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Hi Everyone,

I lack experience with Marketing, and I'm looking for some good books to get me started with what to think about, what to look for, etc.

I fall into that seemingly common Manager-Tools trap of being very focussed on the Operational and Technical sides of my business. I'm starting to realise that we might need to improve our marketing significantly, and I'm looking for a good place to get started with ideas and theory behind that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

IndianaRoger's picture

Matt- Not sure of your business but I have really learned a lot from Seth Godin. He writes a daily blog at http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/ . I have read bits and pieces of his books but not enough to really recommend one.

You might also try ChangeThis http://changethis.com/archives?topic=1&query= . Here business writers often write short Manifestos about business (and often marketing).

hans111384's picture

I'm just a student, but here's my two cents.

Marketing Management by Philip Kotler and Kevin Keller is a good place to start. It's apparently been the standard for MBAs for last 20+ years.

They've put out several editions of this book, so you can definitely get a cheap used version from a few years back.

I believe Kotler has a marketing consulting business, so the book has a good dose of reality and isn't *completely* academic.

kklogic's picture

I would supplement your reading with trade pubs - my favorites are: Target Marketing, B2B, Direct, Teradata

Marketing channels and techniques change daily - particularly when it comes to online. The trade pubs will keep you up to date on that.

Also, I would be happy to answer any questions you have via PM.

mlafleur's picture

I would recommend "The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Violate Them at Your Own Risk! " by Al Ries and Jack Trout.

[url]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0887306667/musthavebooks[/url]

Great book. Fun to read. Gives you a rock solid foundation to build on.

matthelm's picture

Hi, I'd like to thank everyone for their help, it's been really useful.

Just to share something back, I picked up 'Kotler on Marketing' by Philip Kotler which has proved pretty good start. Not as heavy as a text book but packed with great stuff.

Keep the suggestions coming in though, they're all going on my amazon wish list!

Thanks again,
Matt

akinsgre's picture

I really liked "The Marketing Imagination" by Theodore Levitt

RDHodgson's picture

 Just wanted to say thank you to the people in this thread. This is exactly what I'm looking for myself!

stevenguy's picture

Marketing with sara is good just go to sara young you won't be dissapointed http://ps3320gbuncharted-3bundle.blogspot.co.uk/