Title: Growth Hacker Marketing: A Primer on the Future of PR, Marketing, and Advertising (Revised & Expanded)
Author: Ryan Holiday
Publication date: September 30, 2014 (Portfolio/Penguin Random House). First “Penguin Single” e-original in 2013.
Pages: 176 (2014 edition).
Value for PMs & founders — problem it solves
Shows how to swap big-bang campaigns for a lean, test-and-learn growth system: secure PMF, engineer acquisition & virality loops, and optimize retention before scaling spend.
Summary
Defines the growth-hacker mindset (everything testable/trackable/scalable). Lays out four steps: (1) Product-Market Fit, (2) Find your growth hacks/channels, (3) Make it go viral (1→2→4…), (4) Close the loop with retention & optimization. 2014 edition adds updated case studies.
3 community-reported takeaways (with sources)
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PMF first—don’t pour fuel until the engine runs. @siquanong
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Loops beat blasts—viral mechanics plus retention drive sustainable growth. Blinkist
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Metrics that matter—avoid vanity metrics; iterate based on real signal. Product Management Book Summaries
Buy online (FR & international)
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Penguin Random House (publisher page). PenguinRandomhouse.com
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Amazon (US) — paperback (2014). Amazon
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Bookshop.org — paperback. Bookshop UK
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Barnes & Noble (US) — paperback. Barnes & Noble
Author of Impact Factories / Co-founder of Shy Robotics and Product Whys / Head of Product at Dassault Systèmes / Engineer passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship
Full bibliography here
