Your Quarantine Library: Here’s what the Pro Marketers at DM Recommend That You Read Right Now

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It doesn’t take an expert to realize social distancing (while necessary) isn’t the most exciting way to spend spring. But seeing as how this is pretty much the new normal for many of us, we thought we would help you out by sharing a few of our favorite things.

To start: Books.

We asked our staff to share their favorite marketing-related books they thought would make great quarantine reads. Scroll down, order on Amazon (we can 100% guarantee that eBooks are virus-free) and start reading.

At the very least, you’ll come out of this quarantine knowing more about your craft than you did before.

Here are 11 book recommendations from the team at DigitalMarketer.

#1: Ryan Deiss, CEO of DigitalMarketer

Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life by Rory Sutherland

Ryan: Alchemy will change the way you think about the role (and importance) of marketing in society. In times like these, it’s more important than ever for marketers to understand how valuable they can be when it comes to altering human thought and action.

Ryan Deiss Bonus Book Recommendation: The 3-Minute Rule By Brant Pinvidik

Ryan: 3 Minute Rule doesn’t claim to be a copywriting book, but it is. In fact, it’s one of the best copywriting books I’ve read in years (and I read all of them). The structure and framework is solid, and I believe that getting a message out QUICKLY will be one of the keys to breaking through the crisis-induced noise.

#2: Richard Lindner, Co-Founder & President of DigitalMarketer

Do the Work by Stephen Pressfield

Richard: This small book can be read in a single setting and you’ll still have most of your day left. But, after reading, you’ll also have an understanding of what it looks like to do meaningful work. You’ll understand that resistance is real and once you push through resistance you benefit from its counterpart… momentum. Now more than ever we’re dealing with resistance at every turn. Don’t let our current climate and reality keep you from doing meaningful work. Read this amazing book.

Richard Lindner Bonus Book Recommendation: Loserthink: How Untrained Brains Are Ruining America by Scott Adams

Richard: Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, wrote an amazing book that dives into how we all think. Scott breaks down how we all fall victim to our own bias and allow the bubbles of our reality to turn data into one sided truth… AKA “Loserthink”. Reading this book will help you learn to be a better human and understand how people think and make decisions and that will help you be a better marketer, salesperson, CEO, leader, parent, etc.

#3: Doug Bloom, Video Production Manager

Ogilvy on Advertising by Miles Young

Doug: It provides great theories and practices that are still relevant today from one of the best marketers of all time. It’s so good, Richard thinks it’s great, too!

Richard: Doug isn’t wrong. Every marketer on the planet should know who David Ogilvy is. He’s one of the giants our industry is built on and responsible in part for you being able to earn a living (and eat food) in marketing. Read it and you’ll instantly become a better marketer (even if you’re pretty dang good already.)

#4: Erin MacPherson, Director of Content

The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore

Erin: This biographical look at Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse and Nicola Tesla reads like a novel but makes you think like you’re reading a textbook on economics and business innovation. Prepare yourself to get a whole new perspective on early American inventions, to see Nicola Tesla in a whole new light and to (spoiler alert) wish you had never used a Thomas Edison lightbulb.

#5: Matt Douglas, Content Manager of Product

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

Matt: No one can deny how effective wrapping your advertising message in a story is. The best ad campaigns tend to resonate with an audience. In this book, Donald Miller takes the Hero’s Journey, simplifies it, and explains how marketers and business owners can use the power of storytelling to clarify their message. This book is fascinating and something every marketer and business should know and use, no matter their niche.

#6: Devin Coor, Sales Operations and Enablement Manager

They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan

Devin: Marcus teaches a foundational, human approach to content marketing and explains how value-first content helps businesses increase their sales and helps sales teams sell.

#7: Amelia Kisinger, Graphic Designer

The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier

Amelia: This book helped me understand what comprises a brand (Surprise! It’s not just the logo). In addition to being a really clear read, a lot of the ideas are represented in a visually interesting way. (To be fair, the one downside is that some of the examples are dated, but the ideas are relevant!)

#8: Bethany Cowans, Programming Manager

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Bethany: This book may not be totally marketing related, but I would still recommend it for so many reasons. As a marketer, it’s so interesting to think from the perspective that storytelling is the #1 reason homosapiens are at the top of the food chain. This book shows the power of stories, and shows us as marketers how to tell them in meaningful and poignant ways!

#9: Matt Shelar, Promotions Manager

The Art of Explanation by Lee LeFever

Matt: This book is meant for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills (which, by the way, is probably the most important skill for a marketer to have). It’s also written by the founder of Common Craft, so if you’re a fan of their videos, you’ll probably be a fan of this book.

#10: Becky Zieber, Content Strategist

Educated by Tara Westover

Becky: I’m still finishing this book, but so far I’ve really enjoyed it. Educated is an eye opening account of how a formal education can change your entire outlook on the world around you (it’s also just a great read that will keep you captivated from page one).

#11: Sam Clark, Content Manager of eLearning

A Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger

Sam: Bob Iger, the former CEO of Walt Disney, gives an eye opening and humble account about the lessons he learned from working his way up from a low-tier worker at ABC to CEO of the entire Walt Disney Company. The prologue opened my eyes that, even as a billionaire, this guy still cares about the 200,000+ employees and customers under him.

#12: Darren Clarke, Podcast Producer

80/20 Principle by Richard Koch

Darren: The lessons I learned from this book have helped me immensely. We did a Business Lunch podcast with the author awhile back and ever since then I’ve considered it one of my favorite business books. This book contains a deceptively simple idea that many great thought leaders have used to change the world: 80 percent of your output comes from 20 percent of your input. Koch takes this profound universal truth and shows how it can be applied to every area of your life: work, investments, relationships and creativity.

Ready to hone your craft and come out of this isolation stronger than ever?

Let’s do this .