Post: #1

I read the parts of the copywriting thread from way back and bought the well fed writer book a few years ago. I read through that book twice and while its a good book, it doesn't teach you how to write copy...at all, just shows you what to do to get gigs (which is valuable information of course) and build your business.

Id like some recommendations from some of the guys here who do copy what books to buy to learn how to write copy (form beginning to mastery) I checked on amazon and all the reviews from the books there are elance-funded copy pasta reviews(its pretty easy to tell really.)

Im looking for it to be in book (or even text book form) not e-book or internet-site etc. . .)

if anyone has any solid recommendations please post them here. thanks!

Post: #2

Start & Run a Copywriting Business by Steve Slaunwhite and The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joe Sugarman are the two I recommend.

Steve's book covers the aspects of working as a freelancer as well as copywriting, whereas Joe's book focuses solely on the copy. Both are solid.

Also sign up for Ivan Levison's monthly newsletter. He's one of the biggest names in the field and drops solid wisdom each month.

Post: #3

This was mentioned in the other copywriting threads but maybe you missed it.

https://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com/new...rience.htm

Quote: Here's how I'd do it: If you were my student, the first thing I'd ask you to do is give yourself a basic education in valid advertising principles. To begin with, I'd want you to read everything listed below:

"Scientific Advertising"

-by Claude Hopkins

"The Robert Collier Letter Book"

-by Robert Collier

"Tested Advertising Methods"

-by John Caples
"How To Write A Good Advertisement"
-by Vic Schwab

"The Gary Halbert Letter" (all back issues)

-by Gary Halbert

"The Boron Letters"
-by Gary Halbert

"The Lazy Man's Way to Riches"

-by Joe Karbo

"Break-Through Advertising"

-by Eugene M. Schwartz

You could probably skip the Karbo book and the Suarez book as those don't really cover the the actual writing of copy

I assume you're talking about B2C copywriting but to summarize the running theme from the above books:

1) Know you audience and what they want(hope, fears, needs).
2) Know the ins and out of your product or service you're writing about.
3) Frame the features of product or service as things that will benefit your prospect.

I know you said "no websites" but you should really check out Carol Tice's Freelance Writer's Den. The bootcamps cover different styles of writing (case studies, whitepapers, etc).

I know I've got a few others. When I get home I'll take a look.

Post: #4

I second, The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joe Sugarman. I had read 7 other books before Sugarman's book and everything seemed vague and I was still not confident about what to write. The Adweek Copywriting Handbook has so much solid information that it's almost too good to be true.

It's hard to find swipe files for Sugarman's ads. I found them in Popular Science magazine's old issues. Just do a search inside Popular Science magazine at books.google.com for the term JS&A (Sugarman's company). You will find the ads he wrote and mentioned in the book. It will be helpful to see his teachings in action.

Post: #5

Robert Bly's 'The Copywriter's Handbook" is a pretty good introductory text on writing copy.
I will have to check out some of these newer books that are aimed more towards web sales.

Post: #6

Thanks for this post. That's actually golden info. I'm gonna have to look some of his ads up.

I've been writing out The Boron Letters by hand this month (one a day) and I'm already seeing big results. My clients are throwing out compliments my way and I'm thinking wtf I wish I would've gotten more serious about studying copy years ago.

I've always kind of winged my freelance stuff, and now I'm pissed lol. Oh well. That's how important it is to study the pros I suppose.

Post: #7

I heard a lot of good of "the ultimate sale letter" by Dan Kennedy !