Learning how to Copywrite

by 15 replies
19
Without having to hire a professional Copywriter, what materials can I use to learn how to learn how to create sales letters well?
#copywriting #copywrite #learning
  • Hi zigato,

    You can go out and sell the items personally and record the conversations where you have succeeded. Then get them transcribed. Then take the best parts and get them formatted and posted up the way you want.

    - Rick Duris
    • [1] reply
    • I'm in no position to answer your question, but I can relate my experience.

      I've read a bunch of modern copywriting books that all promise the world! They all claim they'll make you rich, or convince you that reading this particular book is all you need to become come a master copywriter.

      I'm starting to think however, that the best way to learn is to do two things - study the old classics (the one that all the new books recommend), including Breakthrough advertising by John Caples, The Robert Collier Letter Book and How To Write A Good Advertisement By Victor Schwab. I think it would also be a good idea to study successful ads by yourself.
      • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Let me guess the very next question. "Without having to hire a professional sales person, what materials can I use to learn how to sell."
  • Want to learn? Then go write copy. Sell stuff.

    Book finished. The End.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply

    • This is correct, but I would recommend your reading as many books as you can find on the subjects of sales and copy writing... The two topics go hand-in-hand...

      I chose to learn sales, before I chose to learn copy writing... And I am still learning both...
  • Get a hold of E.B. White's classic essay, "The Elements of Style." It remains the shortest, clearest and best tutorial for effective writing. I'm sure it's available online, or any librarian would be happy to guide you to a copy.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • I'm here at the forums to learn more about this as well, and I definitely would agree that practice is key. Write some copy, see how it does, then ask for advice and suggestions.

    As far as resources go, I wouldn't have thought of "The elements of style" off the top of my head, but I think that's a great idea. I don't know much about the classics, but I will certainly be checking them out too.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • Speaking of classics, one of the volumes of The Harvard Classics is a collection of the greatest speeches of all time. What a place to learn true copywriting! Another volume is the greatest book prefaces of all times. Again, something written so well as to be remembered and immortalized has to have something very valuable to teach me. Language and diction and style can change over time, but the purpose and effectiveness of the craft remains consistent throughout history. Any volume or collection of famous speeches would be a great course in copywriting.
  • [DELETED]
  • You do not necessarily need to have a particular book to read although books are good but i guess you should start by reading what other people have written. There are so many sales copy online that you can read. Just pick them one by one; the ones that appeal to you and will make you want to buy a product are the ones you want to build yourself up to par with. Thats a very good way to start off. I hope this helps
  • One thing you learn after spending tens of thousands of dollars
    on a a college education--everything your professor taught you
    came from a book.

    Then why pay the professor? S/He was there to motivate you and
    keep you accountable.

    Some people have the background and discipline to learn copywriting
    on their own--there are a TON of free and cheap resources so you
    can do that. Others need some motivation and guidance from those
    who have been doing this for years.

    The choice is your really about which route you want to take. Each
    has its advantages. One is cheap and the other is fast.

    -Ray Edwards
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Zigato,

      There has been a lot of GREAT advice dispensed in this thread. One more pointer I offer is... ripping apart sales letters.

      I've just started doing it again with some Brian Keith Voiles pieces.

      Very informative experience!

      Here is what you do: take a pen and a successful ad. Sit down at your desk or kitchen table. Wherever you can be alone and quiet.

      Then, I want you to go through EACH LINE. Actually, each WORD. Doing this, you'll understand:

      1) What were some of the main motivations the writer used - hot buttons, etc.

      2) The use of certain phrases for impact

      3) How to increase product value throughout the copy in subtle ways

      4) How the writer tears apart the reader's defenses (or disarms them, whichever you prefer)

      And a whole score of other things.

      By far, next to handwriting copy, this is a very revealing experience.

      I highly suggest you go to:

      Marketing... copywriting... and all things related to making your business more profitable.

      And sign up. The content on the site is good, and the three bonuses for signing up are incredible. Ross' "Stripped Naked Sales Letters" is a real nugget.

      On top of that, go to Kevin Rogers' site (Kevin Rogers|Direct Response Copywriting Expert|Marketing Consultant|The Copywriter's Edge) and sign up. His breakdown of a successful Clickbank letter is well worth the time.

      Craig Garber also offers some sales letters breakdowns, as do most big copywriters.

      For me, it's the most effective way to learn. But as has been said... everyone learns differently.

      Seeing everything the books, courses, etc, talk about at work is a big help.

      All the best,

      Angel
  • If you like language: fiction, poetry, drama etc you have the potential to become a good copywriter. You are a dramatist; your copy must create drama, and get an emotional response, whatever that may be, from the reader.
  • [DELETED]
  • Check out Clayton Makepeace's site: The Total Package -- it's free and packed with tons of info. And make sure you hit the archives.

    A couple other good sites:

    Jack Ford - "Learn to Sell or Else..."

    Gary Bencivenga - Marketing Bullets

    Gary Halbert - The Gary Halbert Letter

    John Carlton - John Carlton's Official Blog - The Marketing Rebel RANT

    You could also pick up a copy of Denny Hatch's Million Dollar Mailings - Amazon.com: Million Dollar Mailings (9781566251624): Dension Hatch: Books: Reviews, Prices & more
    Hope this helps,

    Len
  • [DELETED]
  • zigato,
    What helps a lot is to follow Gary Halbert's system of just taking great ads and copying them by hand, word by word. Writing out other ads will get you into the flow of things. I first thought it a was silly advice, but it works. By writing you learn faster.

    Great old ads you can find at Lawrence Bernstein's infomarketingblog .com
  • [DELETED]
  • [DELETED]
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed