A Strategist’s
Solo Book Club for Strategy
Learning strategy is hard.
Reading books makes it less hard.
I don’t get paid to promote these books. I just find them helpful for understanding what we do as Strategists. If you’re a Junior or Pre-Junior Strategist, I’d recommend starting here.
Top 3 books about the basics
I mark up my books when there’s something I want to remember. Almost every page of this book is marked.
How Not To Plan:
66 Ways to Screw It Up
Quick reads covering topics that strategists deal with today.
How to Write an Inspired Creative Brief
A primer on the basics of briefs.
Top 3 books about the craft
Writing is important for strategy. So learn to write good.
Writing is the first step. Every other step is editing.
The best book on visual storytelling.
Top 3 books about thinking
Want to learn about asking questions? Read this.
Combines food with frameworks to explain why people like the things they do.
Learn how to use rhetoric to form more persuasive arguments. Has a surprising amount of Homer Simpson quotes.
Top 3 books about actual work
A clear explanation for how to create experiences.
Cognitive biases that we should all keep in mind.
Frameworks, frameworks, frameworks.
Top 3 books about advertising
The advertising book that I wish existed during undergrad.
Every brand manager has read this, you should too.
It feels dated, but it’s the book everyone recommends. Just read this and be done with it.