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How many times have you read your favorite book on copywriting??

by Nathan Lewis
7 replies
I just finished my second reading of Advertising Secrets of the Written Word" by Sugarman and I'm amazed at how many insights I got this time around. I missed so much the first time through. And the first time through I took detailed notes and have read through those notes several times. I'm going to read it a third time in a few months I think.

What about you guys? Is there a book on copywriting that you read over and over again? How many times? Who's the most obsessive person here?
#book #copywriting #favorite #read #times
  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by Nathan Lewis View Post

    I just finished my second reading of Advertising Secrets of the Written Word" by Sugarman and I'm amazed at how many insights I got this time around. I missed so much the first time through. And the first time through I took detailed notes and have read through those notes several times. I'm going to read it a third time in a few months I think.

    What about you guys? Is there a book on copywriting that you read over and over again? How many times? Who's the most obsessive person here?
    It is a good idea to grab one of pieces in the library, and reread it.

    I end every year with a read of THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS AND SUGGESTION by Milton H. Erickson

    And, TOWARD A PSYCHOLOGY OF BEING by Abraham H. Maslow.

    Then start the New Year with AS A MAN THINKETH by James Allen literally the first thing I read on New Years Day

    And that first week, Les Giblin's HOW TO HAVE CONFIDENCE AND POWER IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE.

    I keep all notes on persuasion, influence and selling on an original copy of Blair Warren's FORBIDDEN KEYS TO PERSUASION, which is always at my fingertips.

    Most other books get a look through now and then.

    gjabiz
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    • Profile picture of the author Nathan Lewis
      Originally Posted by gjabiz View Post

      It is a good idea to grab one of pieces in the library, and reread it.

      I end every year with a read of THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS AND SUGGESTION by Milton H. Erickson

      And, TOWARD A PSYCHOLOGY OF BEING by Abraham H. Maslow.

      Then start the New Year with AS A MAN THINKETH by James Allen literally the first thing I read on New Years Day

      And that first week, Les Giblin's HOW TO HAVE CONFIDENCE AND POWER IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE.

      I keep all notes on persuasion, influence and selling on an original copy of Blair Warren's FORBIDDEN KEYS TO PERSUASION, which is always at my fingertips.

      Most other books get a look through now and then.

      gjabiz
      I never would have thought to read those books. Great post.
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      • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
        Originally Posted by Nathan Lewis View Post

        I never would have thought to read those books. Great post.
        It is based on a premise (which could be wrong, albeit I've had 25 years of success with it)...
        the premise is...

        Copywriting is salesmanship in print (hardly original)

        and that salesmanship is

        Influencing behavior, guiding it toward a predetermined conclusion

        So, it is knowing what you want your target to do...what behavior to do. What action to take.

        This is accomplished by remote means, where the power of person is stripped away. You don't have presence, touch, body language or eye contact to use.

        Remote persuasion is best achieved via words, even in a visual media.

        Therefore a working knowledge of Human Behavior, and the Arts of influence including Rhetoric, Storytelling, Poetry (rhythms, rhyme and cadence) all come into play.

        I encourage all copywriters to at least read

        Lajos Ergi's THE ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING.
        Blake Snyder's SAVE THE CAT.

        Both are "quick" reads with great insight into human behavior.

        Joseph Campbell is good stuff too.

        Understanding behavior is a good foundation to build on as you are studying copywriting techniques.

        But, it is just one premise.

        gjabiz
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  • Profile picture of the author TheOttawaMarketer
    Ive read/listened to Think and Grow Rich at least 100 times, same with See You at the Top and The Secrets of Closing the Sale.

    Although not exclusively copy writing books, the knowledge is indispensable and nearly 100% transferable to ETHICAL copywriting.

    As far as copywriting books go.. I'm on my 2nd read of Breakthrough Advertising(My personal favourite) although one of the most boring reads in my opinion. I will continue reading this book repeatedly for the next year or 2 until I can nearly recite it. Everything else I've only made it through once but would like to add a few more to my regular readings.

    Bless'd is the knowledge contained in books.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by Nathan Lewis View Post

    I just finished my second reading of Advertising Secrets of the Written Word" by Sugarman and I'm amazed at how many insights I got this time around. I missed so much the first time through. And the first time through I took detailed notes and have read through those notes several times. I'm going to read it a third time in a few months I think.

    What about you guys? Is there a book on copywriting that you read over and over again? How many times? Who's the most obsessive person here?
    I'm easily bored and rarely read a copywriting book more than one time. Once I've read one, I consider it a reference to be consulted on specific subjects as the need or desire arises.

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

      I'm easily bored and rarely read a copywriting book more than one time. Once I've read one, I consider it a reference to be consulted on specific subjects as the need or desire arises.

      Alex
      I think that works for you because of how much experience you have. But I think aspiring copywriters would benefit from reading just a few of the great copywriting books and then going through them a second time as opposed to going on to read other books. At least at the beginning.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    I don't systematically reread a copywriting book, but I would scan and read the
    highlights I made from my first reading.

    -Ray Edwards
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    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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