The Copywriter's Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Copy That Sells

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by duncansdojo, May 14, 2007.

  1. #1
    duncansdojo, May 14, 2007 IP
  2. Nystul

    Nystul Well-Known Member

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    #2
    give us an review on it ^^

    Actually most of these, you should be able to DL it in ebook these days.
     
    Nystul, May 14, 2007 IP
  3. duncansdojo

    duncansdojo Active Member

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    #3
    i know but i like to have a real book to read.....nothing against e-books but it´s easier to read a real book sitting on the toilet :)
     
    duncansdojo, May 14, 2007 IP
  4. latoya

    latoya Active Member

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    #4
    latoya, May 14, 2007 IP
  5. duncansdojo

    duncansdojo Active Member

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    #5
    I guess I have to order that book to.....but I saw it´s from 1998. Are the content in the book still topical(is this the right word)?
     
    duncansdojo, May 14, 2007 IP
  6. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #6
    Well, considering all of these books are basing their info (if it's accurate) on stuff that's been around for decades, I don't think you need something from 2007. :)

    The basis of copywriting is sales and the human mind. If you understand sales, you'll be well on your way to being an outstanding copywriter. If not, well, good luck.

    Someone who is a pretty little writer and who lacks sales knowledge and instinct will be like rotten meat that the butcher couldn't sell and threw out for the maggots.

    Bly's stuff is pretty decent. You'll tend to find a little too much self-promo sometimes. And this is the case with all books.

    Do you want to know a secret? The carp of the copywriting world remember headlines and swipe stuff to straight copy. The big fish understand why things actually work and when to use what and where to use it.

    Most of the books are good ways to dip your toe in the pool, and I recommend checking them out, but they all come up short if you really want to touch the moon.

    Pop the cap on that bad boy and have fun.
     
    marketjunction, May 14, 2007 IP
  7. latoya

    latoya Active Member

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    #7
    Jason...I'm curious as to what you were doing while you were writing this post. lol :D
     
    latoya, May 15, 2007 IP
  8. Astomper

    Astomper Guest

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    #8
    i have read it. not bad, but also not the best available these days. I rate it 4 stars out of 5. want a used copy?
     
    Astomper, May 15, 2007 IP
  9. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #9
    Just being myself. :)

    What were you doing while I was writing that post?

    :eek:
     
    marketjunction, May 15, 2007 IP
  10. latoya

    latoya Active Member

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    #10
    sleeping ;)
     
    latoya, May 15, 2007 IP
  11. mehulcool

    mehulcool Peon

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    #11
    mehulcool, May 15, 2007 IP
  12. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #12
    What? There's no time for sleep.

    Unless you meant that as in "you want to come up for coffee?" ;)
     
    marketjunction, May 16, 2007 IP
  13. SergeF

    SergeF Peon

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    #13
    so is there a copywriter's handbook that worths to be read?
     
    SergeF, May 16, 2007 IP
  14. omshanti

    omshanti Well-Known Member

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    #14
    The Blackbook of copywriting, a must read but I haven't read the book yet haha.. Have heard a lot about it that its the ultima!

    I must say, it's one of those most recommended books.
     
    omshanti, May 17, 2007 IP
  15. SergeF

    SergeF Peon

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    #15
    omshanti, i can't find anything similar to what you've mentioned, could you please provide the url to this book?
     
    SergeF, May 17, 2007 IP
  16. duncansdojo

    duncansdojo Active Member

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    #16
    i tried to search for it to but didn´t find anything.....

    also purchase this book




    Handbook of Magazine Article Writing by Jean M. Fredette

    anybody read this book?
     
    duncansdojo, May 18, 2007 IP
  17. sadhivm

    sadhivm Guest

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    #17
    the only book you need is "tested advertising methods" - once you have read that all the other books will appear to be the same
     
    sadhivm, May 27, 2007 IP
  18. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #18
    Most "copywriting" books remind me of the "make money in your sleep books." They are filled with lots of fluff and stories. When you rip out the knowledge, you realize that there are only a few points here and there. Some are good, others not so much.

    It reminds me guitar tabs. Most books don't tell you about the "music". They just say "do this" and "do that" to get you through the "song." The problem is you "grow up" as a one-trick pony. You don't know WHY things work. This might be alright for most, but you will be limited.

    Still, a beginner should pick up anything and read. When done, pick up another book and read. You'll learn some and you'll start to figure out where to go.

    I have about 400 books in my personal library (trimmed it down :) ). I also have subscriptions to 30-40 magazines (trade pubs, gen public mags, etc).

    Point is, you don't learn by sitting on a message board asking what "one" book to read. There isn't a best copywriting book in terms of completeness, because it would have to be 500,000 pages in length at least. It would have to cover all the aspects of writing, sales, marketing, psychology, sociology, and so forth.

    Oh, one tip would be to figure out what type of copywriting you want to specialize in and focus on it. This is a two fold process. First, you could decide on doing direct mail for example. Next, you might decide to focus on the nutrition industry. Yes, you can write for many industries, but you should have one area that you dominate in.
     
    marketjunction, May 27, 2007 IP
  19. webmanfirst

    webmanfirst Peon

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    #19
    Yes I belive no book could give all things we need.They are writer when writting books,that is the point.
     
    webmanfirst, May 30, 2007 IP
  20. chaser

    chaser Peon

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    #20
    I wonder if you guys read 22 Hot Buttons...

    It's a very useful ebook that talk about sales letter copywriting
    from the human psychology angle. The author explains about all
    the "buttons" that trigger people to buy.

    I think this is one of those "everlasting" ebook because I did
    learn the BASIC concepts of sales letter copywriting in it, that
    I think they won't change as long as the human lives ;)

    You can check it out yourself...

    http://www.getyourownproducts.com/22HotButtons.html
     
    chaser, Jun 1, 2007 IP