The Best Copywriting Resource in the world

[keithakin]

I have realized that copywriting is where the money is made.

I am fairly new to internet marketing.

Therefore, I want you guys to shoot me your best copywriting resource in the world, whether it be a book I can buy, a software product to help write sales copy, a course, whatever the resource may be.

I have a definite interest in learning about great copywriting for my future ventures.

And I greatly appreciate the help I receive here from the WF!

Thanks in advance for all your replies!

[Loren Woirhaye]

The top free ones are:

Makepeace Total Package
Bencivenga Bullets
The Gary Halbert Letter archives

If you are just starting out I advise you become
familiar with the rudiments of copy and marketing by...
reading classic paper books.

1. How To Write a Good Advertisement
2. Scientific Advertising
3. Advertising Secrets of The Written Word
4. Tested Advertising Methods

there are many more but those are all must reads.

[Alex Cohen]

There are several approaches you could take depending on how you learn best and how much money you have to invest.

1. Learn from the free resources on the web. There's a ton of good stuff out there. Using this method takes longer, however, and requires you to organize the material in your mind yourself.

2. Buy a few copywriting books and learn from them. For around $100, you can learn the craft. I don't recommend reading the older books, because the newer ones repeat the core principles and teach in the modern vernacular.

3. Buy a copywriting course from one of the online copywriting gurus. Prices for decent courses are in the $500 - $1,000 range.

4. Find a successful copywriter who mentors. This is the highest priced option, but if you can afford it, the best.

Alex

[erinwrites]

Pay attention to the responses on the Warrior Forum when others ask for their copy to be critiqued There are plenty of books out there, a visit to your local library will prove that, but if you really want to learn, learn from the people you can communicate with (like the people here) who can offer you real feedback on your work.

I've learned quite a bit just by lurking! (Which sounds creepy)

[keithakin]

I want to thank you guys for your comments!

I still haven't decided if I want to take on the task of writing my own copy or just hiring it out to be done.

Thanks again for your knowledge!

[zapseo]

I think an absolutely OUTSTANDING place to start is by joining John Ritsokowitz' Copywriters-Toolkit . (Yes, I am an affiliate -- but I'm an affiliate because I think it's an awesome product. If you'd like to get it through my affiliate link, drop me a pm.)

Now --why do I say this?

Well...for instance -- this is actually John's own "private reserve". That is, it's a site he uses for himself. So, as for all the cool free resources for copywriting on the web -- John has them listed in the Toolkit. for instance -- one no one's listed so far is Michael Senoff's hardtofindads.com

He's got tools -- some which are exclusive to CT.

In fact, you can read about some of the tools in my review of Copywriter's Toolkit, here: NextDay-Copy — Copywriting — Words, Triggers, Resources & Software Blog Archive Power Your Sales — Copywriter’s Toolkit

I have 3 different pieces of software to use to help me generate headlines (and 1 to analyze them, glyphius, which is in a different class). Of those 3 pieces of software, by far, John's headline generator is the most powerful, most helpful, most useful.

I know, because I used it to help me come up with headlines when hired to do so. And I tried using all 3 pieces of software. And the one in the Toolkit won hands' down. (And he keeps updating things, too -- making them better, more powerful, etc.) And I made my money back -- I more than made back the money I paid for Copywriters-Toolkit with that one assignment.

So -- actually -- LOL, I should recommend this to more folks. It just occurred to me, the way you asked the question, triggered in my mind that it's a great place to start learning about copy.

There's a lot more to the toolkit than I've described here, or even than I've described in my 2-part review, here: NextDay-Copy — Copywriting — Words, Triggers, Resources & Software Blog Archive Power Your Sales — Copywriter’s Toolkit

Incidentally, even if you hire out copy, it's helpful for you to learn something about copywriting.

Hope this helps.

Live JoyFully!

Judy Kettenhofen, Profit Strategist/Copywriter
NextDay Copy

[keithakin]

Yes! This does help!

I appreciate your willingness to state up front that it is an affiliate program too.

I love when people are just straight up about it. Because to me, if the products really are a great value to the buyer, then why would anyone need to hide the fact that they will get a commission?

Real estate agents and car salesmen don't hide the fact that they are going to get a cut - so why do online marketers work so hard to hide this bit of information?

I did love that about your post to me! And yes, I would like to receive your affiliate link!

[Darken]

thanks for sharing the great info!

[Loren Woirhaye]

here's another good resource:
Info Marketing Blog | Where the "Old School" Rules...

Since you are in the self-improvement niche you'll
want to look at the long tradition of copywriting
in that area. Some of the ads shared on that
blog up there are classics of the genre.

[Loren Woirhaye]

here's another good resource:
Info Marketing Blog | Where the "Old School" Rules...

Since you are in the self-improvement niche you'll
want to look at the long tradition of copywriting
in that area. Some of the ads shared on that
blog up there are classics of the genre.

[cnwoods]

There's a free call going on in 40m on ustream (so may be available later, not sure) with 3 of the big names - Mark Joyner, Ted Nicholas & Joe Sugarman. I know Mike Filsaime is going to be on it too. simple·ology | The Simple Science of Getting What You Want (sorry, got abbreviated through twitter)

Learning heaps just from the pre-call chat!

Crystal

[John M Kane]

Names I don't see mentioned are Craig Garber and Benjamin Hart.
Both offer some fascinating copy learning goods.
Craig tutored with the late great Prince of Print Sir Gary of Halbert.
Not affl

[AndrewCavanagh]

What is best will depend very much on where you're at and what you need to learn at the moment.

I would also suggest you check out Michael Senoff's www.hardtofindads.com
and all the 31 hours of free audio with copywriting masters at How To Master The Art And Science Of Writing Ads And Sales Letters!

The resources already mentioned in this thread are fantastic too of course.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

P.S. Check the copywriting blog in my signature too...

[echievements]

First, just write! Put something in print. Test...edit...test...edit...test...and when you have reasonable results, move on to the next project.

Read wisely and broadly.

Search your local library's consortium for books.

Here are two on my desk:

The Well-Fed Self-Publisher by Peter Bowerman

Copywriting Business by Steve Slaunwhite
Slaunwhite provides 3/4 pages of resources (on and off line)

Buy this one:

On Writing Well by William Zinsser

Finally, write! Writers receive energy from a necessary and inherent compulsion to write. The writer finds joy when stringing words together. If the joy is not there, hire someone to do your copy, and just keep doing what you love.

When writing, I get a kick out of expression.

I've always believed that we learn when researching, thinking, dreaming, and writing.

Most likely no ones coming back to read these comments, but they were fun to write.

[zapseo]

Originally Posted by keithakin

Yes! This does help!

I appreciate your willingness to state up front that it is an affiliate program too.

I love when people are just straight up about it. Because to me, if the products really are a great value to the buyer, then why would anyone need to hide the fact that they will get a commission?

Real estate agents and car salesmen don't hide the fact that they are going to get a cut - so why do online marketers work so hard to hide this bit of information?

I did love that about your post to me! And yes, I would like to receive your affiliate link!

Dang. I get a verbal thanks, but no "thanks" button (like the other contributors)...I think my feelings are hurt, LOL. (j/k). Thanks for asking, Keith.

[wwtactical]

I think practicing and writing is going to help more than any book or course. Try and focus on writing as efficiently as possible and from there you can add little pieces of flare to spice up and better express your intent. Also, frankly, reading good literature is probably more likely to help you than these cheesy self help books.

[Collette]

Some excellent suggestions have already been made above. However...

The Best Copywriting Resource in the World

- doesn't cost you a dime
- you can't learn it from a book or a course
- it won't be found in a swipe file
- you won't get it through any kind of seminar, and
- you already own it.

Because the BEST copywriting resource in the world is...

your ears.

Learn to listen to what people are saying. Really LISTEN. The way most people don't really listen.

You see, most of us are too busy formulating the answers to tell people what WE think they need to solve their problem - instead of listening.

So we don't hear them when they tell us what they want. We don't hear them when they tell us what's REALLY important to them, what really matters to them (hint: it's not the big house, the fancy car, the posh vacation, or the fat bank account).

We don't hear them when they tell us their deepest fears, their triumphs, or their joys. We don't know what makes them laugh. And we don't know what makes them cry.

We don't - in fact - know them at all.

We just assume we do.

However, when we really listen we hear beyond the words. We set aside our own assumptions, presumptions, and ego. And when we do, we hear extraordinary human stories disguised behind ordinary words.

Listening like this is a skill that most people never bother to learn. But every master copywriter has it. Learn to listen - really listen - to people, and the rest is gravy.

[zapseo]

Beautiful writing Collette. And I agree with you...to a point.

I think there's one thing missing...

I don't think people really know what it means to "really listen".

And losing one's ego can sound scary.

It wasn't until my early 30s that I learned two words that profoundly changed my world and skyrocketed my understanding of how very different we can see the world from one another. One was "presupposition", and the other was "epistemology".

There are lots of "shoe horns" that can help folks ease into the model of someone else's world -- an elementary one is "active listening".

But that doesn't mean it can't still be free. Lots of excellent material on communication out there (although it's super-helpful to have a partner to explore the world of communications with) -- available for free at the library, or inter-library loan.

Live JoyFully!

Judy Kettenhofen, Profit Strategist/Copywriter
NextDay Copy

[Norma Holt]

There is a lot of very good advice and articles but the place to really start is by reading copy and making notes on the points that stand out. What is its aim? What is it selling, if anything, How striking are the headlines? What are the keywords embedded and how does the author make best use of them? And so on.

Reading what others advise is great but nothing can compare to actually doing a writing course with a qualified teacher. I did that years ago and then did a correspondence Jounalism Course. That was before doing my degree and believe me writing essays is also copy writing. A good essay requires talent and good writing skills.

Don't be afraid to do course and to write, write, write everyday. You never know you might end up with a book or two.

[zapseo]

Norma,

I'm going to take a bit of an exception to what you say.

And here's why:

Essay writing definitely is used to put forward an idea. As my dad, an optometrist, used to say: "There's one profession we're all in: sales."

However, the approach of the essay is not embued with the same concern about emotional triggers, readers desires, and, especially, in direct response copy -- getting the reader to take an action.

I would say that, perhaps, the major difference would be that most essayists use more rational appeals.

Copywriters know (and it's even confirmed by science -- thanks to those cute fMRI machines) that buying decisions are based upon emotion. People then back up those emotional decisions with logic.

Unfortunately, the more and more scientists learn about how we think, the more they discover how wildly IRRational we are. The imprint of early experience can counter a ton of evidence to the contrary.

That's perhaps the PRIMARY difference. But there are also a number of other differences as well, dealing with the special things that are necessary as part of copy, such as calls-to-action, testimonials, buy buttons, PS's and more.

Writing...good writing. Well, what makes up "good writing"? Who decides? What is the criteria used? With direct response "good writing" is defined as the writing which gets the user to respond. Period. End of subject.

Writing, as a discipline, has much to recommend it. Thinking logically, carrying out a logical argument, concern about flow -- all wonderful things. However, I can equally say that many comp sci folks also have a handy set of thinking skills that, while different from those of writers, can also be helpful in writing copy. Some of that has to do with an increased sensitivity to how weighty a single word can be; understanding "nested loops", and "chunking" information.

That's not to say that copywriters cannot benefit from formal writing training -- but copy is rarely "formal" in any sense of the word.

Live JoyFully!

Judy

[TianYan]

Decent! I believe all the great stuff has been shared.
What about subscriptions to magazines from Boardroom,
Rodale Press, Agora and others?

One item I would recommend is Obvious Adams which I
just got the habit of studying. Google it and you will find
a copy somewhere in cyberspace.

Scientific Advertising is one document that the masters
study continuously. I heard Jay Abraham requires his employees
to read it 9 times before working with him. Drayton Bird read it
40+ times on several occasions... which reminds me, time to flip
it through again...

Be Well,
- Tian Yan

[Phil Coleman]

I agree with Loren on his first choice: Clayton Makepeace Total Package.

Fantastic resource. I look forward to each and every email, as the quality of the info is top notch.

Don't forget to start a swipe file. You can just bookmark every salespage that catches your eye. When it comes to writing your own stuff just refer to the file for ideas to get you started.

[killercopy]

Makepeace Total Package is great to get bits and pieces of good copywriting information.

By far, the greatest resource to me has been Bencivenga 100 Seminar...but you won't be able to touch the DVDs for less than 5K

[Christie Love]

Keith,

The fastest way to learn copywriting is to find a top copywriter and ask them to mentor you. When searching for a mentor your objection is to find one who has a willingness to help others succeed.

The Warrior Forum is a great place to look for copywriters. Once you find a mentor that resonates with you, study everything they know. Become their shadow. Learn all you can from them. Ask them to critique your copy. Review books they suggest.

This process will help you get on track and stay focused.

Fill us in on your progress!

Best!

[TianYan]

Speaking about copywriting resources, I'm trying to locate a book from the 60s by Rooser Reeves. It's out of print. Does anybody know how to get a hold of it?

If anyone could also give resources to public domain copywriting classics, that will really a gold mine for the eagar students here.

Be Well,
- Tian Yan

[killercopy]

Originally Posted by TianYan

Speaking about copywriting resources, I'm trying to locate a book from the 60s by Rooser Reeves. It's out of print. Does anybody know how to get a hold of it?

If anyone could also give resources to public domain copywriting classics, that will really a gold mine for the eagar students here.

Be Well,
- Tian Yan

Here are two great ones that are in the public domain and highly referenced by some of the world's top marketers:

1. Tested Sentences that Sell by Elmer Wheeler. This is the guy who coined the phrase "sell the sizzle--not the steak"

The book is online here:
http://stoneruniversity.com/TestedSentences/index.html

2. Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins. This is the book that David Olgivy, Ted Nicholas swear by.

the book is online here:
Scientific Advertising Table of Contents - By Claude Hopkins - Free Full Text Online

These are great starts and will give a new copywriter a solid foundation...

[zapseo]

Originally Posted by TianYan

Speaking about copywriting resources, I'm trying to locate a book from the 60s by Rooser Reeves. It's out of print. Does anybody know how to get a hold of it?

If anyone could also give resources to public domain copywriting classics, that will really a gold mine for the eagar students here.

Be Well,
- Tian Yan

Tian,

That's why I recommend John Ritskowitz's Copywriter's Toolkit. Because he has assimilated all that information in one place. If I recall correctly, it initially started out as John's own private reserve -- his own personal collection of links and resources to copywriting information on the web. And then epanded from there.

Live JoyFully!

Judy

[Li Weng]

The resources are good, but another very good way to learn is to read the salesletters from hot products in the marketplace. You should check out the sales copy of top internet marketing. Learning from the best is the way to go.

[Eric Johnson]

THE best two books you can get to start are classics and recommended reading by any top copywriter. Start with these and you will be doing fine.

How to Write a Good Advertisement from Overstock.com

The Adweek Copywriting Handbook from Overstock.com

These books will be all you need for a while and you can buy them both for a little over 20 bucks. Stay away from expensive copywriting courses.

[Eric Johnson]

Sorry about the duplicate post.

[spressnell]

Wow, this forum has so much awesome info. I am also a newbie and am grateful for the info. on copywriting.

[precious007]

I`m always looking to improve my writing skills. Copy-writing does pay off big time, people are making thousands out there, with a little experience and knowledge anyone can be earning a full-time income writing.

Cheers

[homejobcreator]

Thank your for posting this list - it will be useful for me as well!

[vuedoolor]

All you need is Yanik silver

[gjabiz]

Start here:

Matthew 27:17

Then THINK about that passage.

OK. You want to be a copywriter. Here's how to get the most up to date, recent, and effective education you can.

Get your Sunday paper with all the ads in them. Go through and pull out all the Direct Response ads, any ad that asks you to send them money.

Once you have ALL the ads in front of you, get ONLINE and research the companies, you'll find several BIG names, like the Bradford Exchange or the Franklin Mint for example.

Then start to BUY the things you see. Instead of spending a 1000 bux on a course, invest that money into product. PRODUCT that is being sold currently.

What will happen is you will start to receive promotions in your mail box. Some of these are CONTROLS for products that have sold into the millions of dollars. Open every envelope carefully, and read it, then reinsert it in the order it was sent. THAT is important. But you want to begin to LOOK at the headlines, how the offer is constructed, what do you have to do to ORDER.

You can order a lot of product for just a few hundred dollars and the EDUCATION you will receive is current, not some esoteric knowledge from half a century ago.

You want to look at what is WORKING TODAY, right now. You learn about continuity programs, how they make it easy for you to order, what the back-ends are...all of this has been written by a copywriter.

Go to the library and your book store and spend a couple of hours pouring through magazines that have direct response ads in them...compare them with editions of last month all the way back for a year. IF you run across an ad that has been running for a year or more, you have a promotion you want to copy and study.

Study from success. Study what works.

And write every day, start with a letter to a family member or friend.

And while you're in Proverbs read the "success" passages...but also note the more extended meanings, as with the one I gave you above. THINK through the process involved. And if you can do that with Mt 27:17

then you can do it with what is working in TODAY'S world too.

The fast track is to become a consumer in the area you most want to write in...and get every piece of mail and every ad in every newspaper or magazine you can.

gjabiz

[MikeHumphreys]

I'll share a few of the pointers I frequently share with others. These are based on my opinion, so take it as such.

1. Find copywriters that you enjoy reading their writing style and study their work. Ideally someone who writes the way you wish you think you could write IF you were to learn their style of writing.

2. Best free resources... I won't put links for the ones that have been already mentioned:

Michel Fortin http://www.michelfortin.com
Clayton Makepeace - Makepeace Total Package
Doug D'Anna Welcome to Doug D'Anna.com
Gary Halbert newsletter

3. Best paid books

Tested Advertising Methods - John Caples
Ultimate Sales Letter - Dan Kennedy
Adweek Copywriter Handbook - Joe Sugarman
On the Art of Writing Copy - Hershel Gordon Lewis

4. Best paid courses (My opinion)

Copywriter Protege Program - Carl Galletti
Simple Writing System - John Carlton
Kick-Ass Copywriting Secrets of a Marketing Rebel - John Carlton

5. Best membership site to learn copywriting for beginners

Ray L. Edwards - Learn Copy

6. Best membership site for experienced copywriters to hone their skills

Michel Fortin - The Copy Doctor

Hope that helps,

Mike

[Michael G Perry]

Keith,

Went to your website and responded to your request..

[Nick Doyle]

Try www.GrillMyCopy.com ... it brushes up on copywrighting skill and helps you boost conversions.

[MaskedMarketer]

Originally Posted by keithakin

I have realized that copywriting is where the money is made.

Don't forget about marketing! Marketing is the ultimateleverage in your business. Copywriting/ salesletters can be a part of your marketing strategy....

Originally Posted by zapseo

Norma,

Essay writing definitely is used to put forward an idea. As my dad, an optometrist, used to say: "There's one profession we're all in: sales."

However, the approach of the essay is not embued with the same concern about emotional triggers, readers desires, and, especially, in direct response copy -- getting the reader to take an action.

I would say that, perhaps, the major difference would be that most essayists use more rational appeals.

You're right, we're all in sales and we are always selling. An essay is different form of writing, but is also selling. The selling of the idea that you mentioned.

You're definitely correct in saying essay writers don't normally write like a copywriter and that they use more rational, left brain tactics, but a skillful copy writer can write an essay using more left and right brain tactics to close the sale.

Both hemispheres should to be acknowledged, whatever type of communication methods are being used, if you want that desired result or out come.

All communication should have a desired result or outcome- essay or salesletter you still need to satisfy the prospect. A skillful copy writer could probably write a better essay (or learn to quickly) than an essay writer could write or learn to write a salesletter.

Either way- persuasion is needed and logic and emotions should be there, when communicating.

When you understand the foundation of effective, persuasive communication, you can do it (or learn to practically instantly) in any type of media or way. Writing, audio, videos, speaking, sales letters, articles, essay, are all a form of communication.

[Li Weng]

I wouldn't say copywriting is where money is made. But it is however an integral part of your marketing strategy. It's a combination of many things that makes money for your online business.

[MisterEThoughts]

What a beautiful post. Thank you all for sharing, such valuable information.

[RareGoodStuff]

Copywriting is not really, where money is or could be made. But it does help a bit to put a few sentences together.

This blog, copyblogger.com could be of significant value to you. I find it highly resourceful for me. I gain nothing by recommending this blog.

I don't know the owner and have no accrued interest as a result of this recommendation.

Good luck in your business.

[MontelloMarketing]

Wow phon... you realize there are far better courses out there... for far less money. Heck... the Victor Schwab book is better than AWAI and it's $14.

[educationist09]

Apart from learning through other's writing skills, start writing on your own. be your own master and review your every article weekly and then climb one ladder at a time. I am sure by reading stuff written by others and simultaneously upgrading your writing technique too, you will learn faster and will become pro quickly... in no time.

[HervinBalfour]

Originally Posted by Christie Love

Keith,

The fastest way to learn copywriting is to find a top copywriter and ask them to mentor you. When searching for a mentor your objection is to find one who has a willingness to help others succeed.

Best!

That is honestly the way that I want to go but finding someone like that has been like pulling hen's teeth.

[Collette]

Originally Posted by HervinBalfour

That is honestly the way that I want to go but finding someone like that has been like pulling hen's teeth.

Hervin - I know there are a quite a few paid mentoring programs available. Are you saying that you're having trouble finding someone who will mentor you for free?

It's not impossible to find "free" mentoring. I was mentored "for free" by a (for real) A-list copywriter. And I use the quotation marks around "for free" because it cost me nothing in dollars and cents - but I paid a lot in time.

Don't get me wrong - I loved every minute of it. This guy is brilliant, and I got a million-dollar education in exchange for a year of gruelling sweat-equity.

So the opportunities are out there, but the question is, "What do YOU bring to the table? What can YOU offer, of value, in exchange for your mentor's investment of time and diverted focus?"

Finding a mentor, is like proposing marriage. To have the least chance of being accepted by someone worthy, you simply MUST bring value to the proposition. Yet this is something that, it seems, few people consider when they look for "free" mentoring.