With countless podcasts, articles, and online courses available in quick and easy-to-digest formats, investing your time and money in a 100+ page book is a significant decision. Yet books remain one of the most powerful ways to master a subject — offering deep dives into expert knowledge that shorter formats simply can't match.
We've curated ten essential books that cover the full spectrum of social media success. From core marketing principles to adjacent skills like persuasion and design, these are the best social media marketing books for your 2025 reading list because they'll help you:
- Build a modern social strategy
- Grow your follower base and build community
- Understand your customers and their motivations
- Create engaging, high-quality content
Let’s dig into the reading list!
1. "The Guide to Going Viral" by Brandon Kane
"The Guide to Going Viral" by Brendan Kane
Every social media marketer dreams of consistently creating viral content for their brand. While every post may not reach virality, following a blueprint can help increase a post’s chances of being seen.
In "The Guide to Going Viral," Brendan Kane, a social media and film expert, approaches viral content creation through the lens of storytelling and production. Rather than chasing viral moments, he teaches readers how to systematically create content that naturally attracts attention and engagement.
Best for: Social media marketers responsible for content creation who are struggling to break through the noise and consistently create shareable content that resonates with their audience
Publication date: July 15, 2024
2. "This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See" by Seth Godin
"This is Marketing" by Seth Godin
Seth Godin is one of the most recognized marketing experts in the world, so it’s no surprise that his book, "This is Marketing," continues to be a bestseller years after its initial release.
In "This is Marketing", Godin offers timeless social strategy principles that have only proven more relevant as digital marketing evolves. He walks readers through the initial planning stages, including how to reach your target audience and effectively advertise and market your product.
In this book, you’ll learn:
- How to build trust with your audience
- How to appropriately position your brand
- How to become the go-to resource for your audience
- Why traditional advertising doesn’t work well anymore
- The ins and outs of the buying decision
Best for: Social media marketers feeling overwhelmed by day-day-day tactics who need a foundational framework for making strategic decisions
Publication date: November 13, 2018
3. “Platform: The Art and Science of Personal Branding” by Cynthia Johnson
"Platform" by Cynthia Johnson
In today's digital landscape, your personal brand isn't optional — it's your modern resume, your professional story, and your gateway to opportunities. Cynthia Johnson, who transformed herself from a social media manager to a renowned marketing thought leader in just three years, reveals her systematic approach to building authentic influence.
"Platform" breaks down the journey from unknown to influencer through four key pillars:
- Personal proof: Establishing your expertise
- Social proof: Building credibility through others
- Recognition: Getting noticed in your field
- Association: Connecting with the right networks
What sets this book apart is Johnson's technical yet accessible approach to personal branding. She treats it not as a vanity project, but as a strategic communication tool — one that requires the same level of investment whether you're in a job interview or crafting a tweet.
Best for: Anyone looking to build their personal brand, or social media marketers and brand managers looking to build thought leadership and establish their company's key personnel as industry authorities
Publication date: February 5, 2019
4. "Design Better and Build Your Brand in Canva" by Laura Goodsell
"Design Better and Build Your Brand in Canva" by Laura Goodsell
The great thing about social media marketing is connecting with your audience through various media, including images, video, and text posts. However, creating a scroll-stopping graphic to support your content can be challenging, especially if graphic design is not your strong suit.
Laura Goodsell’s "Design Better and Build Your Brand in Canva" is a step-by-step overview of how to use Canva to create interesting graphics for your social media posts. This book walks you through everything, including:
- How to set up your Canva account
- Understanding the fundamentals and features of the software
- How to create graphics with engaging visuals
- Understanding color combinations, contrasts, and meanings
Best for: Non-designers who regularly need to create professional-looking social media graphics but feel intimidated by pro-level design tools
Publication date: January 13, 2023
5. "Building Brand Communities: How Organizations Succeed by Creating Belonging" by Carrie Melissa Jones and Charles H. Vogl
"Building Brand Communities" by Carrie Melissa Jones and Charles H. Vogl
When it comes to social media, your community is everything. Without it, you’re practically screaming into the void. But building community is so much more than building a follower list. If you’re not sure how to nurture your followers into a thriving community, check out "Building Brand Communities."
Carrie Melissa Jones and Charles H. Vogl’s combine their experience in digital community-building to give readers a comprehensive guide to turning an audience into advocates. They offer real-world examples and practical advice to give readers a solid understanding of the core principles of how to create an engaged audience.
In this book, you’ll learn:
- The difference between social media and social networks
- How to connect with your audience on an individual level
- How to ensure empathy and trust are the foundations of your community
Best for: Social media marketers frustrated with superficial engagement who want to transform passive followers into active community members
Publication date: June 9, 2020
6. "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini, Ph.D
"Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini
As a social media marketer or content creator, you have more influence than you realize. But, do you know how to appropriately use that influence to support your community or build your brand?
Robert Cialdini’s "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" explains the behavioral psychology behind why people say "yes." Once you understand how your audience thinks, what motivates them, and the factors that play into their decision-making process, you can craft your message to better resonate with them.
In this book, you’ll learn the principles of:
- Reciprocation
- Commitment and consistency
- Social Proof
- Liking
- Authority
- Scarcity
- Unity
Best for: Social media marketers who want to make social convert, seeking proven psychological principles to make their message more compelling
Publication date: May 4, 2021
7. "Effective Social Media Marketing: The Fast Track to Stay Ahead of the Algorithms and Create AI Magic to Supercharge Your Brand and Maximize ROI" by Trailblazer Strategies
"Effective Social Media Marketing" by Trailblazer Strategies
If you’re looking for a resource with dedicated chapters to various social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, you might want to check out Trailblazer Strategies’ "Effective Social Media Marketing."
This book guides readers through the most recent changes to various social media platforms. It also helps explain how AI is changing the platforms and their algorithms. Understanding these changes can be the difference between a successful, future-proofed social media strategy and one that only offers short-term benefits.
This book gives readers an overview of:
- Navigate algorithm changes across major platforms without losing engagement
- Leverage AI tools effectively while maintaining authentic brand voice
- Create platform-specific content strategies that work together
Best for: Social media marketers feeling left behind by rapid platform changes and AI developments who need a tactical playbook for modern social media
Publication date: May 6, 2024
8. "Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results" by Shane Parrish
"Clear Thinking" by Shane Parrish
If you’re stuck on social media autopilot, or you struggler with imposter syndrome, and it’s causing you to miss out on viral social media opportunities, you need to read Shane Parrish’s "Clear Thinking." While this book is firmly planted in the self-help section of the book store, social media managers can apply its learnings to their social media approach.
Parrish’s "Clear Thinking" helps readers develop the tools they need to think clearly and take action, especially when the pressure is on. Readers also learn how to recognize moments of opportunity and maximize them, instead of letting them pass.
With the tips you learn from this book, you can:
- Create better, more consistent habits to propel your social channels
- Learn to show up as your best self, even when you feel your campaigns aren’t performing well
- Understand the things that hold you back from taking action
Best for: Social media marketers who feel stuck in analysis paralysis or overwhelmed by constant decision-making in fast-paced environments
Publication date: October 3, 2023
9. "Faster, Smarter, Louder" by Aaron Agius and Gián Clancey
"Faster, Smarter, Louder" by Aaron Agius and Gián Clancey
If you’re looking for actionable advice you can apply across your social media platforms, look no further than "Faster, Smarter, Louder."
Aaron Agius and Gián Clancey share their experience of growing their brand’s social presence to teach readers how to confidently show up online in ways that matter. Using their tips, readers learn where to place their focus in social media marketing.
This book is more than a blueprint. It also gives reader a solid understanding of why and how the framework works based on Aguis and Clancey’s practical marketing experience. Although this book isn’t platform-specific, readers walk away with programmable advice to:
- Provide value
- Demonstrate authenticity
- Forge connections
Best for: Social media marketers spread thin across multiple platforms who need a unified approach to build consistent brand presence.
Publication date: July 12, 2019
10. "Stories that Stick" by Kindra Hall
"Stories that Stick" by Kinda Hall
Social media is a great place to share your brand’s story. But, if you’re not sure how to craft your message in a way that captivates your audience, your story (and your brand!) can get lost in the feed.
Kindra Hall’s "Stories that Stick" teaches readers the art of storytelling. A well-crafted story helps convey your value and purpose, while building your audience and influencing them to engage with your brand.
This book provides a clear framework to help readers leverage their own stories. It covers:
- How to identify gaps and fill them with branded stories
- The essential elements of a good story
- The four stories every brand already has
Best for: Social media marketers who want to level up their content with narrative threads that capture attention and drive brand engagement
Publication date: September 24, 2019
How to pick your next read
The books in this list share a powerful common thread: successful social media marketing isn't just about mastering algorithms or chasing trends—it's about understanding human behavior and building authentic connections. From Cialdini's principles of influence to Hall's storytelling frameworks, these authors emphasize that genuine engagement comes from understanding your audience deeply.
Choose your starting point based on your current challenges:
- For strategy fundamentals: Start with Godin's "This is Marketing"
- For community building: Dive into Jones and Vogl's "Building Brand Communities"
- For content creation: Begin with Kane's "Guide to Going Viral"
- For personal branding: Pick up Johnson's "Platform"
As you explore these books, use a tool like Loomly to put their principles into a day-to-day practice — from content planning to audience engagement and performance tracking. Start your 15-day free trial now and transform these insights into action.