Top 18 Marketing Books to read in Canada [Updated]

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Do you want to reach your target audience quickly? Are you looking to streamline your marketing and SEO strategies? Read these top ten marketing books!


Marketing is the backbone of a company’s overall strategy, allowing it to reach its target audience, increase engagement, build a brand, and promote its products and services. The bottom line is to increase returns on investments, and without marketing, a company can’t achieve its goals.

Although you can find hundreds of thousands of articles, webinars, videos, blog posts, and other resources online to create a successful marketing strategy, there is nothing like the information you find in marketing books. Today’s article will give you a list of the top ten marketing books to read in Canada. Read on!


1.    The 1-Page Marketing Plan

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1989025013/

Author: Allan Dib

The 1-Page Marketing Plan is the best book written by Allan Dib, a successful entrepreneur, and marketer. The book gives you detailed information on traditional and digital marketing secrets and how to blend these methodologies to achieve your company’s bottom line.

The information included in the book is evidence-based and proven, allowing you to create a solid marketing plan, engage your target audience, build your online reputation, and grow your business on various platforms.

2.    This I Know

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B079ZBKNP8/

Author: Terry O’Reilly

Terry O-Reilly is the author of “This I know,” a book that equips businesses and eCommerce honors with state-of-the-art marketing knowledge and tools, allowing them to craft a successful marketing strategy efficiently and quickly.

Not only does the book teaches you the basic of marketing, but it also helps you create strategies that align with your business operations, improving the company’s bottom line by increasing sales.

3.    The SEO Way

https://amzn.to/4g53Dzo

Author: Tarek Riman

If you want to rank higher in Google SERPs and other search engine results, the SEO Way is a must-read. Tarek Riman is a successful entrepreneur and the master of digital marketing and SEO – and this book by him is for people of all skill levels, including beginners, advanced marketers, entrepreneurs, startups, and even students.

The SEO Way is the bestselling book that teaches individuals and businesses to streamline their search engine optimization strategies and achieve higher ranks on Google. The book has ever-green information you can apply to your SEO strategy for years to come.

Tarek Riman, the author of the SEO Way, provides a step-by-step approach with all the technical details, allowing businesses to drive organic traffic to their websites, engage users with high-quality content, and achieve/maintain long-term success.

4.    500 Social Media Marketing Tips

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B007L50HE6

Author: Andrew McCarthy

Andrew McCarthy is a well-known marketer. His book “500 Social Media Marketing Tips” has quickly gained a reputation among digital marketers, social media strategists, and businesses that want to leverage the power of social networking platforms.

The book teaches you how to implement a social media marketing strategy, use analytics, create quality content, reach and maintain existing and potential customers, and leverage the power of images, text, stories, and videos to engage your target audience.

5.    The Secret to Capitalizing on Analytics

https://amzn.to/4iowdgX

Author: Tarek Riman

The Secret to Capitalizing on Analytics is a bestselling book authored by a renowned digital marketer “Tarek Riman.” The author has made substantial efforts to ensure everyone learns and uses Google Analytics efficiently and quickly.

The book teaches how to set up Google analytics, track data, and gain insights to streamline your marketing and SEO strategies. Besides, Riman has put life into the book, allowing businesses to understand and use demographic data, including age, location, interest, buying patterns, and behaviors, to drive organic traffic to their websites and improve their bottom line.

6.    A Beginners Guide to Paid Search Marketing

https://amzn.to/4grHFGE

Author: Tarek Riman

A Beginner’s Guide to Paid Search Marketing is another gem authored by Tarek Riman. The book gives you the secrets of paid search marketing, allowing you to plan, set up, implement, and optimize SEM campaigns for your business.

Not only does the book allows you to access high-quality resources, including tutorials and screenshots, but it also provides you with state-of-the-art information, enabling you to learn via examples. The step-by-step approach to SEM campaigns you will learn from this book is synonymous with effective digital marketing, increased sales, and higher ROIs.

7.    Building a Story Brand

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06XFJ2JGR/

Author: Donald Miller

Through “Building a Story Brand,” Donald Miller teaches his audience how to build a brand reputation by creating an engaging, persuasive, and authoritative story. Miller has crafted innovative ways and methodologies, equipping readers with extensive knowledge of connecting with their customers and boosting their sales.

8.    Digital Marketing Strategy

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Q2XBNYV/

Author: Simon Kingsnorth

Digital Marketing Strategy is an easy-to-read book, providing thorough knowledge to people of all skill levels who want to streamline their online marketing plans. The author, Simon Kingsnorth, has focused on leveraging different online platforms and creating a strategy tailored to your business goals.

The book teaches you various marketing modules, including marketing automation, the art, and science of personalization, email marketing, etc. Likewise, it helps you integrate your offline and online marketing methods and use artificial intelligence to create better user experiences. Moreover, the book provides you with knowledge on enhancing data protection tools and maintaining customers’ privacy.

9.    Marketing Mess to Brand Success

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0978HDYBZ

Author: Scott Jeffrey Miller

Marketing Mess to Brand Success by Scott Jeffrey Miller helps you learn a step-by-step approach to creating a digital marketing strategy and modifying it according to digital sphere changes. You will learn to build a successful brand by engaging your existing and prospective customers. It is a must-read!

10. “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini

Why do people make decisions? And more importantly, how can you ethically influence them? In Influence, Cialdini delves into six key principles of persuasion—like reciprocity, scarcity, and authority—that shape our decision-making processes.
Why Read It? This book isn’t just for marketers; it’s for anyone who wants to understand how influence works in daily life. It’s also packed with real-world examples, making the concepts easy to grasp.
Buy on Amazon


11. “Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen” by Donald Miller

If you’ve ever struggled to communicate what your business does, this book is for you. Donald Miller outlines a straightforward framework for storytelling, placing your customer as the hero and your business as the guide.
Why Read It? The book is refreshingly practical. By the end, you’ll have actionable steps to create a clear brand message that cuts through the noise.
My Take: Miller’s approach is particularly useful for small businesses and startups trying to articulate their value proposition.
Buy on Amazon


12. “Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age” by Jonah Berger

Why do some ideas, products, or campaigns go viral while others fade into obscurity? Jonah Berger answers this by breaking down the six elements of contagious ideas, including social currency, emotion, and storytelling.
Why Read It? This book feels like a blueprint for creating sharable content. The examples (like the $100 Philly cheesesteak) are fascinating and memorable.
Pro Tip: Pair this with case studies of viral campaigns to see Berger’s principles in action.
Buy on Amazon


13. “This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See” by Seth Godin

Seth Godin is a legend in marketing, and this book is a culmination of his best ideas. He emphasizes that great marketing isn’t about shouting louder but about understanding your audience deeply and showing them you care.
Why Read It? Godin’s conversational tone makes this book an easy yet profound read. It challenges you to rethink marketing as a way to serve, not sell.
Why It’s Unique: Unlike tactical books, this one focuses on philosophy and principles, making it ideal for visionaries.
Buy on Amazon


14. “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products” by Nir Eyal

This book is a must-read for anyone involved in product design or user experience. Eyal outlines the “Hook Model,” a four-step process that creates habits: Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment.
Why Read It? It’s packed with insights into human psychology and actionable steps to build products people can’t put down.
My Opinion: Marketers in tech or SaaS will find this especially valuable for user retention strategies.
Buy on Amazon


15. “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die” by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

What makes ideas memorable? Chip and Dan Heath answer this by identifying six principles of “stickiness,” like simplicity and emotion.
Why Read It? The storytelling examples are rich and varied, from urban legends to successful ad campaigns.
Best For: Communicators and marketers who struggle to make their ideas resonate with audiences.
Buy on Amazon


16. “Epic Content Marketing” by Joe Pulizzi

Content is king, but creating content that drives results is a challenge. Pulizzi explains how to craft content that engages and converts without feeling “salesy.”
Why Read It? It’s a comprehensive guide for marketers looking to master the art of storytelling and build trust with their audience.
Best Feature: Real-world examples from brands like LEGO make the strategies relatable and inspiring.
Buy on Amazon


17. “Blue Ocean Strategy” by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne

Forget competing in crowded markets. This book shows you how to create uncontested market spaces where your competition becomes irrelevant.
Why Read It? It’s strategic, thought-provoking, and challenges you to think differently about your business’s positioning.
Best For: Innovators and entrepreneurs who want to stand out rather than blend in.
Buy on Amazon


18. “The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization” by Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer, and Jessie Stricchiola

SEO is an ever-changing field, but this book remains one of the most comprehensive guides. It covers everything from keyword research to advanced strategies.
Why Read It? It’s dense but worth it for anyone serious about SEO. Even seasoned pros will learn something new.
Who It’s For: Digital marketers who want to drive organic traffic and rank higher on Google.
Buy on Amazon


Final Words

Traditional and digital marketing plays a crucial role in a company’s success. Knowing how to blend offline and online marketing can help you explore powerful ways to promote your products and services. These books can help you achieve your digital marketing goals.