Can you learn to write compelling sales copy offline and online by reading the old and modern classic copywriting books?
I think you can if you pick the right books and you’re prepared to study examples of great sales copy and see the key lessons in action.
I’m fascinated by the power of written words to persuade people to buy and to overcome buyer resistance and objections.
I have a natural British reserve for and distrust of copy that shouts our “THIS IS HYPE” but I’ve also been enraptured by copy that pushes my boundaries but doesn’t go over them.
The best copy creates an inner tension so that, even if you somehow manage to walk away from the webpage or sales letter without buying or taking action, the desire to buy has wormed its way into your brain and churned up your emotions to create a battle inside your head… you want… you must resist… you can’t… you don’t have the money… you’ll find the money…
This category of the best copywriting books is define as the books I’ve rated with four and five stars. If you’re only interested in the very best, please click over to the 5 Star Copywriting Book Reviews.
Alternatively, I have another category for all the copywriting book reviews.
There are a lot of copywriting books reviewed. Here are the links to page 2 – page 3 – page 4 – page 5 – page 6
The full title of this book by James Webb Young is
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a 4 Stars rating. This means it is Good to Very Good.
Here is my book review.
Short and sweet advertising classic
If you’ve ever wondered how creative marketing people come up with their ideas, this book is for you. [continue reading…]
In my review of the book
posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Four Stars. This means it is Good and Well Worth Reading.
Here is my book review.
This is a very easy book to read and understand in contrast to some of the heavyweight tones on copywriting.
The author explains an interesting process of writing copy which, after her extensive experience, doesn’t involve starting with the headline and lead. [continue reading…]
The full title of this book by Craig Simpson with Brian Kurtz is
In my review of the book posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Five Stars. This means it is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
I’m ashamed to say I bought this book in November 2016 and hadn’t even opened my Kindle copy until January 2019. Why? Well I tend to go on buying binges and there’s the constant risk I start my next buying binge before I’ve worked my way through my last purchases.
The problem was I don’t like the main title – The Advertising Solution – or the subtitle if I’m getting picky because it mentions brands. After I’d bought it, I’d forgotten it was based on the work of six direct response marketing legends. Nor did my unfamiliarity with the main author – Craig Simpson – help me. It became a book to read some time, not next [continue reading…]
The full title of this book by David Garfinkel is
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.
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…]
In my review of this book
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.
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…]
The full title of this book by GN Reed is
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.
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…]
The full title of this book by Ray Edwards is
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.
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…]
The full title of this book by Michael Masterson & Mike Palmer is
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.
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…]
The full title of this book by Michael Masterson and John Forde is
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.
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…]
The full title of this book by Criss Ittermann is
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.
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…]
I was a consultant, small business coach and advisor based in Birmingham, with over 35 years business experience, including more than 20 years as self employed.
My main business qualifications are:
– Chartered Accountant
– MBA
– Certified Guerilla Marketing Coach
My main interests are in helping business owners who are stuck get unstuck by thinking more clearly about their issues and possible solutions.
I no longer provide professional business coaching but I will be sharing more ideas on my blog and will continue my popular business book reviews.
I can be contacted by email at Paul@BusinessDevelopmentAdvice.com
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