How I spent my $25 B&N gift card...

BrianMcLeod · 12-30-2009, 12:50 PM

Well... okay, it went a bit over the $25 but only by like $10 bucks or so.

Been meaning to pick up Ca$vertising and Bob Bly's Handbook.. the phrases book was an impulse buy on suggestion.

Scott Murdaugh · 12-30-2009, 01:01 PM

I haven't read "Cashvertising", need to get around to that one.

I have Bly's book and it's a pretty solid read. I personally found it a little bit of a dry read, but it has some great info in it. It's pretty comprehensive.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Cashvertising" when you've read it... Eh, I may just go hop on Amazon now that you've got me thinking about it.

As for the third one, I've never read/heard of it. Sounds similar to "Words That Sell", which I've bought and browsed through, yet rarely use.

Nice use of a B&N gift card though.

-Scott

Ross Bowring · 12-30-2009, 01:06 PM

Cashvertising is a great book. Written with great energy. The "nifty fifty" restaurant Drew talks about a lot is on the way past my in-laws in North Philly. Good purchase, Brian.

ghyphena · 12-30-2009, 01:12 PM

Ca$hvertising is absolutely amazing, given the size and price of the book. It's aimed (I think) at small business owners, but it nonetheless lays out all the elements of good copy succinctly and coherently.

The book is divided up into "Consumer Psychology Principles" and "Ad-Agency Secrets". Chapters are short and very readable.

Like a condensed version of a $1,000 copywriting course, really.

It also mentions heuristics, which I've rarely seen discussed in any copywriting book/course. Brownie points.

BrianMcLeod · 12-30-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Murdaugh

I have Bly's book and it's a pretty solid read. I personally found it a little bit of a dry read, but it has some great info in it. It's pretty comprehensive.

It's funny - the book itself is 420 some-odd pages but it's the THINNEST, flimsiest paper you can imagine. Floppy like a magazine... you can roll the thing up!

Quote:

I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Cashvertising" when you've read it... Eh, I may just go hop on Amazon now that you've got me thinking about it.

It's already proven to be a fantastic book (couldn't help but to dig into it a little right away!). It's a FAST read and fun.

I fully agree with Ross and Glyphena's comments below. It's been "on my list" for too long... wish I had gotten off my ass about it sooner.

Frankly, it's the book I set out to buy...

Quote:

As for the third one, I've never read/heard of it. Sounds similar to "Words That Sell", which I've bought and browsed through, yet rarely use.

Where "Words That Sell" is sort of like a situational thesaurus or whatever, this one is much more comprehensive and application specific swipe file of contextual creativity boosters. It's much cooler than I thought it would be, honestly!

Quote:

Nice use of a B&N gift card though.

-Scott

Yeah, quite an amazing amount of great information for $35-ish... Scary, really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross Bowring

Cashvertising is a great book. Written with great energy. The "nifty fifty" restaurant Drew talks about a lot is on the way past my in-laws in North Philly. Good purchase, Brian.

"Great energy" describes it perfectly. It's a FUN read. How many copywriting books have we all read that can be described that way?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghyphena

Ca is absolutely amazing, given the size and price of the book. It's aimed (I think) at small business owners, but it nonetheless lays out all the elements of good copy succinctly and coherently.

Agreed.

Quote:

The book is divided up into "Consumer Psychology Principles" and "Ad-Agency Secrets". Chapters are short and very readable.

Like a condensed version of a $1,000 copywriting course, really.

Yup.

Quote:

It also mentions heuristics, which I've rarely seen discussed in any copywriting book/course. Brownie points.

True... and it's more about easily climbing into the brain of the reader than the mechanics of the copy - which I appreciate.

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Best,

Brian

Scott Murdaugh · 12-30-2009, 03:12 PM

Okay, "Cashvertising"... $10 on Amazon, 100% 5 star reviews and recommended by you guys, it's in the mail.

Thanks for helping me cross another "must read" off of my list, looking forward to checking it out.

-Scott

matthewd · 12-30-2009, 03:46 PM

Looks like I'm headed to Border's tomorrow!

daddyoh · 12-30-2009, 04:20 PM

Nice share, Paul!

Here's Drew Eric Whitman reading a 15-minute excerpt from "Cashvertising" on Blog Talk Radio:
Drew Whitman - Cahvertising 10/12/2009 - Authors Read on Blog Talk Radio

Here's his site with another audio and an excerpt from Chapter 2:
CA$HVERTISING

From Google Books (No Preview Here):

Book overview

Barely one in a hundred businesspeople know these FACTS about creating
powerful advertising: Sixty percent of people read only headlines, Captions
under photos get 200 percent greater readership than non-headline copy,
Ads with sale prices draw 20 percent more attention, Quadrupling an ad's
size doubles its attention value, Four-color ads are up to 45 percent more
effective than black and white.

New York's biggest ad agencies use these
little-known secrets every day to influence people to buy. And now-thanks
to Cashvertising-you can, too.

These techniques are based on human
psychology. They work no matter where you're located, no matter what kind
of product or service you sell, and no matter where you advertise.

In fact,
most don't cost a penny to use. Cashvertising teaches you the tips, tricks,
and strategies that top gun copywriters and designers use to persuade
people to buy like crazy.

No matter what you sell-or how you sell it-this
practical book will teach you: How to create powerful ads, brochures, sales
letters, Websites, and more, How to make people believe what you say,
"Sneaky" ways to persuade people to respond, Effective tricks for writing
"magnetic" headlines, The psychology of ad design, positioning, color, and
pricing.

Loren Woirhaye · 12-30-2009, 07:01 PM

I just ordered the "Perfect Phrases" book based on your
recommendation, Brian. Thanks.

I own "Words That Sell" and while I like it I don't use it
much - it's a little abstract for the way I write.

I would but Ca$hvertising on my top 5 list for people who
want to write their own copy but don't want to work
with clients. It's on the top 10 for freelancers definitely,
especially for food copy and copy for local businesses.

Matt James · 12-31-2009, 09:45 AM

Another "thumbs up" for Ca$hvertising here.

Drew is also worth a follow on Twitter, he dishes out some copy gems now and again.

Johnny12345 · 01-01-2010, 05:13 PM

Drew Eric Whitman tends to cut right to the chase. No fluff. No filler. I like that. Ca$hvertising is absolutely top notch. Buy it, if you haven't already.

Johnny

Jag82 · 01-01-2010, 10:10 PM

Brian,

You post makes me feel like yanking my
wallet out and rushing down to Borders to get
the titles you mention.

I heard a lot of good things about Cashvertising.

And after being exposed to so much of Bob Bly's ads,
I'm sure his copywriter handbook will be a great read too.

Much more power to you!

Jag

Woody C · 01-02-2010, 08:49 AM

Ca$hvertising is a must for any marketer and/or copywriter. Drew is a very informative, nice, and intelligent guy. I used to talk with him all the time on Twitter, and even did a video review of Ca$hvertising on Amazon.

I haven't read either of the two other books, but I'll put them on my to-read list and get to them soon.

12-30-2009, 12:50 PM	#1
BrianMcLeod Fingers of Fury War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami, Florida, USA. Posts: 2,164 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 1,458 Thanked 1,643 Times in 693 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Well... okay, it went a bit over the $25 but only by like $10 bucks or so. Been meaning to pick up Ca$vertising and Bob Bly's Handbook.. the phrases book was an impulse buy on suggestion.
	Brian McLeod The Warrior Event 2012 - Official Facebook Page Direct Response Copywriting \| Get on my private list immediately...

12-30-2009, 01:01 PM	#2
Scott Murdaugh ResultsCopywriting.com War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 916 Thanks: 296 Thanked 600 Times in 218 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... I haven't read "Cashvertising", need to get around to that one. I have Bly's book and it's a pretty solid read. I personally found it a little bit of a dry read, but it has some great info in it. It's pretty comprehensive. I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Cashvertising" when you've read it... Eh, I may just go hop on Amazon now that you've got me thinking about it. As for the third one, I've never read/heard of it. Sounds similar to "Words That Sell", which I've bought and browsed through, yet rarely use. Nice use of a B&N gift card though. -Scott
	Done-For-You Offline Client Attraction System By Top Copywriter... How I Consistently Produce Double-Digit Conversion Rates For My Copywriting Clients...

12-30-2009, 01:06 PM	#3
Ross Bowring Cash Creating Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Philadelphia, USA Posts: 722 Thanks: 588 Thanked 637 Times in 220 Posts Social Networking	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Cashvertising is a great book. Written with great energy. The "nifty fifty" restaurant Drew talks about a lot is on the way past my in-laws in North Philly. Good purchase, Brian.
	PLUS... X-Rated Copywriting Secrets EXPOSED.

12-30-2009, 01:12 PM	#4
ghyphena HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 170 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 16 Thanked 60 Times in 38 Posts Contact Info	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Ca$hvertising is absolutely amazing, given the size and price of the book. It's aimed (I think) at small business owners, but it nonetheless lays out all the elements of good copy succinctly and coherently. The book is divided up into "Consumer Psychology Principles" and "Ad-Agency Secrets". Chapters are short and very readable. Like a condensed version of a $1,000 copywriting course, really. It also mentions heuristics, which I've rarely seen discussed in any copywriting book/course. Brownie points.
	Gil-Ad Schwartz

12-30-2009, 03:12 PM	#6
Scott Murdaugh ResultsCopywriting.com War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 916 Thanks: 296 Thanked 600 Times in 218 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Okay, "Cashvertising"... $10 on Amazon, 100% 5 star reviews and recommended by you guys, it's in the mail. Thanks for helping me cross another "must read" off of my list, looking forward to checking it out. -Scott
	Done-For-You Offline Client Attraction System By Top Copywriter... How I Consistently Produce Double-Digit Conversion Rates For My Copywriting Clients...

12-30-2009, 03:46 PM	#7
matthewd Licensing Pro War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 838 Thanks: 92 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Social Networking	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Looks like I'm headed to Border's tomorrow!

12-30-2009, 04:20 PM	#8
daddyoh Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oregon, USA. Posts: 1,640 Thanks: 105 Thanked 89 Times in 75 Posts Social Networking	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Nice share, Paul! Here's Drew Eric Whitman reading a 15-minute excerpt from "Cashvertising" on Blog Talk Radio: Drew Whitman - Cahvertising 10/12/2009 - Authors Read on Blog Talk Radio Here's his site with another audio and an excerpt from Chapter 2: CA$HVERTISING From Google Books (No Preview Here): Book overview Barely one in a hundred businesspeople know these FACTS about creating powerful advertising: Sixty percent of people read only headlines, Captions under photos get 200 percent greater readership than non-headline copy, Ads with sale prices draw 20 percent more attention, Quadrupling an ad's size doubles its attention value, Four-color ads are up to 45 percent more effective than black and white. New York's biggest ad agencies use these little-known secrets every day to influence people to buy. And now-thanks to Cashvertising-you can, too. These techniques are based on human psychology. They work no matter where you're located, no matter what kind of product or service you sell, and no matter where you advertise. In fact, most don't cost a penny to use. Cashvertising teaches you the tips, tricks, and strategies that top gun copywriters and designers use to persuade people to buy like crazy. No matter what you sell-or how you sell it-this practical book will teach you: How to create powerful ads, brochures, sales letters, Websites, and more, How to make people believe what you say, "Sneaky" ways to persuade people to respond, Effective tricks for writing "magnetic" headlines, The psychology of ad design, positioning, color, and pricing.
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12-30-2009, 07:01 PM	#9
Loren Woirhaye Who'm I kidding? War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Easthampton, Massachusetts Posts: 4,554 Blog Entries: 15 Thanks: 118 Thanked 921 Times in 659 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... I just ordered the "Perfect Phrases" book based on your recommendation, Brian. Thanks. I own "Words That Sell" and while I like it I don't use it much - it's a little abstract for the way I write. I would but Ca$hvertising on my top 5 list for people who want to write their own copy but don't want to work with clients. It's on the top 10 for freelancers definitely, especially for food copy and copy for local businesses.
	HOT! $25,000,000/yr Copywriter's Secret Book—FREE! \| The "Automated Free Traffic Formula" ArticleBot Secrets Revealed! Breakthrough Marketing Blog (+ goodies) CopyWriting Services

12-31-2009, 09:45 AM	#10
Matt James Matthew James O'Connor War Room Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Darkest Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 506 Thanks: 117 Thanked 88 Times in 53 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Another "thumbs up" for Ca$hvertising here. Drew is also worth a follow on Twitter, he dishes out some copy gems now and again.
	Diary of a 7-Figure Copywriter Infomercial Veteran Turned Copywriter Wants To Explode Your Sales...Delicious Sales Copy

01-01-2010, 05:13 PM	#11
Johnny12345 John Palmieri, Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Posts: 797 Thanks: 134 Thanked 118 Times in 94 Posts	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Drew Eric Whitman tends to cut right to the chase. No fluff. No filler. I like that. Ca$hvertising is absolutely top notch. Buy it, if you haven't already. Johnny

01-01-2010, 10:10 PM	#12
Jag82 Create More Value War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Small World Posts: 1,108 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 371 Thanked 543 Times in 154 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Brian, You post makes me feel like yanking my wallet out and rushing down to Borders to get the titles you mention. I heard a lot of good things about Cashvertising. And after being exposed to so much of Bob Bly's ads, I'm sure his copywriter handbook will be a great read too. Much more power to you! Jag

01-02-2010, 08:49 AM	#13
Woody C Looking for Clarity War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: VA Posts: 600 Thanks: 57 Thanked 133 Times in 95 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How I spent my $25 B&N gift card... Ca$hvertising is a must for any marketer and/or copywriter. Drew is a very informative, nice, and intelligent guy. I used to talk with him all the time on Twitter, and even did a video review of Ca$hvertising on Amazon. I haven't read either of the two other books, but I'll put them on my to-read list and get to them soon.