Branding and Social Media Reads.

Recommendations for Navigating the Evolving Branding and Social Media Landscape

It's a jungle out there and we see between 40-50,000 images a day. So where do we start?

The Landscape

The branding/social media landscape has evolved dramatically in the past decade. Here are my go-to recommendations for someone with your strategic marketing background:

Core Branding Foundation:

• "Building a StoryBrand" by Donald Miller - Best bridge between strategic marketing and modern brand messaging

• "The Brand Gap" by Marty Neumeier - Quick read, covers brand fundamentals without fluff

Social Media Strategy (not just tactics):

• "Crushing It!" by Gary Vaynerchuk - Practical approach to social platforms for business

• "Content Inc." by Joe Pulizzi - Content marketing strategy that aligns with your background

Legal/Practical Considerations:

• "The Entrepreneur's Guide to Law and Strategy" by Bagley & Dauchy - Has solid IP/trademark sections

• "Social Media Law for Business" by Glen Gilmore - Covers compliance, privacy, etc.

Quick Reference/Cheat Sheet Style:

• "The Social Media Marketing Book" by Dan Zarrella - Data-driven approach you'll appreciate

• "Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits" by Millman & Meggs - Case studies and fundamentals

My honest take: Start with Miller's StoryBrand book - it'll bridge your strategic background with current brand thinking in about 4 hours. Then cherry-pick chapters from the others based on what gaps you identify.

Written by Joe Hausch and his trusty no-legged assistant Claude.

joehausch@gmail.com