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Do You Only Learn From Proven Copy Masters?

by youngmoney23 Banned
8 replies
Hey guys,

Since I started trying to learn copywriting, I've stuck to learning from proven masters like hopkins, schawb, shwartz and I've not really read anything from any of the current guys except for cashvertsing which I only bought after seeing all the positive reviews on amazon; it was a great book so I'm glad I did.

Now, recently I bought the book web copy that sells by maria veloso and I've had a hard time staring it because I think it may be a waste of time and I feel as though I'd be better off reading the work of other masters like ogilvy and caples who I have not yet read any of their materials.

What do you guys think, Is it better to stick with the proven old school masters or is their something to be learned from new guys like Maria veloso?
#copy #learn #masters #proven
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by youngmoney23 View Post

    Hey guys,

    Since I started trying to learn copywriting, I've stuck to learning from proven masters like hopkins, schawb, shwartz and I've not really read anything from any of the current guys except for cashvertsing which I only bought after seeing all the positive reviews on amazon; it was a great book so I'm glad I did.

    Now, recently I bought the book web copy that sells by maria veloso and I've had a hard time staring it because I think it may be a waste of time and I feel as though I'd be better off reading the work of other masters like ogilvy and caples who I have not yet read any of their materials.

    What do you guys think, Is it better to stick with the proven old school masters or is their something to be learned from new guys like Maria veloso?
    We have proven modern masters that have written a plethora of copywriting instruction. Clayton Makepeace, Michel Fortin, and John Carlton just to name a few. You would do well to read and study their writings.

    Makepeace: Clayton Makepeace | The Total Package

    Fortin: http://www.michelfortin.com/

    Carlton: The Marketing Rebel RANT - The Official Blog of John Carlton

    Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author Vincenzo Oliva
    Maria Veloso is a excellent student and is an excellent teacher of good copywriting. You can't just learn from the old masters because time has evolved, people have evolved and technology has evolved. It would be like learning to be an auto mechanic by studying only the original model-t ford car.

    Believe or not there are really only a handful of things you really need to know it's a matter of who is able to convey those ideas in a way that you best can absorb the key factors.

    Completely new concepts are a rarity. Everyone that teaches marketing or copywriting today is just making a different analogy or calling it a different name or making a different framework to succeed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Oxbloom
    I'd take everything she says about NLP with a grain or ten of salt. But other than that, I think her book is pretty solid on the nuts and bolts.

    I think it's a good "read" for an aspiring student of the copy game. By which I mean, something to read cover to cover, soak in the terminology and basic ideas, etc...so that when you start to study in earnest, you can hit the ground running. But not necessarily worthy of actual study itself.

    Think of it like Web Copy Cliff's Notes, and you'll be doing okay. But yeah, I'd at the very least supplement it with something more. And if you intend to write serious copy, it'll just be the first, tiny step of many.
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  • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
    Don't limit yourself to studying just copywriters. You can learn a much from literary writers that can be applied to writing copy. Try Steinbeck for tight and vivid narrative. Robert Frost for turning a memorable phrase. Hemingway for paring away unnecessary crap. Our writing tends to sound like the stuff we read, so don't read schlock.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jess Alexander
      Originally Posted by Pusateri View Post

      Don't limit yourself to studying just copywriters. You can learn a much from literary writers that can be applied to writing copy. Try Steinbeck for tight and vivid narrative. Robert Frost for turning a memorable phrase. Hemingway for paring away unnecessary crap. Our writing tends to sound like the stuff we read, so don't read schlock.
      Which makes me wonder what the Copy Nazi reads.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zentech
    If we want to talk about proven masters, how many know who Edward Bernays was?

    If you don't, find out. For better or worse, large chunks of the entire modern psychological culture were created by Bernays.
    Signature
    * Stupid Offer: Killer Sales Letters ***$897*** Just For Warriors. Ethical Clients & Legit Products Only. *
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  • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
    Originally Posted by youngmoney23 View Post

    Hey guys,

    Since I started trying to learn copywriting, I've stuck to learning from proven masters like hopkins, schawb, shwartz and I've not really read anything from any of the current guys except for cashvertsing which I only bought after seeing all the positive reviews on amazon; it was a great book so I'm glad I did.

    Now, recently I bought the book web copy that sells by maria veloso and I've had a hard time staring it because I think it may be a waste of time and I feel as though I'd be better off reading the work of other masters like ogilvy and caples who I have not yet read any of their materials.

    What do you guys think, Is it better to stick with the proven old school masters or is their something to be learned from new guys like Maria veloso?
    At some point you will have to STOP reading from the masters
    as it will drive you crazy.

    How come?

    Because the mythical "there's got to be more" will have you
    endlessly chasing after a bunny which will be always one
    hop ahead of you.

    Here's a classic story from a freelance copywriter figuring out
    how he can finally break free from the chains of working for
    the man.

    Like all good stories, there are interesting and poignant
    twists of fate.

    And always, you feel better for the experience.

    This is due to seeing a part of you in the story.

    Please go read it now, if you haven't.

    I look forward to see what an effect it has on you.

    How To Create Your Own Damn Turning Point | The Marketing Rebel RANT

    All the best,
    Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author volcomgeyser
    I am no way affiliated with them, but I think copyblogger dot com (cant post links yet) is a great resource for content writing suggestions, tips, etc
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