Top 5 Marketing Books for Your Renewable Energy Company’s Christmas Wish List

As the festive season approaches, it’s the perfect time to think about the gifts that keep on giving—like inspiration and fresh ideas for your marketing team. 

For renewable energy companies and those in the sustainability space, marketing is no longer just about selling products; it’s about forging trust in new innovations, telling purpose-driven stories, and showing audiences how they can be part of a positive change.

Whether you’re looking to refine your messaging, build your brand’s voice, or craft campaigns that resonate deeply with a B2B audience, we’ve handpicked five marketing books that promise to equip and inspire your team well into the new year.

So, pour yourself a warm drink, settle into a cosy spot, and join our team as we browse the Wildtribe Library. Let’s unwrap these essential reads—and discover how they can transform your approach to marketing in the renewable and sustainability sectors.

1. Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins by Mark Schaefer

In Marketing Rebellion, Schaefer argues that traditional marketing methods no longer resonate in a world where customers are in control. He urges marketers to prioritise authenticity, human connection, and community.

Highlights:

• The “third rebellion” in marketing is all about customer-centricity and emotional connection.
• Case studies demonstrate the success of companies embracing human-focused marketing.
• Actionable insights on fostering loyalty by creating meaningful experiences.

Why It’s Perfect for Renewables:
Schaefer’s emphasis on authenticity aligns so well with the transparency now demanded between companies and from end-users around all aspects of sustainability, and particularly reporting and reducing our climate impact. 

Key Takeaway: Lead the rebellion: modern marketing means being more human, transparent, and customer-first. 

Our Tribe’s Thoughts

Becks Gray, Lead Content Writer 

“In an algorithmic AI-world, I found it a refreshing and compelling argument that the human touch not only still counts, but trounces those who retreat into AI-blandness or hide behind corporate anonymity. 

The most human company wins—and does so by having character, empathy and a meaningful story to define the brand. 

People like to tell stories and they’ll tell yours if it aligns with their values. A powerful takeaway for me is that, actually, customers are now the marketers. 

We forget that at our peril.” 

2. Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller

This book is part of Miller’s StoryBrand series and is a practical guide for creating a clear, compelling marketing plan that drives results. It is packed full of practical, step-by-step advice and marketing tools. 

Highlights:

• A five-step framework to clarify your message and attract the right audience.
• How to craft a sales funnel that works.
• Simple strategies for executing effective email campaigns and landing pages.

Why It’s Perfect for Renewables:
In an industry full of complex technical concepts and jargon, Miller’s framework helps simplify your messaging to make your messaging around your product or service accessible and relatable. 

Key Takeaway: Simplify your messaging to resonate with customers and guide them through a seamless buying journey. 

Feel free to steal more of our agency’s tips on marketing strategy and customer journeys.  

3. Become the GO-TO Brand by Barnaby Wynter

Wynter’s book provides a step-by-step guide to building a trusted brand that resonates deeply with its audience. Focused on authenticity and long-term value, he helps marketers design an ecosystem where their brand naturally becomes the preferred choice in their industry.

Highlights:

• The Buyer’s Journey: Wynter outlines the importance of designing every touchpoint to guide prospects from discovery to advocacy, ensuring a seamless customer experience.
• Consistency is Key: He emphasises that delivering consistent value builds trust and strengthens brand loyalty over time.
• Brand Ecosystem Design: The book explains how to create a holistic marketing ecosystem that positions your brand as indispensable in your niche.

Why It’s Perfect for Renewables:
For renewable energy and sustainability companies, where trust is critical to overcoming scepticism, Wynter’s focus on building authentic, purpose-driven connections is invaluable. His principles help renewable brands educate audiences, reassuring potential customers through a well-designed journey.

Key Takeaway:
To become the go-to choice in your market, focus on delivering consistent value, building trust, and designing every interaction with intention. 

We’ve taken Wynter’s advice on board with a dose of valuable content for our renewable energy marketing niche: the tip-filled monthly mailer, The Buzz. 

Our Tribe’s Thoughts

Andy Gibson, Director of Wildtribe

“The concept of 'value propositions' (plural) instead of one 'value proposition' came from ‘Become the GO-TO Brand’ and I use that now in how we construct positioning and messaging for clients and in our marketing workshops. 

The businesses we work with often have a range of 'value propositions' that can be interchangeable to suit the audience being targeted. The thought that one sentence—one VP—can sum-up a global multi-national business to all potential markets is an over-simplification that marketing shouldn't be looking to achieve. 

The concept of 'value propositions' allows for greater personalisation - which is our ambition in marketing.”

4. This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin

Godin shifts the focus from tactics to philosophy, encouraging marketers to view marketing as a chance to serve and connect.

Highlights:

• Insights into understanding your audience’s desires and pain points.
• Emphasis on empathy, storytelling, and creating cultural significance.
• Lessons on creating change by building small, meaningful tribes that rally behind your company’s green mission.

Why It’s Perfect for Renewables:
Godin’s lessons on empathy and purpose-driven marketing align beautifully with the mission of renewable energy and cleantech companies. It’s about showing customers the bigger picture while meeting their specific needs.

Key Takeaway: Marketing is about creating value for the right audience, not chasing mass appeal. 

One way our agency has embraced this philosophy is using stories to create positive PR for renewable energy through our side-project the Green Voice Alliance.  Do check it out!

Our Tribe’s Thoughts

Gabby Dunne, PR and Marketing Manager

“My favourite quote from Seth Godin’s ‘This Is Marketing’ actually made me laugh at first. ‘Specific is a type of bravery’ sounded like something you’d see on a regrettable tattoo, but the more I thought about it, the more it resonated. Godin explores the psychology of why we feel the need to market to everyone and why it takes real courage to focus on a niche.

The book is a masterclass in shifting perspective - moving from just selling to truly serving your audience. It challenges traditional marketing norms, urging us to prioritise connection, authenticity, and creating real value. 

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What stood out to me most is how it aligns with our Wildtribe ethos: it’s not about making noise but about making a meaningful difference.” 

5. Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age by Jonah Berger

Berger explores why certain ideas and products catch on while others don’t. He identifies six principles of contagiousness that make ideas spread.

Highlights:

• The STEPPS framework: Social Currency, Triggers, Emotion, Public, Practical Value, and Stories.
• How small tweaks in messaging can significantly boost shareability.
• Case studies of viral campaigns and word-of-mouth phenomena.

Why It’s Perfect for Renewables:
In an industry driven by innovation and the surprise of the new, this book helps marketers create buzzworthy campaigns that get people talking about your sustainability efforts.

Key Takeaway: Harness the science of social sharing to create campaigns that naturally spread.

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up 2024 and look to the year ahead, these books provide the perfect blend of inspiration, strategy, and practical advice for marketing in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors. Whether you’re aiming to simplify your messaging, build trust, or ignite conversations around your green solutions, these books are gifts that will pay dividends long after the holiday season.

For more specific advice for your team from renewable energy marketing experts, talk to us. 

We work across the supply chain and multiple renewable energy, cleantech and sustainability niches and are here to help amplify your message, communicate clearly and deliver valuable content for your audience. 

Let us help you get found, be heard, and grow.

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