DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Branding is one of the greatest components when making a business. Branding can be used in all sides of a business. It can be used in commercials, when communicating with customers, on social media sites, on billboards, and so much more. Not only can businesses be more successful with branding, but so can everyone else. Creating a personal brand is important when looking for jobs, or being an influencer online. What one makes of themselves is how the world will perceive them. The best way to control how people see an individual, is by building that personal brand. With the right tools and help, anyone can build a successful and popular brand. Getting started is easy.
What are the Best Books on Branding to read?
Consult a brand expert online, over the phone, and through books. There are plenty of books that have been written about branding that provide worthwhile information. Here are 20 of those books.
Best Books on Branding: Our Top 20 Picks
Here are some of the best books on branding that you can consider to expand your knowledge on the subject:
1. Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen
Branding is important for businesses and products, but not all brands are the same. Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller is a book that focuses on building a storybrand. Storybranding helps businesses include customers in their stories. In this story, the customers are the protagonists; they are the Harry Potters or the Frodos of the storybrand. With this book, Millar explains storybranding and helps readers implement it in their businesses. He does this by teaching readers what the seven universal story points humans identify with are. He also teaches readers why humans make purchases, how to make their brand message simple, and how to effectively use text on websites, social media, and websites. This book follows the hero’s journey, and helps readers implement it in their branding and business.
- Authors: Donald Miller (Author)
- Publisher: HarperCollins Leadership; Illustrated Edition (October 10, 2017)
- Pages: 240 pages
2. The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding
An essential part of the marketing profession is branding. Branding helps make products stand out, and it draws people in. The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al and Laura Ries is a great guide book for helping businesses properly brand their product. This book draws on other popular companies to give examples on popular branding techniques. The steps in this book will guide readers to build the best brand they can possibly make. In addition to teaching branding basics, it also teaches how to brand on the web and media. There are so many different social media platforms– those who are tackling branding need to remember to do it on every platform. The Rieses analyze the ins and outs on various branding strategies, and determine which ones are best.
- Authors: Al Ries (Author), Laura Ries (Author)
- Publisher: Harper Business; 1st Edition (September 1, 2002)
- Pages: 272 pages
3. Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team, 4th Edition
Every business owner should invest in a toolkit for creating their brand. Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team by Alina Wheeler is on its four edition with all new kinds of updated information. Some of this information includes: social networks, global markets, apps, virtual brands, and more. Wheeler bases her findings on over 30 case studies. Often updated versions of books only change a few things, but this is almost an entirely new book. Over 35% of the information in this edition is new. This book helps readers create their brand with a five step process that is easy to follow, and modern. The book is well designed and well-organized. It occasionally lacks depth, but overall it’s a great introduction to branding.
- Authors: Alina Wheeler (Author)
- Publisher: John Wiley and Sons; 4th ed Edition (November 6, 2012)
- Pages: 326 pages
4. How to Style Your Brand
How to Style Your Brand by Fiona Humberstone is a great book for identifying what one’s brand is, and how it can inspire and engage those who see it. The process of identifying a brand can be easy with the right tool. In this book, Humberstone will teach readers the best tips for styling their brand. She covers many topics in this book, like: finding the brand’s focus, discovering the power of color psychology, finding one’s focus, and understanding the details behind every design. This book has great advice and tips, but it also provides many examples that readers can base their ideas off of. There are over 60 great examples included in this book. There is an example for every kind of brand, and for every person. This is a wonderful book for new business owners who are trying to lock down a new brand.
- Authors: Fiona Humberstone (Author)
- Publisher: Copper Beech Press (May 11, 2015)
- Pages: 208 pages
5. Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team
Branding is one of the most important components in a business. Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team by Alina Wheeler is a great guide for making a brand. It has step by step techniques and tips that will help business owners, brand consultants, and graphic designers alike. The book is split into three sections: process basics, case studies, and brand fundamentals. There are various examples in this book that help readers make their own brand. Wheeler teaches readers branding subjects, tools, checklists, and diagrams. The book has beautiful illustrations that make understanding the information easier and more interesting. There is advice in this book from branding experts, such as CEOS and design gurus. This is a great book for learning about branding, but also for teaching branding and improving business.
- Authors: Alina Wheeler (Author), Debbie Millman (Foreword)
- Publisher: Wiley; 5th Edition (October 16, 2017)
- Pages: 336 pages
6. Primal Branding: Create Zealots for Your Brand, Your Company, and Your Future
There are many kinds of branding that business owners have to learn to use effectively. Primal branding is a branding type that focuses on building communities. Primal Branding: Create Zealots for Your Brand, Your Company, and Your Future by Patrick Hanlon will help readers implement primal branding in their businesses, and in their lives. By using impressive examples from successful businesses, Hanlon teaches readers about primal branding and intrigues them enough to keep reading. Hanlon discusses companies like Nike, Apple, and Starbucks. What made these companies so successful, and how can others do the same? With the help of this book, readers will learn how to build customer preference, and how to sell an image. This is an easy book to follow that tackles primal branding well.
- Authors: Patrick Hanlon (Author)
- Publisher: Free Press; First Printing Edition (January 24, 2006)
- Pages: 272 pages
7. BrandingPays: The Five-Step System to Reinvent Your Personal Brand
Simple, straight-forward guides to branding are the best books for beginners. BrandingPays: The Five-Step System to Reinvent Your Personal Brand by Karen Kang is one of those guides. These five easy steps will teach anyone to build a brand. This book is strategic and interesting. The concepts and ideas in this book are great for marketing. Not only does this book teach readers about branding, it also teaches them how to use branding online and with social media platforms. The research Kang discusses in this book is based on the Apple brand, and the steps that before launching. She bases this book on Apple because it is one of the largest, richest companies in the world. It has achieved great success, so why can’t everyone else? This is a great first read on branding, and it is perfect for business students.
- Authors: Karen Kang (Author)
- Publisher: BrandingPays Media (January 15, 2013)
- Pages: 208 pages
8. Sticky Branding: 12.5 Principles to Stand Out, Attract Customers & Grow an Incredible Brand
Stick Branding: 12.5 Principles to Stand Out, Attract Customers & Grow an Incredible Brand by Jeremy Miller is a book that helps companies stand apart from other companies. With the help of this book, businesses can make a unique brand that will succeed. This book is more about the experience than what is on the page. Miller provides examples in the forms of stories, exercises, and ideas. Readers will learn how to attract customers and build their brand to their individuality. They will be guided by 12 principles that are easy to follow, and based on hundreds of interviews with successful business owners, brand consultants, and CEOs. This book teaches readers to fight industry norms, and be their own brand. No matter how small the company, with the help of this book, any company can be a bright light in a sea of companies.
- Authors: Jeremy Miller (Author)
- Publisher: Page Two (June 4, 2019)
- Pages: 216 pages
9. Unconscious Branding
The best brands are those that unconsciously appeal to consumers. When a company is made, the brand is easy to identify. Unconscious Branding by Douglas Van Praet is a book that helps business owners understand the unconscious decisions consumers make. Praet helps business owners recognize the strategies that will help readers identify their customers. This book discusses the best techniques for branding. Praet uses successful examples to drive home his point, and helps readers better understand the message he is trying to explain. Some examples he uses are: Nike’s “Just Do It,” “Got Milk?,” and Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?”. Branding can be seen on posters, in commercials, and on social media. By discovering what draws consumers in unconsciously, business owners can target specific people and get more sales.
- Authors: Douglas Van Praet (Author)
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin; Reprint Edition (March 4, 2014)
- Pages: 288 pages
10. Platform: The Art and Science of Personal Branding
Platform: The Art and Science of Personal Branding by Cynthia Johnson is a book that guides business owners through the modern world of branding. This handbook helps readers find their voice in the branding community. Readers will learn to be an influencer with easy to follow steps. Johnson uses her personal experience to help readers blow up their brand, and make well-known brands. The brands can be personal brands, business brands, and more. Johnson analyzes the approaches of popular influencers such as #GirlBoss and #AskGaryVee to teach readers how they can succeed in the same way. Readers will learn how to achieve social proof, personal proof, association and recognition. This book is great for everyone who is trying to create a brand, but it’s particularly important for those who want to build a brand online. This book is tech-savvy and great for creating influence through social media.
- Authors: Cynthia Johnson (Author)
- Publisher: Lorena Jones Books (February 5, 2019)
- Pages: 224 pages
11. Rethinking Prestige Branding
There are many businesses that have done great things, particularly with their branding. Rethinking Prestige Branding by Wolfgang Schaefer analyzes some of the most popular brands, and explains why they achieved success. This book does something many books don’t do; it provides a behind the scenes at other brands. Brand interviews included in this book are: Red Bull, Apple, Cirque Du Soleil, and Hermes. This is a great book for business people, branding consultants, and graphic designers, but it’s also great for everyone else. It is simply a book that is interesting to learn about. No one really knows what happens with big businesses and their brands. With this book, readers will learn everything they want to know and more.
- Authors: Wolfgang Schaefer (Author), J.P. Kuehlwein (Author)
- Publisher: Kogan Page; 1st Edition (May 28, 2015)
- Pages: 272 pages
12. Identity Designed: The Definitive Guide to Visual Branding
Identity Designed: The Definitive Guide to Visual Branding by David Airey is a great book for future entrepreneurs and independent designers. In this book, Airey delves into all elements of branding. He explains the history of branding, what it is, and why it is important. With this book, readers will learn how to assess the best practices for branding, how to research those strategies, create ideas, develop touchpoints, create study guides, and make the most of your designs. There are many projects in this group that serve as examples for readers. There are projects by: Base, Lantern, OCD, Foreign Policy, Rice Creative, ico Design, Together Design, and more. By seeing visuals of examples, readers can get an idea of what brands look like, and which ones they most identify with. When they are ready to create their own, they’ll have a better understanding on what to base their brand on.
- Authors: David Airey (Author)
- Publisher: Rockport Publishers; Illustrated Edition (January 22, 2019)
- Pages: 288 pages
13. Archetypes in Branding: A Toolkit for Creatives and Strategists
There are necessary tools for creating a brand, and making the most of one’s business. Archetypes in Branding: A Toolkit for Creatives and Strategists by Margaret Hartwell is a great guide and toolkit for making a brand. This book identifies the archetypes in branding– it defines what archetypes are best for branding, and which aren’t. This book gives readers the tools to: understand their brand’s motivation, create strong relationships that will help their brand, and empower their team with integrity and creativity. Hartwell helps readers with their brand strategies. In addition to this, this book can be paired with online materials. A lot of the information in this book can be reviewed on archtypesinbranding.com. The best part of this book, however, is that it comes with archetype cards that help readers learn the new information, and practice it.
- Authors: Margaret Hartwell (Author), Joshua C. Chen (Author)
- Publisher: HOW Books; Spi Edition (September 13, 2012)
- Pages: 158 pages
14. Branding: In Five and a Half Steps
Branding is the perfect way to promote a company or product. Branding: In Five and a Half Steps by Michael Johson is an easy to follow book that explains what branding is, and how to do it. In this book, Johnson analyzes modern day brands and breaks them down to their basics. This book is easy to read, and great for beginner branders. The chapters are well-organized and straight-forward. It also includes some beautiful illustrations that contribute to the advice and tips that Johnson gives. The book has concrete steps and information for creating a brand. Although anyone can learn new information from this book, it is particularly aimed at graphic designers and brand consultants. The knowledge they obtain from this book will help them thrive in their careers.
- Authors: Michael Johnson (Author)
- Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1st Edition (November 15, 2016)
- Pages: 320 pages
15. Aaker on Branding: 20 Principles That Drive Success
Aaker on Branding: 20 Principles That Drive Success by David Aaker gives readers 20 tips for creating a successful brand. Aaker is both a theorist and a professor. The information in this book comes from lengthy research and personal experience. This book is essentially a roadmap to branding, and doing it the right way. Instead of telling readers what to do, Aaker maps out the top priorities for branding. In addition to giving readers tips and tricks for creating a brand, this book discusses the history of branding. The organization of this book makes it concise, lively, and fun to read. It does not feel like a boring, educational book; it reads like an informative, yet exciting, listicle. Anyone who is considered starting a brand should read this book.
- Authors: David Aaker (Author)
- Publisher: Morgan James Publishing (July 15, 2014)
- Pages: 220 pages
16. Branding + Interior Design: Visibility and Business Strategy for Interior Designers
Branding + Interior Design: Visibility and Business Strategy for Interior Designers by Kim Kuhtebl is the best book for learning about both branding and interior design. In this book, Kuhtebl teaches readers that branding isn’t about making the perfect logo; it’s about telling a story. With this book, readers will learn how to “define, learn, and communicate their vision.” This book has advice from a number of branding experts. It includes conversations with: Rose Tarlow, Vicente Wolf, Marty Lawrence Bullard, Kelly Hoppen and Barbara Barry. The conversations are great, but so are the visuals in this book. Kuthebl pairs the visuals with his advice and tips to make the topics seem cohesive and interesting. With this book, readers can pair the words to real life actions. There are exercises and worksheets in this book that help get readers branding right away.
- Authors: Kim Kuhteubl (Author)
- Publisher: Schiffer; 1st Edition (September 28, 2016)
- Pages: 240 pages
17. Personal Branding for Dummies
No one is perfect. Everyone can stand to improve their personal image a bit, especially their online image. Personal Branding for Dummies by Susan Chittron teaches readers how best to present themselves online, and in person. This book is on its second edition, so it has all the up to date information on personal branding. This guide helps readers create their own personal trademark. With the help of this book, readers can control how people perceive them. Readers will learn how to get the jobs they want, be the best candidate in a talent pool, and leave an impression on everyone they meet. Chittron provides an easy step by step plan for personal branding. Some of the topics covered in this book are: getting to know the “real” you, defining a target market, making plans for one’s personal brand, and learning how to make a mark on the environment.
- Authors: Susan Chritton (Author)
- Publisher: For Dummies; 2nd Edition (July 14, 2014)
- Pages: 368 pages
18. Branding: Brand Identity, Brand Strategy & Brand Development
There are many elements to creating and maintaining a brand. Branding: Brand Identity, Brand Strategy, and Brand Development by K.L. Hammond teaches readers everything they need to know about branding. With this book, readers will learn how to run a successful, quality business. Readers will learn how to create their own brand identity, generate powerful strategies, identify their consumers, and evolve their brand to work with the fast-paced world and media. This book is organized in a way that is easy to read and understand. However, this break is pretty basic, so it is best for those who are new to branding. This book is simple for beginners to understand and implement in their businesses.
- Authors: K.L. Hammond (Author)
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 14, 2017)
- Pages: 192 pages
19. Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself
Branding is most commonly associated with big businesses. They use commercials, slogans, and billboards to receive more sales. Even though businesses often use branding, so can everyone else. Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself by Erik Deckers and Kyle Lacy teaches readers to brand themselves. Social media is evolving every day. Many times new employers will look at a person’s social media account to get a feel for their personality, and what they are like. With the help of this book, readers will make the most of their social media profiles. The techniques in this book are effective and easy to follow. Everyone can learn something new by reading this book. Readers can identify their social media goals, and then implement them with the advice of Deckers and Lacy.
- Authors: Erik Deckers (Author)
- Publisher: Que Publishing; 3rd Edition (November 16, 2017)
- Pages: 394 pages
20. The Ministry of Branding: A Biblical Approach to Brand Building
Businesses need to build their brand, yes, but so do ministries. The Ministry of Branding: A Biblical Approach to Brand Building by Mike Martin will help ministries, organizations, businesses and more create a successful brand. Anyone can build a brand. By building a brand, organizations can obtain more members and better represent themselves to the outside world. This book is best for pastor and church leaders. With the help of this book, readers will learn how to make a brand that lasts. Those of Christian faith will love seeing their religion represented in this book. However, those who don’t identify with the Christian faith will learn a lot from this book, too. The examples and experiences in this book are taught on a personal level. This book is easy to read, and interesting.
- Authors: Mike Martin (Author)
- Publisher: Independently published (October 1, 2018)
- Pages: 166 pages
Choosing the Best Books on Branding
Branding is important in life. That’s that. The best way to understand branding and get ahead of it, is to learn about it. The social media world is taking off. Business owners should not, cannot be the only people worrying about branding. Beat the crowd and learn how to brand one self as a person, or as a business. These books should help with that.