Are you a bit of book bug? For me, marketing and business books have been key to developing my skills in marketing for accountants.
Every month, for instance, I get an audio-book straight to my smartphone. Since I do a lot of long distance car travel, I put these on in the car via Bluetooth.
The long drives sail by as I’m consumed by great works such as “Black Box Thinking” by Matthew Syed, or “Pitch Anything” by Oren Klaff.
We’ve had a few financial professional ask us which books we’d recommend on the subject of marketing for accountants. There isn’t a huge library on this specific niche available to the general population. However, there are some great works you can read which will be directly applicable to your business.
Here are 4 of our top recommendations for 2017:
#1 Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, by Ryan Holiday
Source: BusinessInsider
If you want to understand why things catch fire online and on social media, then this book is crucial.
Holiday chronicles his experience in the blogosphere from a PR perspective. He tells his story working for American Apparel, Tucker Max and Tim Ferris – how he got them into the press via media manipulation.
I recommend Holiday’s book because it likely shows you what not to do in marketing for accountants. Probably more so than what to do. If you want to elevate your brand ethically, but understand the underhand tactics others use to get to the top, then check this book out.
#2 Creativity, Inc., by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace
Source: Pixar Times
To succeed in marketing for accountants, you need two things. Creativity and good storytelling.
Great brands have a compelling narrative which their customers can buy into. This story creates a sense of loyalty and belonging, and is used in a wide range of industries – including financial services.
You also need to be creative if you’re going to stand out from the competition, cutting through the noise to your target market.
A great example of these things in action is Pixar. Okay, they’re not an accounting firm. Nor are they a small business. However, there’s a lot to learn from their story.
Pixar are renowned for knocking the ball out of the park with virtually every movie they make. Creativity Inc will make you want to try bold, adventurous things in marketing for accountants.
#3 Contagious: Why Things Catch On, by Jonah Berger
Source: Jonah Berger
Why do things go viral? Why do some things gain more exposure and traction online, whilst others simply flop – despite grand intentions?
Contagious helps unpack some of the dynamics behind the spread of ideas via the internet and social media. If your goal in marketing for accountants is to spread your content, then this book will give you great insight into how to get your message to travel as far as possible to the right people.
#4 Content Inc., by Joe Pulizzi
Source: Joe Pulizzi
Content is absolutely vital when it comes to marketing for accountants. Whether it’s a blog, video, podcast or something else, it needs to be high quality and offer real value to your market.
However, producing an ROI on your content marketing isn’t easy. In fact, it’s downright hard. That’s where Pulizzi’s book is so helpful.
He takes a look at compelling case studies of small businesses which propelled themselves into the spotlight via content marketing. The book also provides a really useful breakdown of the key steps you need to take for a content marketing strategy to work successfully.
What marketing books have you read recently which had a big impact on you? We’d love to hear about them. Regardless, we hope you find these suggestions helpful. Thanks for reading!
