Currently I'm reading How to Write a Good Advertisment by Victor Schwab. I've also heard the name Joe Sugarman as a go-to guy. What are some other good copywriting books?
My Favs are... Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer (Second Edition) The Copywriter's Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells Get a Freelance Life: mediabistro.com's Insider Guide to Freelance Writing Keep in mind these books are for people that plan on taking a full time freelancing job and are planning on pricing their work at higher then 1 cent per word. I hope these help you..
Dan Kennedy is the master of copywriting! Check out these books! The Ultimate Marketing Plan The Ultimate Sales Letter Magnetic Marketing Great Stuff! Oh also anything from the late great Gary Halbert!
Thanks yafi_hostinizer! Most of Dan Kennedy's stuff Rocks! Ultimate Marketing Plan is some of his best though. Every time I read that I get new ideas!
It's not about copywriting only but it's actually a very good book. Confessions of an Advertising Man - David Ogilvy
Check out Ca$hvertising and google the "The Boron Letters" by Gary Halbert as well, these will give you excellent direction.
Books on Copywriting 1. Words That Sell By Richard Bayan, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0809247992 - Can't seem to find the right words to truly capture your target audience? This book is a library of buzz words you can use in sales letters, direct mail, print ads, commercials and more. 2. The Copywriter's Handbook By Robert W. Bly, Henry Holt and Company, ISBN 0805011943 - Perhaps the most famous copywriter of all, Bob Bly walks you through the many facets of copywriting in this essential guide. Whether you're looking for a freelance gig or you're ready to start your career in an ad agency, everything from creating writing samples to how to succeed is fully explained. 3. Teach Yourself Copywriting By J. Jonathan Gabey, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0658012010 - Anyone can produce copy. Copy that sells is another matter entirely. Copywriters, promotion directors and anyone wanting to improve their writing skills can benefit from this guide. The updated version includes Email and Internet marketing tools as well. 4. The Elements of Copywriting By Gary Blake and Robert W. Bly, Longman, ISBN 0028626303 - Tackle the tricks of the trade. Gain tips on how to write all types of marketing materials. Discover the benefits of short, punchy sentences. 5. Phrases That Sell By Edward Werz and Sally Germain, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0809229773 - Building on the number one choice, Words That Sell, this book identifies over 5,000 phrases you can use in your advertising materials and gives you the "10 Basic Rules of Copywriting."
Anything by Clayton Makepeace is also very good. Many of the marketing legends also swear by Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins. You can download it for free on Google since it is in the public domain.
Thanks for all the great suggestions...it seems like all the internet marketing forums I go to they all mention the same names...Robert Bly, Clayton Makepeace, Richard Bayan.....this is good info to know. I love the public domain! Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill is also in the PD. Not a copy writing book but a good one for any marketer to read.
It's an interesting question. Specifically because a book about copywriting that was actually any good would presumably use its own techniques to promote itself, and so you'd already know about it!
Awesome suggestions here, looks like I'm going to have to visit the Amazon store soon. A friend of mine who is in advertising gave me Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples. It has lots of great insights, particularly on the subjects of calls to action and headline writing, but the ones mentioned here are probably much better as they're specifically about copywriting. It's definitely not a bad read though..
I've been reading “Kick-Ass Copywriting Secrets Of A Marketing Rebel†by John Carlton and it's been a bad-ass book which has helped me and my clients increase their conversions.