Have you noticed how integral digital elements have become in our lives? Whether we love it or hate it, we are living in a digital economy, interacting with digital devices, building and managing digital relationships.

Here are 10 books that will give you insights on digital data trends and guide you through the digital landscape in 2016.

“Disrupting Digital Business: Create an Authentic Experience in the Peer-to-Peer Economy”

by R “Ray” Wang

More than half of the Fortune 500 have been merged, acquired, gone bankrupt and fallen off the list in the last 15 years because they didn’t adapt, transform or keep pace.  In “Disrupting Digital Business: Create an Authentic Experience in the Peer-to-Peer Economy,”  Wang claims it’s all about the right mindset and that includes being true to yourself and your brand mission, leveraging people-to-people networks, keeping brand promises, personalizing the customer experience, focusing on relevant content and developing a culture of digital DNA. The key to moving your organization forward lies in having a focus on transformation, staying relevant, being intentional and networked. Regardless how big or small your business is, you will find inspiration here.

“The Rise of the Platform Marketer: Performance Marketing with Google, Facebook, and Twitter, Plus the Latest High-Growth Digital Advertising Platforms”

by Craig Dempster and John Lee

These days marketing is more about digital creativity.  Collecting, managing and making sense of consumer data is the best way to deliver targeted personal experience that your customers have come to expect online. In “The Rise of the Platform Marketer: Performance Marketing with Google, Facebook, and Twitter, Plus the Latest High-Growth Digital Advertising Platforms” by Craig Dempster and John Lee (@JohnLeeMerkle), you’ll learn how to build competencies that will help you take advantage of the ever changing digital landscape. The book goes into detail about how to use digital tools like social media and digital marketing and how to develop strategies in this environment.

If you’ve been wondering how you’re going to accept, adapt and leverage tomorrow’s social platforms, this is a book that belongs on your shelf.

“DotCom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online”

by Russell Brunson

Russell Brunson (@RussellBrunson) isn’t just an author. He’s also the man behind the awesome marketing automation tool called “Click Funnels”. This tool has gained so much traction that he’s written “DotCom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online” to help small businesses market online without worrying about the technical aspects of online marketing. Brunsen has taken everything that this tool does and written about it in exquisite detail so that you can do it too.  The good news is that you don’t have to be a Click Funnels customer to appreciate the strategies Brunsen covers here.

This is a wonderful book for any small business owner looking to sell products or services online and to make that experience educational, rewarding and profitable for their customer.

“Small Data: The Tiny Clues That Uncover Huge Trends”

by Martin Lindstrom

By now you’ve probably heard of the phrase “Big Data.” This is the moniker we give to the onslaught of personal information that we share through our daily actions or social media sharing.  In “Small Data: The Tiny Clues That Uncover Huge Trends” by Martin Lindstrom (@MartinLindstrom), the author takes it to the other extreme.  He claims that Big Data doesn’t really give brands the kinds of insights they need to connect with their ideal customer.  Instead, Lindstrom goes to “Small Data,” triangulating highly personal data such as diaries, phone records and interviews.

This is a fascinating story of how our invisible and intimate behavior will have you predicting trends by simply observing social posts and seemingly insignificant actions.

“Twitter Power 3.0: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time”

by Joel Comm and Dave Taylor

Twitter has evolved from a social media fad to a phenomenon.  And if you’re still mystified, don’t worry. Pick up a copy of “Twitter Power 3.0: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time” by Joel Comm (@JoelComm) and Dave Taylor (@DaveTaylor).  It’s a completely updated guide to Twitter in 2016.

You’ll get everything from setting up your account to “Twitter Etiquette” and how to connect and build relationships with experts, customers and everyone in between.  The book even gives you practical tips on how to set up your profiles and keep your account secure. You’ll love Comm’s practical advice that makes Twitter accessible and manageable even if you’ve never Tweeted before.

“Shareology: How Sharing is Powering the Human Economy”

by Bryan Kramer

From the first cave painting illustrating the latest hunting expedition to posting your vacation picture on Facebook and Tweeting your comments around this week’s episode of “Survivor,” it’s clear that people LOVE sharing. In “Shareology: How Sharing is Powering the Human Economy,”  author Bryan Kramer (@BryanKramer), a leading authority on social and digital media, takes a deep dive into the history and condition of sharing.  He didn’t write this book just for business or brands. He wrote it for people who want to understand and connect with others in a powerful way.  This book will show you how to listen on social media, see content as currency and develop personalized strategies that will help you grow and expand your marketing impact using social media.

“The Smarter Screen: Surprising Ways to Influence and Improve Online Behavior”

by Shlomo Benartzi (@ShlomoBenartzi) and Jonah Lehrer (@JonahLehrer)

If you read a book on an iPad, you’re less likely to remember its contents than if you read a hard copy! You overvalue products when you shop on a touch screen. Facts like this may seem trivial, but they make an enormous impact on how we process information and the decisions that we make.  In “The Smarter Screen: Surprising Ways to Influence and Improve Online Behavior” by Shlomo Benartzi (@ShlomoBenartzi) and Jonah Lehrer (@JonahLehrer), you’ll explore how to leverage the changes that technology makes to our brains in order to make better decisions. If you’re a gadget geek and interested in the backstory of intended and unintended consequences, you’ll enjoy this book.

“The Storyteller’s Secret: From TED Speakers to Business Legends, Why Some Ideas Catch On and Others Don’t”

by Carmine Gallo

If you want to move, influence, persuade, touch and inspire people, then become a great storyteller.  In “The Storyteller’s Secret: From TED Speakers to Business Legends, Why Some Ideas Catch On and Others Don’t,” author Carmine Gallo (@CarmineGallo) shows you how to reframe ideas to make an irresistible, memorable and emotional connection with your audience.  The book goes into actual brain science to explain why human beings are attracted to stories and gives insights and examples how to create your own stories. He uses examples such as Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Bill and Melinda Gates and more.  Here’s a sneak peek at one of the core principles  Great storytellers have had struggles in their lives and have learned to turn that adversity into victory. Ultimately, not every great storyteller is a hero, but they know how to talk like one.

“The Quarter Method, Book 1: The Psychology of Sales (Volume 1)”

by Roy Wilhite

“The Quarter Method, Book 1: The Psychology of Sales (Volume 1)” by Roy Wilhite is the first of a 3-volume series that focuses on the psychology of sales.  The author is a psychologist and uses his experience in how people buy to demystify the sales process. Think of it as a sales system.  This volume starts before the actual sales process begins.  The author brings your attention to your mindset and focuses on recognizing and changing bad habits.  Other topics include getting into the mindset of the customer, wants versus needs and understanding perceived value from the customer’s point of view.  This volume is ideal for the new sales person or a salesperson who wants to take a fresh look at themselves or a new industry.

“The Challenger Customer: Selling to the Hidden Influencer Who Can Multiply Your Results”

by Brent Adamson and Matthew Dixon

Did you know that every purchase by a large company involves an average of 5.4 people? With that many cooks in the purchasing kitchen, it’s not surprising that they have conflicting priorities. In “The Challenger Customer: Selling to the Hidden Influencer Who Can Multiply Your Results” by Brent Adamson (@BrentAdamson) and Matthew Dixon (@Matthewxdixon), the authors show you how to focus on the low hanging fruit and that does NOT include the easy customers.  It’s actually found by focusing on the more challenging customers. The key is to reach all the decision makers and bring them to consensus.  Using in-depth research from CEB (Corporate Executive Board), the authors lay out a five-step process that will help you find those “Challenger Customers”, engage with them and leverage them to drive consensus.

[“source-smallbiztrends”]