

Ian Brodie Why did Ian love this book?

Of all the marketing challenges facing us today, the biggest by far is the immensely difficult task of getting and keeping the attention of our target customers in a ridiculously noisy world.

Captivology isn’t necessarily a marketing book per se. But it’s the best guide to the art and the science of capturing attention. It shows you what gets people to take notice of something, to pay it deeper attention, and then to keep coming back and devoting time to it. You can apply these lessons across all your marketing and of all the marketing ideas and concepts I’ve come across in the last decade, this one has had the deepest and most positive impact on me and the results in my business.

By Ben Parr,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Captivology as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?


Why are we captivated by sites like Facebook and Instagram, but couldn't care less about MySpace Why do some musicians grow as popular as Beyonce, while others never make the charts Why do some nonprofits, such as Charity: Water, succeed in getting our donations, while other charities are ineffective And why can't anyone seem to ever get the attention of their kids

In Captivology, Ben Parr, former editor of Mashable and cofounder of DominateFund, reveals how and why our mind pays attention to some events, ideas, or people and not others. Vividly bringing to life the stories of entrepreneurs, musicians,…


Book cover of The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand out From The Crowd

Jackie Jarvis Author Of Quick Wins in Sales and Marketing: 50 inspiring ideas to grow your business

From my list on marketing strategies for small business owners.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a business development coach and mentor with a strong background in sales and marketing roles in the SME and small business world, I have always been passionate about learning as much as I can about what works well in sales and marketing. Practicing what I preach has always been important, and I love books that align with my belief that sales and marketing need not be complex or onerous to get results. From my experience Small Business Owners do not have the band width to wade through complex marketing speak, they appreciate it when it is straight forward and simple. 

Jackie's book list on marketing strategies for small business owners

Jackie Jarvis Why did Jackie love this book?

I loved this book because it appealed to my all-important keep marketing simple criteria. I used the book to create a straightforward marketing plan for my own business at the time, and I shared it with my clients. I found it to be brilliantly clear, straight to the point, and full of insight and wisdom. It really made me think as I was putting my plan together. 

I think the main idea that a simple marketing plan, laid out on a single page, can be more effective than a complicated multi-page strategy document is a good one. This way of thinking certainly appealed to many of the small business owners I was working with at the time. 

By Allan Dib,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The 1-Page Marketing Plan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

WARNING: Do Not Read This Book If You Hate Money

To build a successful business, you need to stop doing random acts of marketing and start following a reliable plan for rapid business growth. Traditionally, creating a marketing plan has been a difficult and time-consuming process, which is why it often doesn't get done.

In The 1-Page Marketing Plan, serial entrepreneur and rebellious marketer Allan Dib reveals a marketing implementation breakthrough that makes creating a marketing plan simple and fast. It's literally a single page, divided up into nine squares. With it, you'll be able to map out your own…


Book cover of Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

Jackie Jarvis Author Of Quick Wins in Sales and Marketing: 50 inspiring ideas to grow your business

From my list on marketing strategies for small business owners.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a business development coach and mentor with a strong background in sales and marketing roles in the SME and small business world, I have always been passionate about learning as much as I can about what works well in sales and marketing. Practicing what I preach has always been important, and I love books that align with my belief that sales and marketing need not be complex or onerous to get results. From my experience Small Business Owners do not have the band width to wade through complex marketing speak, they appreciate it when it is straight forward and simple. 

Jackie's book list on marketing strategies for small business owners

Jackie Jarvis Why did Jackie love this book?

I love this book because it made me really think about my own Purple Cow! I wondered what makes me remarkable and likely to stand out from the competition. Reading it, made me question whether I was getting that across in my marketing or not. I love Seth Godin’s writing style. I like his creativity and his point you are either remarkable or invisible. 

After reading this book, I began questioning myself and my clients more, and I started noticing businesses that have a clear purple cow. Putting a Purple Cow into everything you do is something that I found easy to remember. I love the simple genius of this message.  

By Seth Godin,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Purple Cow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

You're either a Purple Cow or you're not. You're either remarkable or invisible. Make your choice.

What do Apple, Starbucks, Dyson and Pret a Manger have in common? How do they achieve spectacular growth, leaving behind former tried-and-true brands to gasp their last? The old checklist of P's used by marketers - Pricing, Promotion, Publicity - aren't working anymore. The golden age of advertising is over. It's time to add a new P - the Purple Cow.

Purple Cow describes something phenomenal, something counterintuitive and exciting and flat-out unbelievable. In his new bestseller, Seth Godin urges you to put a…


Book cover of Marketing For Dummies

Jackie Jarvis Author Of Quick Wins in Sales and Marketing: 50 inspiring ideas to grow your business

From my list on marketing strategies for small business owners.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a business development coach and mentor with a strong background in sales and marketing roles in the SME and small business world, I have always been passionate about learning as much as I can about what works well in sales and marketing. Practicing what I preach has always been important, and I love books that align with my belief that sales and marketing need not be complex or onerous to get results. From my experience Small Business Owners do not have the band width to wade through complex marketing speak, they appreciate it when it is straight forward and simple. 

Jackie's book list on marketing strategies for small business owners

Jackie Jarvis Why did Jackie love this book?

I love this book as it was one of the first books I read about marketing when I was working for a small business in marketing. I wasn’t a dummy, but I wanted to make sure I hit the ground running, so this was an excellent refresher for me.

I particularly like books that make the complex simple, and this book did that. It put all aspects of marketing in front of my mind and helped me make a success of my new job. 

By Ruth Mortimer, Gregory Brooks, Craig Smith , Alexander Hiam

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Marketing For Dummies as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Smart marketing techniques to get your business noticed.

Plan a successful marketing campaign and move your business forward with this fully updated edition of an established bestseller. Packed with practical advice from a team of industry experts, this readable guide features all the latest tools and techniques to help you connect with new customers and retain existing ones. From choosing the right strategy and preparing a marketing plan, to igniting your imagination and producing compelling advertising, you'll be creating a buzz and increasing profits in no time.


Book cover of The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book

Jackie Jarvis Author Of Quick Wins in Sales and Marketing: 50 inspiring ideas to grow your business

From my list on marketing strategies for small business owners.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a business development coach and mentor with a strong background in sales and marketing roles in the SME and small business world, I have always been passionate about learning as much as I can about what works well in sales and marketing. Practicing what I preach has always been important, and I love books that align with my belief that sales and marketing need not be complex or onerous to get results. From my experience Small Business Owners do not have the band width to wade through complex marketing speak, they appreciate it when it is straight forward and simple. 

Jackie's book list on marketing strategies for small business owners

Jackie Jarvis Why did Jackie love this book?

I love this book because it is so accessible and real. It is a substantial book that is more like a good marketing course. I would say it is one of my best go-to reference books. There is so much money, time, and effort wasted on marketing that doesn’t work, and I am a big believer in putting the time and effort into creating the best strategic plan. This book has given me a resource to refer to, to check my knowledge. 

I love a marketing book that shows that the author understands the small business owner and this author does. I found the case studies brought the marketing methods and ideas alive for me. The way this book is written it feels like the author really cares about helping small business owners with their marketing. I love that. 

By Dee Blick,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This book is written for you if you want to get to grips with your marketing but you need a helping hand. It's packed with powerful tips, proven tools and many real-life examples and case studies. If you're looking for commonsense marketing advice that you can implement immediately, you'll find it on every page. You'll learn how to: plan and review your marketing activities, write brilliant copy that generates sales, write sales letters that sells, effectively troubleshoot when your marketing is not delivering, make your website a magnet for visitors and loads more!


Book cover of Guerrilla Marketing: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business

Monroe Mann Author Of The Theatrical Juggernaut: The Psyche of the Star

From my list on marketing books for aspiring professional actors, artists, and performers.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have done some pretty cool things in the arts. To share a few, I’ve given TEDx talks, I have produced and co-starred in a film that made it to Cannes, I have written 11+ books (one of which was a Barnes & Noble # 1 best seller), I have spoken at SAG/AFTRA and Writer’s Guild, I am an entertainment attorney, and I have an album up on iTunes/Apple Music/Spotify, etc. I really love inspiring people, and helping them to achieve life dreams. I hope this list will help inspire some of you to go after your dreams, too, and with a passion!

Monroe's book list on marketing books for aspiring professional actors, artists, and performers

Monroe Mann Why did Monroe love this book?

The stuff in this book is so good that I used his very techniques to end up co-writing a book with the author!

This book helped me to recognize that my success in show business (and indeed, in any field) was not going to be due to my talent (of which I have in excess supply!) but because of how well I could market that talent, and share it with the world.

Guerrilla Marketing was my trusted friend when I was starting out, and its lessons ring true 20 years later as I continue acting, producing, coding, speaking, and more. In fact, the lessons in this book helped me to book my first TEDx talk just this year (2024).

By Jay Conrad Levinson,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Guerrilla Marketing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

The book that started the guerilla marketing revolution, expanded and completely updated for the twenty-first century.

Jay Levinson's Guerrilla Marketing revolutionized marketing strategies for the small-business owner with his take-no-prisoners approach to finding clients. Based on hundreds of solid and effective ideas, Levinson’s philosophy has given birth to a new way of learning about market share and how to gain it. In this completely updated and expanded fourth edition, Levinson offers a new arsenal of weaponry for small-business success including strategies for marketing on the internet (explaining when and precisely how to use it); tips for using new…


Book cover of Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins

Keith A. Quesenberry Author Of Social Media Strategy: Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations in the Consumer Revolution

From my list on understanding how marketing has changed.

Why am I passionate about this?

After 17 years in the advertising industry, I became a professor to teach what I learned in practice. Only then did I start reflecting, researching, and discovering why we were successful in some efforts and not in others. From that perspective, I’ve been crafting new ways to approach marketing that are not based on what worked in the past, but on what works now in light of the dramatic changes to the field. Within marketing, I focus on social media strategy, digital marketing, and storytelling.

Keith's book list on understanding how marketing has changed

Keith A. Quesenberry Why did Keith love this book?

Marketing the old way took for granted that the company was in control. Now the consumer is in control. Mark Schaefer’s book will help you see the end of control and give you a manifesto for human-centered marketing. You’ll learn to see how your customers are part of your marketing department and how that is at the heart of success today. The good news for smaller brands is that winning in the rebellion doesn’t hinge on ad impressions, and big budgets, alone. Schaefer’s book helped me to see this new human-centered marketing from a more direct perspective. Instead of an evolution of the Four P’s he simply connects constant human truths to business success in “A Manifesto for Human-Centered Marketing” that ultimately leads to the new reality that your customers are your marketers.

By Mark W. Schaefer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Marketing Rebellion as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Are you overwhelmed by the breathtaking rate of change in the business world? Are confusing consumer trends, the unrelenting pace of technology, and the breakneck speed of digital marketing making you feel irrelevant and lost? Path-finding author Mark Schaefer provides an achievable and realistic framework to help you stay ahead of the curve by re-imagining marketing in a world where hyper-empowered consumers drive the business results. Marketing Rebellion will teach you: • How cataclysmic consumer trends are a predictable result of a revolution that started 100 years ago. • Why businesses must be built on human impressions instead of advertising…


Book cover of Confessions of an Advertising Man
Book cover of Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works
Book cover of How to Write Sales Letters That Sell

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,585

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in marketing, small business, and presidential biography?

Marketing 208 books
Small Business 32 books