Become a better copywriter: The Master List of resources to help you improve your writing and persuasion skills in 2020.
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Copywriting Books you must read If you're serious about improving your copywriting skills.
Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples
A classic written by advertising legend John Caples. Originally published in 1932, but all the copywriting principles Caples teaches are still relevant in 2020. Because as John Caples said: "Times change. People don't. Words like 'free' and 'new' are as potent as ever. Ads that appeal to a reader's self interest still work. People may disagree about what self improvement is important, but we all want to improve ourselves."
The Copywriter's Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Copy That Sells by Robert W. Bly
This book is a good introduction to copywriting. Robert W. Bly reveals a bunch of useful copywriting techniques. These techniques can help you write better copy for different mediums. From print ads, direct mail, brochures, PR materials, commercials, email marketing and writing for the web.
D&AD. The Copy Book
A bible for copywriters and creative directors. This book features a selection of ads and essays by some of the World's most forward-thinking advertising professionals. Including copywriting legends like Barbara Nokes, David Abbott, Dan Wieden, Neil French or Lionel Hunt.
Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy
Written by the Founder of one of the World's best advertising agencies Ogilvy & Mather. Ogilvy reveals:
• How to get a job in advertising
• How to choose an agency for your product
• The secrets behind advertising that works
• How to write successful copy—and get people to read it
• Eighteen miracles of research
• What advertising can do for charities
And much, much more.
Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins
Another classic. Written by Claude Hopkins, the father of modern advertising. If you want to write copy to win awards, don't read this book. But if you want to learn the psychology principles behind ads and copy that sell, this is a must-read. But don't take my word for it, read what Ad legend David Ogilvy once said about this book, "Nobody should be allowed to have anything to do with advertising until he has read this book seven times. It changed the course of my life."
Websites and blogs about advertising & copywriting
Copy Blogger
A handy online go-to resource for copywriting and content marketing tips.
VeryGoodCopy
Great blog & newsletter written by copywriter Eddie Shleyner. Eddie will teach you hundreds of proven copywriting principles & techniques.
Ad Teachings
Created by Suzanne Pope. Suzanne teaches advertising at Humber College in Toronto, Canada, and she's been writing ads for 30+ years. Here you'll find thousands of great examples of good vs. bad copywriting. And also interesting insights about how to create advertising that sells.
The Gary Halbert Letter
Possibly some of the best copywriting advice & techniques you can read on the Internet. Oh, and it's 100% free! Written by Gary C Halbert, one of the most successful copywriters of all time.
Gary Bencivenga's Bullets
Read 29 short essays written by "the Michelangelo of direct mail copywriting". Packed with insightful tips on how to improve your persuasion powers.
The Rant
Free & damn good insight, advice, cross-talk & mutterings from copywriting legend John Carlton.
Tools every copywriter must use. So you can get rid of the fluff, write more impactful words, and save precious time when you write copy.
Hemingway App
The closest thing you'll find to a human editor. This little web app tells you how to simplify your copy, and how to "make your writing bold and clear".
Nishi
A directory of websites with pretty, pretty, prettttaaaay good...copywriting. Disclaimer: Nishi was created by moi.
Swiped
A handy online swipe file collection of "profitable marketing & rare copywriting examples."
Thesaurus
A super handy tool to help you with grammar checking and synonym suggestions.
Urban Dictionary
If you want to write persuasive copy you must use your customer's words, not yours. That's why I recommend using Urban Dictionary. Because it's a ridiculously fun tool to find charming colloquialisms & the latest slang terms, like "nuke the fridge" or "rat-licker".
Copy Ipsum
A Webflow HTML landing page template that shows you how to structure your web copy. And how to write unignorable copy 2x faster - even if writing isn't your thing.
Now there's a web copywriting crash course for bootstrapping biz owners.
So you can build a remarkable online business. And attract more dream clients & profits than a donut shop attracts cops.
Learn how to write unignorable web copy