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Who's the Best Copywriter of All Time? (so far)

by BrianDavid
31 replies
It's time to drop names. I'm wondering, who influenced you?
#copywriter #time
  • Profile picture of the author Johnny12345
    The list would be long...

    If you claimed Clayton Makepeace was the best in the world, I'm not sure I would be able to argue otherwise.

    But three other personal favorites are Joe Sugarman, Drew Kaplan, and -- last but certainly not least -- Drew Eric Whitman.

    However, if I hadn't seen Joe Karbo's work (decades ago), I'm not sure I would be a full-time, professional copywriter today.

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author TatiW3B
    David Ogilvy and Drew Eric Whitman for sure.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Who's the Best Copywriter of All Time? (so far)
      How do you define "best"?

      Most sales, highest paid, most respected, most controls, how?

      Alex
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      • Profile picture of the author BrianDavid
        Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

        How do you define "best"?

        Most sales, highest paid, most respected, most controls, how?

        Alex
        Your personal best, the criteria is up to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    There was a guy named "Bruce" something I can't
    remember... in the 1920s... Ogilvy or somebody like
    that apprenticed with him. He ran for president
    of USA I think.

    Copywriting is about selling your idea, getting
    buy in. That's it. Market conditions and products
    vary with the times and place. A copywriter's
    success in selling volume is largely defined by
    the fulfillment system and advertising capital
    backing the work. Like film directing, it's a
    tricky thing to assess. Who do you thing is
    better: Tarkovsky or Spielberg?

    There's no question who made more money
    in movies.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr. Subtle
    Probably the writers of the Buybull ... err ... Bible.

    .
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    • Profile picture of the author Enfusia
      In terms of sheer raw ability I would have to say Michael Masterson.

      He's the only guy I've ever seen who's copy literally put me into a stinkin trance.

      In terms of dollars it's Makepeace for sure.

      For conversational style copy it would be hard to argue against Carlton.

      Patrick
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    • Profile picture of the author Raymond Duke
      Originally Posted by Mr. Subtle View Post

      Probably the writers of the Buybull ... err ... Bible.

      .
      It is the number one selling book of all time. And it contains the most powerful forms of rhetoric known to man (so far).
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  • Profile picture of the author colmodwyer
    Whomever wrote this...

    Stepping Out Secrets - Male to Female Transformation Program

    Colm
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    • Profile picture of the author enger
      I am staggered no-one has mentioned Gary Bencivenga yet... Malcolm Decker is another...
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      • Profile picture of the author BrianDavid
        Wow, I forgot about some of those! Talk about swipe files from waaay back...good stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author BrianDavid
    I'd say mine is Frank Kern. He says he hasn't written in a while because he would rather make videos, but he has made a lot of money for others. It's impossible to surf in Macon, Ga., so he packed his bags and moved to La Jolla.
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  • Profile picture of the author tehdellguy22
    David Ogilvy #1
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  • Profile picture of the author svedski
    Clayton Makepeace, Gary Bencivenga, Eugene Schwartz, Gary Halbert.

    John Carlton is great as well but it's hard to compare since he has mostly written golf and self defense ads.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ronak Shah
    John Carlton & Robert Bly until now -- More to come. Probably, I might add Dan Kennedy to the list along with Sir Gary Halbert.

    Robert Bly is my favorite.
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  • Profile picture of the author roley
    There is no BEST copywriter.

    It's all relative.

    Was GARY HALBERT the best, just because he did well with one big ad?

    No

    No different than a guy who works for a magazine and sells crap loads of magazines.

    Stop putting people on pedestals. Quoting conversion rates or money made MEANS NOTHING.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
    Joe Sugarman was a great influence on me.

    He taught me that ads could be charming and fun.

    --- Ross
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    • Profile picture of the author bad golfer
      Originally Posted by Ross Bowring View Post

      Joe Sugarman was a great influence on me.

      He taught me that ads could be charming and fun.

      --- Ross
      Agreed. His "Adweek Advertising Handbook" and "Television Secrets For Marketing Success" made a big impact on me.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomasOMalley
    Gary Halbert and Ted Nicholas have influenced my copywriting and business success.
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    • Profile picture of the author James Fame
      If you were talking about control-beating pieces... Gary Bencivenga. Clayton Makepeace and Michael Masterson definitely had a hand in influencing my copy style too. And definitely John Carlton and Gary Halbert.

      James
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      Fire me a pm if you have a question. I build businesses and provide consulting. I do not do finance/money/internet marketing niches. Fitness, self-improvement and various others are welcome.

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  • Profile picture of the author Zero
    Ted Nicholas has sold $7 Billion worth of products/services
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  • Profile picture of the author adetunji
    Gary of course...
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  • Profile picture of the author svedski
    Mel Martin was good as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Paul Myers, Mike Long, Kelly Felix
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  • Profile picture of the author davemiz
    it'd be super cool if you guys put links to their work...

    I'd love to check out some of their stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
    Originally Posted by BrianDavid View Post

    It's time to drop names. I'm wondering, who influenced you?
    The two biggest copywriting influences for me were Michel Fortin and Clayton Makepeace. I can't say enough great things about each of them individually.
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