How The Salvation Army Can Help a Load In Copywriters Rear (Pocket)

[AdmiralGloom]

So while doing my usual rounds at the thrift store yesterday I said, "Oh, what the hell I'll check out the book section"...

Now usually these are filled with crappy romance novels and 15 copies of both Tim Allen's autobiographies. But I found some gold.

I found the "financial/business section" which was about a 2 foot length on the bookshelf. Looking through them all they were mostly on how to start a small business or how to do your own taxes. But the near the end I found 5 college style books.

Removing them from the shelves they all happened to be college text books on marketing!

Now, I don't know if it was dumb luck or what, but I'm just sayin...

It's worth a look.

Edit: Should probably note they were $3.50 a piece.

[Hugh Thyer]

The more College/University textbooks removed from shelves the better.

[Ross James]

I agree with the above post they will teach you a lot of theory but really, that's about it, you'll have to figure out how to use it. All of my marketing books from college left out direct marketing almost entirely and focused more on statistics and other data. nothing I could go out and implement, nothing I could use on the job, they forgot the "how to" part.

Best,

Ross

[arfasaira]

Originally Posted by Ross James

I agree with the above post they will teach you a lot of theory but really that's about it, you'll have to figure out how to use it. All my marketing books from college left out direct marketing almost entirely and focused more on statistics and other data. nothing I could go out and implement, nothing I could use on the job, they forgot the "how to" part.

Best,

Ross

I agree with Ross - a friend of mine just finished a marketing degree and had to come to me for advice when having brochures done for his business!! I couldn't understand why until he told me it's all theory and very little practice.

What I found on Amazon in the marketplace though was a few golden books - Business to Business Direct Marketing by Bob Bly and Commonsense Direct Marketing by Drayton Bird.

Both excellent and cost less than $10.

[Sarah Harvey]

I have found 3-4 books at my local salvation army. Not bad...but usually they have nothing of importance there.

As for Marketing being more theory than practical. It is true... but in the end a person that walks away with a marketing degree, will undoubtedly land the job that most others can only dream of.

[Oxbloom]

Incidentally, if you really want to tap into the public's consciousness, you could do a lot worse than to stock up on those "crappy romance novels."

[MikeHumphreys]

I've gotten some great deals on non-college business books at library book sales.

Probably my favorite find at one of those sales was a paperback copy of Think and Grow Rich that I paid a whopping 50 cents for.

[Bruce Wedding]

I was in Half Price Books today. They had a pristine copy of Ogilvy on Advertising for $7.98. I'd have bought it if I didn't already have 2 copies.

[lacraiger]

those books must be out of date though...

[Pusateri]

Originally Posted by Bruce Wedding

I was in Half Price Books today. They had a pristine copy of Ogilvy on Advertising for $7.98. I'd have bought it if I didn't already have 2 copies.

The Unpublished David Ogilvy is another gem. Mostly memos he sent at Ogilvy and Mather. Its like a conversation with a wise grandfather, who just happens to be one of the greatest admen who ever lived. You can usually find it for under $10.

[Ross James]

Originally Posted by Sarah Harvey

... but in the end a person that walks away with a marketing degree, will undoubtedly land the job that most others can only dream of.

Your post was going well up until this part. I have a marketing degree, it's helped me get a decent paying job but not one other people would dream of having - outside of the jobless.

Ross

[Scott Murdaugh]

but in the end a person that walks away with a marketing degree, will undoubtedly land the job that most others can only dream of.

Not that I have anything against college, but most of the highest paid people I know, copywriters included, didn't graduate from college.

-Scott

[Ross James]

Originally Posted by Scott Murdaugh

Not that I have anything against college, but most of the highest paid people I know, copywriters included, didn't graduate from college.

-Scott

That's because they weren't 'suckers' like myself and let some third-party institution position them in the business world. The most successful are true entrepreneurs, they know where money is in abundance and they go after it.

-Ross

[Mr. Subtle]

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

I've gotten some great deals on non-college business books at library book sales.

Probably my favorite find at one of those sales was a paperback copy of Think and Grow Rich that I paid a whopping 50 cents for.

I love library sales too. A couple of years ago I found a mint copy of Jeff Paul's How You Can Make $4,000.00 A Day, Sitting At Your Kitchen Table, In Your Underwear! for 50 cents.

I see a bookstore on Amazon is selling it for $300.00:

Amazon.com: Used and New: How You Can Make $4,000.00 a Day, Sitting at Your Kitchen Table, in Your Underwear

$277.00 gets my copy (and I'll throw in the free ad that PIKED the book).

[Greg Stack]

It's true so much of it's theory. I took several marketing courses in college and most are no use to me now (as if I can even remember.) There was one course, believe it or not, that included a section dealing with one on one sales , and it was actually decent.

The best course (I was a Communication major) was interpersonal communication which was outstanding and a big help with any field. It also helped me realize that my wife at the time was incapable of communication and reinforced the decision to upgrade her status to ex-wife ... but I digress.

If I were writing a book or a piece on B2B marketing or something similar, those texts might provide a decent source for background info and the like. You can't beat the price either. Thanks for the tip Admiral. BTW, the Sallie is also a great source for Leif Garrett vinyl (humor.)

A tip from me: For some great, ancient marketing genius, go to this link: The Art of Money Getting by P.T. Barnum - Free eBookand download a free, public domain copy of this book. It's a great, fun read, and it's free and PD. (Admiral, if you feel this link is hijacking the thread, please tell me and I will take it down, totally not intending to do that.)

I think I will check out the book section at the SA next time I cruise by there.
Thanks, Admiral.
Greg

[sethczerepak]

Originally Posted by Hugh Thyer

The more College/University textbooks removed from shelves the better.

Hugh, you have elevated yourself to godlike status for this comment.

[DawnMarie]

Those who can't do, teach.
Those who can't teach, write the textbooks.

My first day of business management class, I asked the instructor what businesses he managed. None.

What businesses had he started? None.

What business experience did he have? None.

But he could read a textbook (so could I and every other schmuck!)

Cripes I hated that class.

[Bruce Wedding]

I remember going to business school. They taught buy low, sell high… We used a textbook I paid $110 for. I sold it back for $3