What's the best book to learn about writing good web copy?

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by gregdavidson, Jan 14, 2008.

  1. #1
    I'm looking for the BEST book on the subject. Please let me know your suggestions.
     
    gregdavidson, Jan 14, 2008 IP
  2. webgal

    webgal Peon

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    #2
    Are you a copywriter already? When it comes to writing anything in the advertising market, whether it's an ad or a website, you basically write it for a target audience. I just wrote a tutorial about creating subheads, headlines and content. Shameless plug I know but I have written web copy for 9 years, and ad copy for 20+ and I cover the whole shebang. I go into site planning, keywords, planning good navigation/menu.

    I know a lot of people recommend Joe Sugarman and highly recommend that book. But it's not a web copy book but a copywriting book in general. To be honest, I don't know of a good book for WEB copywriting unless you are looking for books pertaining to sales letters. There are a lot of those. So if you want sales letter books, let me know because I can dig up some titles for you from those I know who write them.
     
    webgal, Jan 14, 2008 IP
  3. gregdavidson

    gregdavidson Well-Known Member

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    #3
    gregdavidson, Jan 14, 2008 IP
  4. webgal

    webgal Peon

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    #4
    "write sizzling and irresistible Web copy, e-mails, and marketing communications * quickly turn lackluster sites into "perpetual money machines"

    Well, it wouldn't be a book of pure genius if that's what she writes. That's boiler-plate stuff. But this part would be interesting.

    "Neuro-Linguistic Programming and psychological tactics"

    All the copywriters I worked with went on a seminar for this. It was remarkable.
     
    webgal, Jan 14, 2008 IP
  5. gregdavidson

    gregdavidson Well-Known Member

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    #5
    gregdavidson, Jan 14, 2008 IP
  6. JohnG

    JohnG Peon

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    #6
    Just myu opinion but I think the best course is totally free.

    Go out and find online sales letters that you like, ones that make you want to pull your cc out.

    Print them out, take notes, highlight, et.
     
    JohnG, Jan 14, 2008 IP
  7. gregdavidson

    gregdavidson Well-Known Member

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    #7
    That's actually what I was thinking of doing. But how do you know that their ad copy is selling?
     
    gregdavidson, Jan 15, 2008 IP
  8. webgal

    webgal Peon

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    #8
    You watch the stats. 3% conversion is good. 10% or more totally rocks. Under 3% and you need to take a look at things. Try the warrior forum for ideas.
     
    webgal, Jan 15, 2008 IP
  9. gregdavidson

    gregdavidson Well-Known Member

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    #9
    Thanks for the forum info. I recently posted a thread asking for information on some other busy forums and nobody mentioned the Warrior Forum.
     
    gregdavidson, Jan 15, 2008 IP
  10. jambon

    jambon Member

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    #10
    that's a great book actually, I have it and I reccomend it... the author was personally trained by the legendary mark joyner... one of the best copy writers out there, he fully endorses the book and even wrote the forward for it...

    a few others to read..

    hypnotic writing by joe vitale
    buying trances by jow vitale
     
    jambon, Jan 16, 2008 IP
  11. gregdavidson

    gregdavidson Well-Known Member

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    #11
    You're referring the Joe Sugarman book right?
     
    gregdavidson, Jan 16, 2008 IP
  12. dingutakum

    dingutakum Peon

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    #12
    sounds like a good book
     
    dingutakum, Jan 16, 2008 IP
  13. vertigoflow

    vertigoflow Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Everyone should read the Robert Collier Letter Book. Sure it was written before computers were invented, but it is timeless in the info provided. Good luck finding a copy under $50 though. Check your libraries.
     
    vertigoflow, Jan 16, 2008 IP
  14. gregdavidson

    gregdavidson Well-Known Member

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    gregdavidson, Jan 16, 2008 IP
  15. webgal

    webgal Peon

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    #15
    Well, if your focus is sales letters, the warrior forum is the spot for you. I have written them but I don't write them exclusively like some of those guys/gals do. When I get a call to write one, they usually want a sales letter that's out of the ordinary. Once you have 20 posts, you can run a WSO (Warrior Special Offer). After watching and practicing you could simply run a WSO to write a sales letter for $50 and say you'll work your butt off.

    You could actually volunteer for some grunt work (research or whatever) from one of the more experienced direct response copywriters in exchange for some mentoring.
     
    webgal, Jan 16, 2008 IP
  16. smileymarketing

    smileymarketing Peon

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    #16
    Hi,

    "Web Copy That Sells: The Revolutionary Formula for Creating Killer Copy Every Time" is a good one.

    Lior Reuveni
    Smiley Marketing.
     
    smileymarketing, Jan 20, 2008 IP