Books to inspire your feminist marketing strategy

When it comes to business and marketing, the best books aren’t how-to-guides or even found in the business section. I firmly believe that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy or solution for marketing your business — no matter how big or small — so my favourite books are the ones that help you get more clear and aligned with your own vision for your business and how you want to show up in the world.

Here is a list of five of my faves to inspire your feminist business marketing strategy.

For when you’re looking for hope

Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds - adrienne marie brown 

While Emergent Strategy is primarily about social change, the lessons contained in this instant classic can also be applied to building a feminist business and creating a sustainable marketing plan. This is the book that I turn to when I want to be reminded that change is possible and to learn critical lessons from nature.

For when you need clarity and connection with your business

The Business Birthing Handbook - Jennifer Armbrust 

My copy of the Business Birthing Handbook is dogeared, underlined, highlighted, with notes scrawled in the margins. If it’s not on my nightstand it’s in my bag, as this is the book I’m constantly coming back to whether I’m looking for inspiration, next steps or just need to feel clear and grounded in my business vision. The tools in this book will help illuminate what’s already inside of you and connect with the spirit of your business.

For building a strong digital foundation

See You On the Internet: Building Your Small Business with Digital Marketing - Avery Swartz 

When you’re navigating the wild west of digital marketing, Avery is who you want to be your guide. She is friendly and approachable, and this book is easy to read. Packed with helpful and important information you need to decide what tactics and platforms you need to actually create an effective digital marketing presence. While I like to think I know just about everything when it comes to marketing, I learned a lot from this book and find myself coming back to it when I need to get back to basics.

For seeing a different way of doing business in action

The Greater Good: Social Entrepreneurship for Everyday People Who Want to Change the World - Madeleine Shaw

This is quite literally the book on social entrepreneurship. And the best part is not only has Madeleine shared so much of her own experience building sustainable menstrual product brand Aisle (forever my favourite feminist business), but the stories of many other successful social entrepreneurs. Grab a copy of this book on those days when you need to remember you’re not alone on this journey and there are many others out there building — and thriving in! — sustainable, feminist businesses.

For when it’s hard to show up

No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model - Richard Schwartz 

You know the part of you that knows that you need to – and even wants to – show up in your business and the part of you that is so scared you end up frozen, doing nothing at all? This book will help you understand and get to know all of those parts so you can break through blocks and move towards the success you want and deserve.