Best Copywriting Books
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Best Copywriting Books
Copywriting is a powerful tool for improving company sales, generating leads, converting prospects to paying customers, creating interest in your business, prompting free word of mouth advertising and of course, helping you genuinely connect with your customers.
Copywriting books are a great way to learn how to improve your writing skills and understand the process that goes into creating compelling copy that'll work for you... whatever your own business goals might be.
Many people underestimate how important good copy is, it can make all the difference in your marketing efforts!
Bad copy will often destroy any chance you'll have of running a successful marketing or advertising campaign.
If you're interested in becoming a freelance copywriter, improving your company's marketing materials or just want to learn how to write content that works for you rather than against you, I've created this list of books to help you avoid the 'lemons' out there.
These books are all written by 'tested-under-fire' copywriters, men and woman who've generated millions of dollars of revenue for their clients, and for themselves over the years. They are wonderful resources for beginners and veterans alike.
Stop staring at a blank page and start writing already!
Copywriting books are a great way to learn how to improve your writing skills and understand the process that goes into creating compelling copy that'll work for you... whatever your own business goals might be.
Many people underestimate how important good copy is, it can make all the difference in your marketing efforts!
Bad copy will often destroy any chance you'll have of running a successful marketing or advertising campaign.
If you're interested in becoming a freelance copywriter, improving your company's marketing materials or just want to learn how to write content that works for you rather than against you, I've created this list of books to help you avoid the 'lemons' out there.
These books are all written by 'tested-under-fire' copywriters, men and woman who've generated millions of dollars of revenue for their clients, and for themselves over the years. They are wonderful resources for beginners and veterans alike.
Stop staring at a blank page and start writing already!
The Copywriter's Handbook
Bob Bly
Absolutely brilliant. When I first began as a copywriter, I found myself reading and re-reading this book for inspiration and even today I refer to it regularly.
Bob Bly is one of the most respected copywriters you might never have heard of. He takes you through the entire process of developing copy from beginning to end.
He discusses every aspect of copywriting, including the various types of projects you'll encounter like web content, brochure writing, ads, direct mail and much more.
But perhaps even more valuable are Bly's insights into 'Writing to get attention', 'Writing to communicate' and 'writing to sell'.
In addition, he discusses how to get a job as a copywriter, how to hire and work with copywriters and even goes into graphic design.
I highly recommend this book and strongly urge you take a look if you want a complete resource on the art of effective copywriting.
Bob Bly is one of the most respected copywriters you might never have heard of. He takes you through the entire process of developing copy from beginning to end.
He discusses every aspect of copywriting, including the various types of projects you'll encounter like web content, brochure writing, ads, direct mail and much more.
But perhaps even more valuable are Bly's insights into 'Writing to get attention', 'Writing to communicate' and 'writing to sell'.
In addition, he discusses how to get a job as a copywriter, how to hire and work with copywriters and even goes into graphic design.
I highly recommend this book and strongly urge you take a look if you want a complete resource on the art of effective copywriting.
Secrets of a Freelance Writer
Bob Bly
I relied on much of the advice presented in this book when beginning my own freelance writing service.
One of the scariest decisions I ever made was to quit my safe job as lead copywriter at a large corporation and go it alone. Bly's helpful guidance boosted my confidence, not in my ability as a writer, but in terms of setting up my business effectively and attracting high quality clients.
He discusses normal tasks a freelancer has to get used to, setting appropriate fees, deciding on which market will fit your skills and experience, how to market yourself and generate quality leads, ensuring your copy pleases clients and even introduces you to common problems a freelance writer will face and how to overcome them.
The tips and guidance contained in this book are valuable and worth much, much more than what it costs.
One of the scariest decisions I ever made was to quit my safe job as lead copywriter at a large corporation and go it alone. Bly's helpful guidance boosted my confidence, not in my ability as a writer, but in terms of setting up my business effectively and attracting high quality clients.
He discusses normal tasks a freelancer has to get used to, setting appropriate fees, deciding on which market will fit your skills and experience, how to market yourself and generate quality leads, ensuring your copy pleases clients and even introduces you to common problems a freelance writer will face and how to overcome them.
The tips and guidance contained in this book are valuable and worth much, much more than what it costs.
Web Copy That Sells
Maria Veloso
Writing for the web is an exercise many copywriters find uncomfortable. Especially for those who learned their craft when print marketing ruled.
Now, though print marketing still generates billions of dollars of revenue each year for companies worldwide, the importance of an effective online presence grows with each passing day.
Maria Veloso has really presented an effective and practical blueprint for writers who want to write online content that sells.
She explains design best practices to illustrate how people read websites and then shows, how writers can take advantage of it.
One great aspect of this book is Veloso contrasts examples of good and bad web copy, so the reader can actually understand the difference.
She goes into email marketing, business to business online writing, crafting content for web 2.0 properties and a heck of a lot more.
This book is fantastic for anyone looking for practical insights into writing great online copy.
Now, though print marketing still generates billions of dollars of revenue each year for companies worldwide, the importance of an effective online presence grows with each passing day.
Maria Veloso has really presented an effective and practical blueprint for writers who want to write online content that sells.
She explains design best practices to illustrate how people read websites and then shows, how writers can take advantage of it.
One great aspect of this book is Veloso contrasts examples of good and bad web copy, so the reader can actually understand the difference.
She goes into email marketing, business to business online writing, crafting content for web 2.0 properties and a heck of a lot more.
This book is fantastic for anyone looking for practical insights into writing great online copy.
The Adweek Copywriting Handbook
Joseph Sugarman
What is there to say about Joseph Sugarman that hasn't already been said? This guy is one of the most well-known and successful advertising copywriters to ever work in the biz.
In the Adweek Copywriting Handbook Sugarman speaks about succeeding as an advertising copywriter. What it takes and how to get there.
He walks the reader through the process of writing effective advertising and marketing copy including: connecting with the reader, sending down the slippery slide until they have no choice but to take action, planting seeds of curiosity, understanding and using psychological triggers and even explains how you can rate your writing level.
A real bonus in this book is when Sugarman goes over highly successful advertising copy and details how and why the advertisements were so effective.
If you want real concrete methods to write powerful and persuasive copy, this is the book for you.
In the Adweek Copywriting Handbook Sugarman speaks about succeeding as an advertising copywriter. What it takes and how to get there.
He walks the reader through the process of writing effective advertising and marketing copy including: connecting with the reader, sending down the slippery slide until they have no choice but to take action, planting seeds of curiosity, understanding and using psychological triggers and even explains how you can rate your writing level.
A real bonus in this book is when Sugarman goes over highly successful advertising copy and details how and why the advertisements were so effective.
If you want real concrete methods to write powerful and persuasive copy, this is the book for you.
Phrases That Sell
Edward Wertz and Sally Germain
Ever sat staring at a blank computer screen wondering what words will convince readers to buy what you're selling? Well, this handy reference tool will help smash even the most stubborn writer's block.
Wertz and Germain have compiled phrases and slogans that have been proven persuaders in hundreds of advertising and marketing pieces. In fact, they've put over 5000 of these 'selling phrases' together in this book so the possibilities for people that use Phrases That Sell are vast.
In addition, they give you a helpful, though far from in-depth, primer in copywriting and explain the thought process that'll help you write your own powerful phrases and slogans.
Excellent resource when you need some copywriting help, but if you are looking for a step-by-step guide than this probably isn't for you.
Wertz and Germain have compiled phrases and slogans that have been proven persuaders in hundreds of advertising and marketing pieces. In fact, they've put over 5000 of these 'selling phrases' together in this book so the possibilities for people that use Phrases That Sell are vast.
In addition, they give you a helpful, though far from in-depth, primer in copywriting and explain the thought process that'll help you write your own powerful phrases and slogans.
Excellent resource when you need some copywriting help, but if you are looking for a step-by-step guide than this probably isn't for you.
The Ultimate Sales Letter
Dan Kennedy
If you want to learn how to write an effective sales letter, you couldn't ask for a better teacher than Dan Kennedy. This guy has pulled in $100, 000 dollars per sales letter plus a percentage of gross. That's just how effective his letters are.
Though sales letters aren't my specialty, I found this book to be brilliant in laying out how to build a slam-dunk sales letter. And it is really like building. Layering techniques one on top of the other until the reader is compelled to take action.
Kennedy walks you through how to sell using strong emotion and then explains how to close the deal with iron-clad logic.
This book is number one for any aspiring writers who want to sell products or services with long-form sales letters.
Though sales letters aren't my specialty, I found this book to be brilliant in laying out how to build a slam-dunk sales letter. And it is really like building. Layering techniques one on top of the other until the reader is compelled to take action.
Kennedy walks you through how to sell using strong emotion and then explains how to close the deal with iron-clad logic.
This book is number one for any aspiring writers who want to sell products or services with long-form sales letters.
That's all she (or he) wrote!
I hope this has been a helpful reference for aspiring and experienced copywriters alike. If you'd like to learn more about me or discuss a copywriting project, pop over to my personal Toronto Copywriting Website. Otherwise, feel free to check out my Toronto Marketing Blog whenever you have the chance.
Take it easy and I look forward to hearing from you. If there are any books you think I should add to the list (or read) just let me know!
Brian
Take it easy and I look forward to hearing from you. If there are any books you think I should add to the list (or read) just let me know!
Brian
Best Marketing Tips
by BrianBirnbaum
Brian Birnbaum is a Toronto Copywriter who helps companies create smart and effective marketing materials.
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