5 of the Best Copywriting Books
Posted on January 3, 2012 by Pure Ink | Leave a comment
Looking to learn more about copywriting? These five books provide the ideal resources to help you perfect your craft.
1) Can I Change Your Mind? By Lindsay Camp
This easy to follow book breaks persuasive copywriting down into four sections: persuasive principles, an a-z of persuasive writing, persuasive words at work and a final section which sums up the key messages in the book. The book is written with humour and is full of tips on how to engage and entertain readers. The usual copywriting advice such as understanding your target audience is here but conveyed in a fresh and easy to understand way. This statement nicely sums up the advice on offer…
“Bad writers worry about whether the reader will understand them. Good ones are more concerned about how well they understand the reader.”
The wide range of information in the book means it’s versatile enough to be useful to writers of all levels; from students to professional copywriters looking to develop their persuasive writing skills.
2) 100 Great Copywriting Ideas By Andy Maslen
The aim of this book is to inspire copywriters to improve their copy with examples from the best in the business. If you’re suffering from writer’s block then the real life examples of effective copy should kick-start the writing process. This book is ideal for junior copywriters or business owners looking for tips and inspiration to improve their copywriting.
3) Ogilvy on Advertising By David Ogilvy
Stuffed full of examples from one of the world’s most famous advertising executives and although over 30 years old, much of the advice on advertising and copywriting still applies. There’s plenty of advice on the copywriting process backed up with examples of successful advertising campaigns such as the following for Mercedes-Benz…
“You give up things when you buy a Mercedes-Benz 230S. Things like rattles, rust, and shabby workmanship.”
This copywriting book also evokes the drama and passion of working as a copywriter at a huge advertising agency.
4) The Copywriter’s Handbook: A Step-by-step Guide to Writing Copy That Sells By Robert W. Bly
This straightforward guide to crafting copy is a classic choice which covers pretty much every type of copywriting. As well as giving guidance on the copywriting process, the book also offers practical advice on running a copywriting business or being hired by an agency. It’s also a good read for anyone who wants to employ a copywriter as it shows the skills you need to look for in your potential writer.
5) From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor: Front-line Dispatches from the Advertising War By Jerry Della Femina
Although over forty years old, this classic copywriting book is an insider’s account into the New York advertising industry in the 1960s. There’s no copywriting advice as such in this book as it’s more of an autobiography but there are examples of the author’s copywriting and how he approaches his work. The book also features humorous insights into his relationships with art directors and account managers at some of the world’s biggest agencies.
The language is that of Mad Men (no wonder as the author was an advisor on season one of the hit show) and this straightforward, ballsy look at the advertising industry still entertains and inspires copywriters at all levels…
“The average copywriter and art director never stop learning. You have to know your product so well you could go out and be a salesman for the company pushing the product. What you’re trying to do in all of this is to isolate the problem of the company – naturally they wouldn’t have switched to your agency if everything was going fine. What you’re trying to do is crystallize the problem. Once you arrive at the problem, then your job is really almost over, because solving the problem is nothing. The headache is finding out what the problem is …”
There’s our pick of the best copywriting books out there. If you have any to add then let us know below!
Posted in Content Writing Tips Copywriting