9 replies
I have been here 3 years and this is the first time I have posted in this section. Weird, but probably why I am asking....

Can anyone recommend me a decent copywriting source for education? Books, course etc?

I have avoided anything writing related for way to long, but one of my businesses is going good...but lacking in the copy department. I know I can outsource this, and I may, but it is something that I would like to at least understand more of before I begin outsourcing.

Thanks,
keith
#advice
  • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
    Just buy this one book... for a complete beginners guide...

    How To Write A Good Advertisement... by Vic Schwab

    Amazon.com: How to Write a Good Advertisement...Amazon.com: How to Write a Good Advertisement...

    Hope this helps.

    Ross
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  • Profile picture of the author ghyphena
    Bencivenga Bullets - Marketing Bullets
    The Gary Halbert Letter - Untitled Document
    Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins - Claude Hopkins Scientific Advertising
    Brian Keith Voiles on headlines - Killer Copy by Brian Keith Voiles

    The non-free:
    Joseph Sugerman's Adweek Copywriting Handbook - you should be able to pick it up on Amazon for around $20 (I paid $21.95 in a Borders in Manhattan).
    I think Ca$hvertising by Drew Eric Whitman is a pretty good and usually overlooked resource - again, should be on Amazon for $15-$20.

    There are plenty of other high quality books, courses etc but these should be a good start.

    Gil-Ad
    Signature

    Gil-Ad Schwartz

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  • Profile picture of the author katiepanton
    Hi Keith,

    - Hypnotic writing by Joe Vitale
    - The Ultimate Sales letter by Dan Kennedy
    are fantastic copywriting books. What's important is that you study different copywriters to get the basics understood, but develop your own style of writing that feels natural to you and portrays your own personality. By making your copy personal it becomes relatable to the reader because they catch glimpses of your personality, and people buy from who they like. It's much warmer than a standard letter with no character!
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
      Okay, someone else PM'ed me and told me they thought I was giving Keith some "weak-a$$ advice". They're entitled to their opinion, but my original post had more to do with being pressed for time but still wanting to give a short answer rather than no answer at all.

      I'll share some of my favorite recommended copywriting reading.

      Again, these are the people who write copy that I enjoy reading and want to learn from. All of them offer really good free content... but their paid products are pure gold or even platinum. You won't get their paid products for cheap, but you'll get exponential value IMHO for every dollar that you're paying.

      In no particular order of preference:

      Michel Fortin - anything he shares about copywriting is rock-solid. His paid products are even better. I own all of his paid products.

      Doug D'Anna - the only thing missing from his A-List newsletter is a price tag. Doug doesn't publish much but when he does, it's great content. His clients pay him $50K plus royalties per project... so obviously, writing a free ezine takes a lower priority for his work time.

      Clayton Makepeace - Thanks to winning Clayton's contest last year and what I had bought before, I pretty much own everything that Clayton sells. I would recommend any of his paid write better copy-related products.

      John Carlton - Go with his Simple Writing System. At this time, you also get (as a bonus) one of his most popular copywriting courses which sells for $300-400 by itself. SWS does a great job of breaking down alot of the core fundamentals like U.S.P. that 95% of other products ignore or gloss over.

      For the light in the pocket, aspiring copywriters...

      If you're looking at picking up copywriting education on the cheap, then grab Dan Kennedy's Ultimate Sales Letter and John Caples Tested Advertising Methods. Joe Sugarman's Adweek Copywriting Handbook is another one that I frequently recommend. Study all 3 of them... practice the exercises they give you and you should have a good copywriting foundation to build upon.

      Hope that helps,

      Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Originally Posted by Keith Boisvert View Post

    I have been here 3 years and this is the first time I have posted in this section. Weird, but probably why I am asking....

    Can anyone recommend me a decent copywriting source for education? Books, course etc?

    I have avoided anything writing related for way to long, but one of my businesses is going good...but lacking in the copy department. I know I can outsource this, and I may, but it is something that I would like to at least understand more of before I begin outsourcing.

    Thanks,
    keith
    Hi Keith,

    This is a great attitude to have that's lacking in a lot of
    business owners. You don't have to be a Jack of all
    trades or try to spread yourself to thinly, but it's always
    good to know about a very important part of your
    business even if you don't plan to do the work yourself.

    After you've studied those recommended books you'll
    be a better judge about how to choose a copywriter
    to work with or become your own copywriter in the
    process--who knows?

    Only yesterday I was doing some reading on programming
    so I could make a good choice of a programmer for a
    project I have in mind. I won't become a programmer
    overnight, but at least I could sound intelligent when
    I communicate with one.

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