by Paul Simister
on January 11, 2019
The full title of this book by David Garfinkel is
Breakthrough Copywriting: How To Generate Quick Cash With The Written Word
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave it Five Stars. This means it is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
Important new structures for copywriting
I started listening to the author’s excellent weekly copywriting podcast because I thought I’d enjoyed his book. Then he started referring to ideas I was unfamiliar with and I discovered I’d bought the book several years ago but not actually read it.
I’ve quickly put this mistake right and I wish I hadn’t allowed myself to get distracted. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on November 16, 2018
In my review of this book
The Boron Letters By Gary Halbert
posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave it four stars. This means I think it is good and worth reading.
Here is my book review.
“Babblings” of a great copywriter from prison
I first read these letters written by the author to his son from prison on the Gary Halbert Letters website and bought the book to add to my copywriting and marketing library.
These letters date back to 1984 so don’t expect tips about the Internet, email and social media. Instead expect advice that goes deeper than modern media. Their purpose was to teach his youngest son about marketing and life. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on November 13, 2018
The full title of this book by Rebecca Geier is
Smart Marketing for Engineers: An Inbound Marketing Guide to Reaching Technical Audiences
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of 4 Stars. It is good and well worth reading.
Well worth reading if you work in a large electronics company
There are few marketing books which look at B2B marketing issues and those that focus on selling technical products or services to engineers are rare and precious.
This one looks at the post Internet development of inbound marketing, sometimes called content marketing. It’s about establishing credibility so customers come to you when they want to buy. This contrasts with traditional marketing where businesses blast out marketing messages to anyone and everyone who might buy some time. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on November 10, 2018
The full title of this report turned into a book by Rich Schefren is
Internet Business Manifesto: A Big Business Was Just A Small Business That Did The Right Things. A Wealthy Business Owner Was An Opportunity Seeker Who Became An Entrepreneur
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of 3 Stars. I need to explain.
Here is my review.
How much? That’s ridiculous
It was hard rating this legendary report on Internet marketing at the 3 stars level but let me explain my rating.
1 Star for anyone trying to charge £396 for a printed version of this promotional report. It was available online for free for 10 or more years as a PDF. It’s not worth it at these prices.
5 Stars for the original impact the report had on Internet marketers in general and on me in particular.
Back in the mid 2000s, Internet marketing was often promoted as an easy way to make big money. Thinking back, this was strange when there seemed to be new, essential to know techniques coming out every few weeks. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on November 2, 2018
The full title of this book by GN Reed is
101 Headline Templates That Crush It: How To Get Your Emails Opened Fast
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of 4 Stars. This means it is good and well worth reading.
Here is my book review.
The headline is the “ad for the ad”
All copywriters who get paid for results know the importance of the headline in its role as the ad for the ad.
If you’re sceptical, you just needs to reflect what happens when you read a newspaper, in print or offline. You read the headlines and if relevant it interesting, you’ll read further. Otherwise you don’t have the time to read everything. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on November 1, 2018
The full title of this book by Ray Edwards is
How to Write Copy That Sells: The Step-By-Step System for More Sales, to More Customers, More Often
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of 4 Stars. This means it is good and well worth reading.
Strong on copywriting techniques
The author is an American copywriter with more than 30 years experience and has written a wide-ranging book on writing copy.
As you’d expect, the book is easy to read. It flows nicely and us very clear. There is also a helpful summary at the end of each chapter. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on October 25, 2018
The full title of this book by Michael Masterson & Mike Palmer is
Copy Logic! The New Science of Producing Breakthrough Copy (Without Criticism)
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of 4 Stars. This means it is good and well worth reading.
Here is my book review.
Good for professional copywriters, not so relevant for others
This is an interesting book which introduces ways to review draft copy.
The traditional approach is based on criticism. The headline is no good, the lead is weak, the guarantee is too waffly. .. all of which puts the copywriters on the defensive and doesn’t really point to improvements, just to areas if weakness. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on September 13, 2018
The full title of this book by Michael Masterson and John Forde is
Great Leads: The Six Easiest Ways to Start Any Sales Message
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of 5 Stars. This means it is excellent and very highly recommended.
Here is my book review.
Very revealing guide building on Eugene Schwartz ideas
I was a fool. It has taken be more than 5 years to read this excellent copywriting book after buying it.
I’m struggling to justify it to myself. I read widely, not just copywriting or even marketing books but that’s no real excuse. The title perhaps undersells it and, back in July 2013, the book didn’t have all these glowing reviews. I buy a lot of books and kindle books can quickly drop outside of my eyesight unlike a physical book which nags away, demanding to be read. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on September 12, 2018
The full title of this book by Criss Ittermann is
How to Get Your Web Content DONE!: How to write, what to write, and why you’re writing it
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a 4 Stars rating. This means the book is good and well worth reading.
Here is my book review.
Short guide to your website packed with common sense
This book won’t take you long to read, probably between 30 to 60 minutes but it will lead you into taking action on your website, whether it’s a new one with blank pages or an existing, under-performing one.
I agree with much of what it says about the purpose and contents for your home page, about pages, products and services page etc. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on September 11, 2018
The full title of this book by Craig Simpson with Dan Kennedy is
The Direct Mail Solution: A Business Owner’s Guide to Building a Lead-Generating, Sales-Driving, Money-Making Direct-Mail Campaign
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of 4 Stars. This means it is good and well worth reading.
Here is my book review.
Useful guide for mass mailings but it won’t teach you how to write the sales letter
This is a useful guide to direct mail although it’s more targeted to B2C mass mailings than it is for anyone who wants to mail to B2B targets and small lists.
As is often the case when there is a bug name author sharing credit with a less known author, it us the less well known one does most of the work. To be fair, there are more chapters from Dan Kennedy than I expected. As is normal in his books, you’ll be urged to buy plenty of other DK books. [continue reading…]
