I'm looking to learn copywriting

Daniel,

Some Amazon review said the course was outdated, or DR copywriting is outdated?

I think either one is moronic, personally.
Principles don't have expiration dates.

Anywho, if you're looking to learning copywriting... my personal opinion is to do the following:

1. Read Scientific Advertising & My Life In Advertising by Claude Hopkins before anything else.

2. Read "How to Write A Good Advertisement" by Victor Schwab

3. Find a few ads by guys like Gary Halbert, Gary Bencivenga, John Carlton, Brian Keith Voiles - other hot shots. Either copy them out by hand, or at least study them/dissect them keeping the principles you learn from #1 & #2 in mind.

4. Read Gary Bencivenga's Marketing Bullets, Gary Halbert's Letters, and Clayton Makepeace's ezine.

5. Start reading other books, like The Robert Collier Letterbook, Breakthrough Advertising, Tested Advertising Methods, Cashvertising, and Writing Riches (Ray Edwards).

6. Keep handwritin and/or studying ads daily.

There you have it. Some people might have a different process, but this is pretty much my way. Get familiar with the basics, start critically thinking about those basics, and then branch out (expand on the basics).

Good luck!

Angel

Look for a post in the war room

Amazing Secret Copywriting Strategies of The 15% Conversion Sales Letter!

Human nature and principles of persuasion don't change. What does change is culture and technology. So you can't go wrong learning copywriting from Sugarman and Nicholas.

Rather than read a mish-mash of copywriting books, sales letters, and websites as suggested by the previous poster, it would be far better to take a structured course first. Then after you've learned the basics, studying the other things will be beneficial.

Alex

Copywriting is an essential skill, not just for business, but for life. Even if you have no intention of making a living as a copywriter, it's worthwhile to learn how to communicate more persuasively.
Copywriting is the use of words to sell. Copywriting techniques apply to both the written and the spoken word.
Copywriters write the ads you see in magazines and newspapers, commercials you hear or hear on radio and TV. And nowadays, copywriters also write the web pages and other online copy that tries to persuade us on the 'net.

I would like you to read this book, it is good one and has also received good positive reviews. I hope it gives you what you aim to find in terms of solid grounds on advertising. Best of luck for your learning. And hey, here is the book name "Hitting the Sweet Spot: How Consumer insights Can Inspire Better Marketing and Adv."

Regards,

James

Tell that reviewer to turn in their keyboard and go sit in the back of the class. I'm serious.

Direct response marketing (and copywriting) will be around until the earth stops spinning. The choice of media might change but the techniques used to ethically make the sale won't.

I'm speaking from experience when I say this. I've been writing marketing for my own businesses since 1993 (for copywriting clients since 2006). The core fundamentals I learned and mastered with offline marketing have applied pretty well to the online world too.

And don't write off direct mail either. In 2010, it increased in volume from all of the major mailers and it's still growing in popularity.

I'm not familiar with the course but even if Sugarman and Nicholas "only" taught you direct response marketing, then you'd get a priceless education.

My advice is to start with the course. Then if you're a serious student of the game, you'll study (and put into action) everything else you can get your hands on.

Good luck,

Mike

I teach a writing class for kids and the first question I'll always ask is: What makes you a good writer?

I always get a list of the basic, fundamental answers. However, the answer is YOU!

It's your unique perspectives that give you the foundation to become a GREAT writer. Obviously you need to learn how to structure your thoughts and sentences; you have to grasp where to use punctuation and why... At the end of the day though, having a strong awareness about how you're affected by the world and being clear about your distinct perception is what makes you a powerful writer...

You are highly recommended to study a lot, get books, articles and educational materials related to your website, its niche and commercial fields as much as you can. Fortunately, there is a ton of information to find published on and off the net these days and all you need to do it searching to find them. While reading new stuff, begin writing your articles, use simple phrases, uncomplicated paragraphs structures.

There are also so many reviewing portals online which are moderated by editors who are expert at their jobs, usually having BAs in their careers and knowing how quality materials need to be written and produced. Bookmarking such sites and addresses too could be suggested. Gradually as you write contents, attempt to pick advanced level terms, use synonyms, replace traditional and simple texts with better ones.

Wow.. a host of help, I didn't expect such a strong response.

It's almost brought a tear to my eye :')

Thank you for such invaluable advice, my plan is to focus on the one style of copywriting and try to master it. I'm sticking with direct response copywriting and learning as much as I can in just the one area.

Perhaps specialising in this form may be of beneficial when doing sales copy online.

After finding more out about copywriting, I don't understand why Internet Marketers don't focus on learning this skill before anything else. I have been looking into IM as a hobbie for around 4 years (on and off). I wish I had learnt this skill sooner. I now understand everything from creating adverts, writing emails and sales copy is tied up in the skill of copywriting.

I think I may be a regular on this section of the forums for quite a while haha.

Thanks again!