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Recommend Just One Book

by senderbot
13 replies
Hi,

I've just read through the post on top copywriting books ever. Its an excellent thread with many, many, good books it seems.

However I've read a few in that list and feel that some of the books are at odds with each other, different competing techniques that may be confusing to someone just starting out. I'm not saying they are bad, outdated or wrong in any way. Just that for a newby starting out, it can be confusing knowing which to pick and follow...

So to all you marketing experts out there - If you could only recommend one book on copywriting/marketing to get someone started - just one book that would help with web copywriting and online/offline advertising and marketing in general - what would it be?

One that is still relevant in todays world, and one with advice that is easy to translate from book to website...

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Max

PS - My favourite marketing books that I own so far are "Triggers" by Joseph Sugarman and "Ready, Fire, Aim" by Michael Masterson.
#book #recommend
  • Profile picture of the author prettyboy
    A great book for understanding the sales process, which really helps with writing copy and being a smart marketer is The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini.
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    • Profile picture of the author dtendrich
      Tested Advertising Methods
      John Caples

      Hands down

      David
      Signature
      Copywriting Tips, internet marketing jargon, thoughts, and rants by me.

      Atlanta Copywriter, serving clients worldwide.

      Write your life.
      David Tendrich
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      • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
        Max,

        Every book or course has its strengths and weaknesses. I've studied over 40 books, courses, training programs, etc. and I haven't found one that expertly covers copy for both online and offline marketing.

        Different media requires variations in technique. For example, in offline media the advertorial is still a popular marketing piece... but it's never used online.

        As soon as you identify what specifically you want to write copy for, then it's alot easier to know what to study next.

        If I had to pick one book for the complete beginner... ala gun to the head choice, I'd go with Dan Kennedy's Ultimate Sales Letter because he does a solid job of teaching you basic salesletter structure and format -- something that many folks mess up.

        My personal favorite copywriting classic book is John Caples' Tested Advertising Methods.

        Sincerely,

        Mike
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        Kickstart Your Copywriting Business: How To Get Loads of New Clients FAST!

        Kick-A$$ Eight-Figure Producing Copywriting Gun For Hire | Marketing & Copywriting Blog
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    I'm sorry Max,

    But your question is way to general. Copywriting is a specialty
    within marketing. No book can come close to teaching you
    everything about how to write copy and how to be an effective
    marketer but some very useful books cover lots of ground:

    1. Jay Abraham's "Getting Everything You Can Out Of All You've Got"
    2. Jeffrey Lant's "Cash Copy"

    Special mention to Drew Eric Whitman's "Ca$hvertising"


    Any of these will stimulate your mind with many ideas that can
    help you raise your game a lot.
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author senderbot
    Hi,

    Sorry if my question was a bit general. Maybe if I put it this way. I have a product and a website. And I've read many books on copywriting for my website but it's like I've read too much. I have too many choices. I dont know where to start.

    So what one book would give me the best overall start with copywriting for my website?

    Cheers

    Max

    PS - Thanks for the answers so far.
    Signature
    PornStarStamina is for sale! - Buy the book rights and website! or Just Download the Book For FREE! - Check it out!
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    • Profile picture of the author TheMagicShow
      Originally Posted by senderbot View Post

      Hi,

      Sorry if my question was a bit general. Maybe if I put it this way. I have a product and a website. And I've read many books on copywriting for my website but it's like I've read too much. I have too many choices. I dont know where to start.

      So what one book would give me the best overall start with copywriting for my website?

      Cheers

      Max

      PS - Thanks for the answers so far.
      For this reason, I highly recommend that you get "Webcopy That Sells", it is a great book that explains how to write a better copy... for your site to sell more products.

      Amazon.com: Web Copy That Sells: The...Amazon.com: Web Copy That Sells: The...
      Click on the link above and get that book.

      Cheers,
      Magic!

      P.S- no affiliate links are provided
      Signature

      " You can either give a man a fish and feed him for a day OR teach him how to catch a fish and it will feed him for a lifetime"

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    • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
      If you're after one book which gives solid, direct, advice on all aspects of online and offline business, as I'm guessing you are, my recommendation is Commonsense Direct And Digital Marketing by Drayton Bird.
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    • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
      Originally Posted by senderbot View Post


      Sorry if my question was a bit general. Maybe if I put it this way. I have a product and a website. And I've read many books on copywriting for my website but it's like I've read too much. I have too many choices. I dont know where to start.

      So what one book would give me the best overall start with copywriting for my website?
      The book that tells you how to hire a copywriter to do it for you maybe?


      Writing copy is hard work. It's creative. There are many systems, many
      theories and many good teachers. In the end though it's about good thinking
      expressed clearly. It's a skill. No book will install the skill for you. You have
      to sweat it out.


      There are many teachers and gurus trying to simplify copy writing... and
      the thinking that runs behind quality copy. There have been many
      attempts to "templatize" winning copy....yet in today's environment
      of consumer over-stimulation it's really winning ideas, expressed
      clearly and emphatically, that capture attention and lead to sales.
      Yes, there's an element of innovation to it. I sit around all day drawing
      pictures and diagrams and making notes about how to sell stuff -
      that's what is behind the thinking. The principles can be learned
      but the writing process is of your own making.
      Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author TheMagicShow
    There are far too many books out there and non of them will cover everything. You need to be specific, in what you want to learn and then get a book that can help you learn it.

    I'll tell you about a great book that I have, in my library that gets read quite a bit, it's by David Ogilvy and it's called "Ogilvy On Advertising". This book is a must for those,that take advertising/copywriting serious.

    There are so many books out there, take a look on amazon and find what you need.
    Signature

    " You can either give a man a fish and feed him for a day OR teach him how to catch a fish and it will feed him for a lifetime"

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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    As Mike said already Dan Kennedy's Ultimate Sales Letter is the most
    basic and complete book you'll get on writing a sales letter. It gives
    you all the pieces and it's about WRITING a sales letter--not sales
    letter psychology, marketing and all the other good stuff--just how
    to write from "Dear Friend," down to the P.S.

    -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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