If you’re a marketer, staying ahead of social media trends and knowing what’s happening in the marketing world is part of the job description.
There are plenty of ways to keep up—following top social media strategists, subscribing to marketing newsletters, or studying brands that are crushing their campaigns.
Or… you could actually read a book.
We’ve rounded up eight of the best social media marketing books that are packed with insights, inspiration, and strategies you can put to work right away.
8 Top Books About Social Media Marketing in 2025
Here’s the list of the best social media marketing books to read:
1. This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn To See by Seth Godin
2. The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott
3. Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries & Jack Trout
4. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger
5. Social Media Marketing Workbook: How to Use Social Media for Business by Jason McDonald
6. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
7. What Customers Crave by Nicholas J. Webb
8. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
1. This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn To See by Seth Godin
In This is Marketing, Seth Godin flips traditional marketing on its head—no gimmicks, no spam—just empathy, storytelling, and real connection in a noisy digital world. He’ll show you how to find your smallest viable audience and build trust through generosity, not manipulation.
Why read: It’s a modern playbook for marketers of any experience level who want to adopt a more ethical, customer-centric approach and do work that matters. If you’re looking to move beyond old-school tactics and create meaningful connections with your audience, this book is for you.
💬 Review: “As someone who works in Marketing and Communications, I thoroughly enjoyed getting reinforcements on things I already knew. I have been a practicing marketer for 8 years, and reading this book really helped to simplify and expand on issues I encounter daily.”
— BookOfCinz on Goodreads
2. The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott
From content marketing to AI and newsjacking, this classic gets a fresh update every edition, giving you a front-row seat to what’s working right now. In The New Rules of Marketing and PR, Scott breaks it all down in bite-sized chapters packed with real-world case studies and practical takeaways.
Why read: A go-to resource for PR and marketing pros who want to stay sharp, stay current, and actually understand what’s changing in the industry. Even industry veterans say they ‘always learn something new’ with each edition.
💬 Review: “If you’re in PR or Marketing – as I am, and have been for decades – here’s the best book on the market… I always learn something new and worthwhile when I read his latest edition. — Ned Barnett on Amazon
3. Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries & Jack Trout
Before “branding” was a buzzword, there was positioning. Positioning shows you how to claim a distinct spot in your audience’s brain—and why being first (or different) is everything in a crowded market.
Ries and Trout use vivid examples (from companies, products, and even politicians) to show how being first or different in the mind can make or break a brand.
Why read: This book will change how you think about branding and competition. Essential reading for anyone building a brand from scratch or trying to stand out—marketers, founders, advertisers, you name it.
💬 Review: “I had not realized how important positioning was in business (and even personal life) until reading this. It’s an easy and fun read, packed with enlightening information that still rings true despite changes in the world… I highly recommend this book for those beginning in not only advertising or marketing, but any business.” — Girl4hvn on Amazon
4. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger
Why do some campaigns go viral while others flop? Jonah Berger reveals in Contagious the science behind word-of-mouth success, breaking it down into six sticky principles (aka STEPPS) using fascinating real-world examples—from $100 cheesesteaks to YouTube hits—all backed by research.
Why read: If you want to reverse-engineer viral content and understand what makes people share, this book is your playbook.
💬 Review: “Berger’s insights into the psychology behind what makes content go viral are not only fascinating but also practical. He breaks down complex concepts into six simple principles… Whether you’re a marketer, entrepreneur, or just curious about why certain things “stick,” this book is invaluable. Highly recommended!” — Alex on Amazon
5. Social Media Marketing Workbook: How to Use Social Media for Business by Jason McDonald
Overwhelmed by social media? Sometimes you just need something practical and pretty basic! Social Media Marketing Workbook is a hands-on workbook that walks you through each major platform (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more) with step-by-step instructions, checklists, and real-world tips designed for small businesses and beginners to digital marketing.
Why read: If you’re just getting started or want a no-nonsense crash course, this social media marketing book will build your confidence and help you turn social media into a legit growth channel.
💬 Review: “This book has eliminated all fear and self-doubt I had about marketing online. All the steps needed to be successful in the social media scene are here. I gained the self-confidence I needed to dive in and get started… I’m getting more engaged with my clients and having fun.” — Matthew Shafer on Amazon
6. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
Influence is the OG playbook on why people say “yes.” Dr. Robert Cialdini breaks down the psychological principles of persuasion—like reciprocity, authority, and social proof—and how they’re used (and misused) in marketing, sales, and everyday life. You’ll learn how marketers, salespeople, fundraisers (and yes, con artists) apply these principles to influence our decisions, and how to apply them ethically in your own work.
Why read: This book is invaluable for anyone in business, sales, or marketing who wants to understand the subconscious factors that drive customer behavior.
💬 Review: “Required reading for all marketing professionals. The book details the most common approaches to influencing the decisions of others, backed up by the author’s time spent infiltrating direct marketing companies and the like.” — Mark Cheverton on Goodreads
7. What Customers Crave by Nicholas J. Webb
What Customers Crave reveals how the best companies create memorable customer experiences at every touchpoint. Webb breaks down how to discover what your customers love (and hate), then use that insight to create experiences they’ll never forget.
Why read: A go-to guide for anyone in sales, marketing, customer experience, customer service, or leadership who wants to boost loyalty and turn customers into fans. Practical, actionable, and seriously eye-opening.
💬 Review: “Customer service is out and customer experience is in… They want to ‘crave’ working with you, and if you don’t quite understand what customers crave… then you’d better read this book. This book goes beyond traditional ideas of service – it will get you thinking about customers in a way you haven’t before, showing you how to view your business from their perspective and deliver what they expect.” — Dan’s Business Books on Amazon
8. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
In a world where every marketer is also a writer, Ann Handley is your go-to coach. Everybody Writes is a fun, practical guide that teaches you how to write better across emails, blogs, social posts, landing pages, and more—with zero fluff and plenty of laughs.
Why read: If you want your digital content to connect, convert, and not sound like a robot wrote it, this book belongs on your desk. Great for beginners and seasoned pros alike.
💬 Review: “Ann Handley provides a quick, in-depth explanation of how to write everything well. Whether you’re interested in social media, blogs, or research papers, there are many good lessons in this book. Check it out!” — Vance Ginn on Goodreads
Honorable Social Media Marketing Books’ Mentions (Reddit Approved)
These titles came up again and again in different Reddit marketing threads. Worth checking out if you’re hungry for more:
- Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath – Why some ideas survive and others die.
- Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller – A practical framework for brand messaging.
- Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk – Social content that actually converts.
- Hooked by Nir Eyal – How to build habit-forming products.
- Purple Cow by Seth Godin – On creating remarkable, buzz-worthy brands.
- $100M Offers & $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi – Two no-BS guides to crafting irresistible offers and generating leads at scale built from real business experience, not theory.
That’s a wrap!
Each of these social media marketing books offers a unique perspective on marketing, from strategy and psychology to hands-on tactics. And the best thing is that they’re not just “theory!” As the reviews show, real readers (like marketers and business owners) have found them insightful and directly applicable in their work.
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