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What's your recommendation for learning copywriting?

by scottcunningham
23 replies
I want to learn how to write good copy.

What is your recommendation on how to get the best education?

So far, I've picked up a few books, but was thinking about investing in a course.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Scott
#copywriting #learning #recommendation
  • Profile picture of the author maxfactor
    American Writers and Artists Inc. Their Six-Figure Copywriting course is kind of steep, but it's really indepth.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
    IMHO no course beats finding great copy and dissecting it yourself for how each word and sentence forwards the sale. That did more for me than any course. I met the top Italian-language direct response copywriter yesterday and he and I agreed on this, so it must be true.

    --- Ross
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  • Profile picture of the author feelthetraffic
    Honestly, just read more. Read sales pitches, analyze sales pitches. Im not talking about the garbage ones you see every day, im talking high quality pitches.
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  • Profile picture of the author ReferralCandy
    Write.

    Pick products at random and then come up with your own copy ideas, then compare them against the copy of top performing brands. Study the differences carefully.

    Volunteer to improve the copy of non-profits and charities, and build a portfolio. Start a blog and write regularly. Revisit older blogposts and indentify whatever it is that you dislike.

    You want to develop a good taste for good copy, and that requires heavy consumption, careful analysis and lots and lots of practice.
    Signature

    Measure, manage and incentivize customer referrals with ReferralCandy.

    PS: Looking to get more repeat customers for a physical store? Check out CandyBar's digital loyalty cards!

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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Bad Idea:
      1. Surf the web and read every blog post, forum post and
      free e-book you can find.

      Okay Idea:
      2. Read books.

      Good Idea:
      3. Buy a course.

      Best Idea:
      4. Find a good mentor.

      Alex
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      • Profile picture of the author fxprofitmountain
        Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

        Bad Idea:

        Best Idea:
        4. Find a good mentor.

        Alex
        I second that... I have learned much more by having a true pro rip my copy than I ever did reading books and watching videos...

        Although you have to be an ok copywriter to get your mentor to agree to allow you to work for him in the first place...

        so it makes sense to build up the baby muscles first before trying to lock down a mentor...

        Just a suggestion.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tinkerbell
    Absolute Best Idea:
    5. Learn People.

    Tina
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author scottcunningham
    I just bought John Carlton's freelance copy writing course. Excited about getting started!
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  • Profile picture of the author Glenn@AllGoodCopy
    Check out John Forde's Copywriter's Round Table for some good theory.

    But also sign up for as many emails as possible and try to read a sales letter a day.
    Signature
    Discover more than twenty PROVEN conversion booster tactics...

    Get access to EXCLUSIVE videos on how to fix broken copy...

    And schedule a one-on-one PERSONALISED copy critique. Find out more.
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    1) Build a swipe file of the 10 best selling letters in a niche that interests you
    2) Print it out
    3) Invest an hour a day for the next 12 months into rewriting those letters by hand
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author jazbo
    Copyblogger free ebooks are good.

    This is a very good free ebook from a professional writer (not me!)

    Free Copywriting Ebook | "Think Like a Copywriter"

    If you read one book, make it "Influence".
    Signature
    CONTENT WRITER. Reliable, UK-Based, 6 Years Experience - ANY NICHE
    Click Here For Writing Samples & Online Ordering
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  • Profile picture of the author alauddinku
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
      Originally Posted by alauddinku View Post

      I don't know if you have come across them already but they have a lot here. You can learn different things about copywriting. They have ebooks, seminars, articles, and forums.

      Good luck!
      lol. Yes, but if someone asks you...

      "Where can I find some diamonds?"

      ...and you tell them...

      "Oh, they're all over! Just go to that minefield over there and start digging! Sure, there's a land mine about every ten feet and you might get your leg blown off...and you'll have almost NO way to determine where the mines are and where the diamonds are, but keep digging!"

      ...well, that's not such good advice for a newbie.
      Signature
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      • Profile picture of the author Iale
        Originally Posted by scottcunningham View Post

        I just bought John Carlton's freelance copy writing course. Excited about getting started!
        I have that too. I find that it's a very good resource - easy to understand, easy to follow. That's where the "If... then" opening and the use of "stars" in your letters got ingrained in my mind.

        Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

        1) Build a swipe file of the 10 best selling letters in a niche that interests you
        2) Print it out
        3) Invest an hour a day for the next 12 months into rewriting those letters by hand
        Many masters of copywriting have actually given "a version" of this advice. For me, it's well worth it. I'm almost certain you will have the same conclusion too.

        Well, just to add to the process, here are some tips so you don't get overwhelmed:

        1. Do your re-writing one letter at a time. While re-writing "that particular letter (of the week or month)" never mind the others first. This gives your brain some space.

        2. Read the letter first before you re-write.

        3. When investing an hour a day re-writing, make sure to make that an "un-interrupted" hour. This helps your brain assimilate more of the letter subconsciously. You'll also be able to do more.

        4. If (and only if) you find yourself feeling lazy... start by re-writing headline swipes instead to get your engines hot.

        This is it for now.

        Good luck and have fun writing!

        ~ Dexter Paglinawan

        P.S. You can also check my signature below :-)
        Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author SEOJunky
    Read the Gary Halbert letters, all of which you'll find online.
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    • Profile picture of the author Enfusia
      Be a copywriter not a copy copier.

      Never use a swipe file write every word yourself. Do you REALLY think the top dogs put their best stuff out there for you to swipe?

      Do you know the numbers (conversions ect) on the piece you're swiping? No you don't, it could have converted like crap and you're swiping it. Then you swipe 10 pieces to build your letter etc. and you have no idea how well any of that converted.

      If you never write your own copy how are you supposed to get better, you're never actually doing anything.

      And always write the best copy you've ever written in your life each and every time. This of course forces you to get better fast.

      Yes, I know there will be those that say "you can't write without swipes". To them I say horse pucky, I do it all day every day.

      Patrick
      Signature
      Free eBook =>
      The Secret To Success In Any Business
      Yes, Any Business!
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      • Profile picture of the author DavidG
        Originally Posted by Enfusia View Post

        ...

        And always write the best copy you've ever written in your life each and every time. This of course forces you to get better fast.

        ...
        Great advice.

        I also agree with your swipe file bit... but generally people who do know how to swipe, do it for those small ideas that could make things happen.
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        • Profile picture of the author ContentWritingPartner
          1. Read about writing copy from the copywriting greats - Carlton, Halbert etc.

          2. Read other people's copy. Understand it. Ask why they do the things they do. Ask yourself if you think it works or not and why. And how you could improve it.

          3. Write your own copy. Even if it's not for a client, write copy. Then re-write it. And re-write it again.

          Learning to write copy is like learning a sport. Reading about it is a start, but you still have to practice in order to be able to do it. The way to learn how to write copy is to write copy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marian Berghes
    The Gary Halbert Letter

    one of the best ways I ever found...might seem weird for some people to write good sales letters/ads by hand every day, but trust me...when your done, you will see a big difference in how you write copy.

    Also, from my experience it's better to focus on 1-2 good copywriters, because almost every copywriter has a different style and a different process that he goes trough when he writes copy. So find one that you can learn from, practice, and make your own process after.
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