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Best Book On Storytelling?

by Barbara Lennox
14 replies
Any recommendations on the best book to learn storytelling for copywriting?
Any input appreciated.
Thanks.
#book #storytelling
  • Profile picture of the author Harlan
    There are dozens of books on story telling and sales but not a single one on copywriting.

    That's why I created my latest course.

    Some of the books on story telling me be very helpful to you.

    My favorite book is David Gordon's Therapeutic Metaphors but that's a special type of story for change work.

    And do you know what is the most-often missing ingredient in a sales message? It's the sales message that doesn't tell an interesting story. Storytelling . . . good storytelling . . . is a vital component of a marketing campaign. - Gary Halbert
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    Harlan D. Kilstein Ed.D.
    Free NLP Communications Course at http://www.nlpcopywriting.com
    http://overnight-copy.com
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    • Profile picture of the author Barbara Lennox
      Thanks, Harlan.
      Will check out your course.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mr. Subtle
        Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade, and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Story by Peter Guber
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by Barbara Lennox View Post

    Any recommendations on the best book to learn storytelling for copywriting?
    Any input appreciated.
    Thanks.
    It's not a book, but Troy White offers his "Story Selling" course here (not an affiliate link)...

    Story Selling... Troy White Shows You How To Turn Your Stories Into Wealth

    Troy used to write for Clayton Makepeace's prestigious blog when it was active.

    Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author eternalsongbird
    The best books on story telling are-
    1. The Elements of Style, forth edition by Willium Strunk
    2. How To Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less by Milo O. Frank
    3. How to Live On 24 Hours A Day: With the Human Machine(Dover Empower Your Life) by Arnold Bennett.
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  • Profile picture of the author Don Grace
    I have not read this yet but I plan to, go to Amazon to check it out...

    Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence
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    • Profile picture of the author wordwizard
      Wow, there are some great resources here! And I've got a few new reading assignments ;-)

      Thanks so much for sharing the info.

      I have to hang out here more often again! I'm learning so much.
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  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    There are more books on storytelling and other resources here:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...y-telling.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ead-movie.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...rytelling.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...rytelling.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ways-work.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ory-world.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...rytelling.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...rytelling.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...es-letter.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...stole-you.html
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...oman-wins.html
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    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      I recommend THE WRITER'S JOURNEY by Christopher Vogler. He applies the archetypes in Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey to movies. When you learn these archetypes, you can apply them imaginatively in your copywriting.

      Marcia Yudkin
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      Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
    Vin Montello has a free PDF called Seven Story Secrets that you may find useful in copywriting applications:

    http://www.montellomarketing.com/sec...crets-2008.pdf

    David Garfinkel has some good storytelling-in-copywriting information in his templates you can get through fasteffectivecopy.com.

    There is a good post floating around called "The 22 rules of storytelling, according to Pixar."

    Also, a search for "the Hero's Journey" will turn up some useful storytelling structural information.

    If you want to learn about story structure in general, I found Robert McKee's "Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting" to be useful.

    Daniel Levis has a course called "Effortless Influence -- How to Master the Art of The Sales Story" at Effortless Influence -- How to Master the Art of The Sales Story (but it's not inexpensive).

    Having a good grasp on the classic foundations of storytelling (basic elements, structure, and flow) seems to give the most versatility when it comes to copywriting, since the story lengths are usually much shorter than typical books and screenplays.

    There are also psychological and marketing considerations to keep in mind, to help obtain desired outcomes in the storytelling's sales process. This is where knowing the concepts from books like "Cashvertising," "The Brain Audit," or Seth Godin's "All Marketers Are Liars" is useful.

    It's easy to overcomplicate the process of storytelling, but having a clear understanding of the desired objective (overcome objections, make the prospect realize a need, introduce and compare a new type of product, etc.) makes it much easier.

    One of the best advantages of stories (in my opinion) is when properly written, they resonate deeply with people because they are mentally filling in the details with their own experiences and perspectives.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    The Bible.
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    Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
      Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

      The Bible.
      It's a good example of storytelling, but seems short on details about how to use them in copywriting?
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      • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
        Originally Posted by Steve Hill View Post

        It's a good example of storytelling, but seems short on details about how to use them in copywriting?
        Nah.

        Like my catchphrase says:

        Results don't lie.

        The Church is the richest organization in the world.

        If that isn't proof that The Bible has successfully converted, I don't know what is.

        Likewise...

        The fact that millions of people believe one man lived (and died) to absorb all of their sins because of stuff (a.k.a. storytelling) written a long time after he supposedly lived...

        Well...

        That's some brilliant salesmanship, eh?

        In fact...

        The whole idea of sin, heaven and hell or needing to ask for forgiveness from some elusive space god are ALL examples of top notch salesmanship.

        Mark

        P.S. Just like when you write a sales letter, you keep what most effectively persuades your audience and communicates your biggest message (benefit)... and omit the rest. It wasn't God who decided which books to include in The Bible, nor Jesus. It was people; men who had an agenda and desired a specific outcome. Mission. Accomplished.
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        Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

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