The Most Important Copywriting Books You Need to Read
The average person is bombarded with over 2,200 marketing messages a day, a number only due to rise in the digital age, so how do you make your writing stand out?
As Picasso said, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
There’s nobody alive who has not had to sell something.
For the founder of Nike, it’s sportswear; for Elon Musk, it’s cars. And for Gwyneth Paltrow, it’s candles that smell like the female anatomy.
Copywriting is the skill of writing to persuade; no matter who you are, you can learn a great deal from these masters of the art form.
On that note, these 7 books will start you on a remarkable journey:
- The Boron Letters
The Boron Letters by Gary C. Halbert
Nobody would think of a prison sentence for tax fraud as the beginnings of a legendary book, but that is exactly what happened to Gary Halbert.
His letters to his son Bond provide unparalleled insights into human psychology and are read and reread by marketers to this day.
- Scientific Advertising
Scientific Advertising by Claude C. Hopkins
Written in 1923 by Claude C. Hopkins, Scientific Advertising is still relevant nearly 100 years later.
David Ogilvy wrote about the book that "Nobody should be allowed to have anything to do with advertising until he has read this book seven times.” It is one of those rare books that proved to be truly revolutionary.
- Ogilvy on Advertising
Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy
Likewise, arguably the greatest adman of all time David Ogilvy wrote a book which to this day still feels contemporary. This iconic text covers what sells and what does not sell.
It is illustrated with 185 advertisements and contains the wisdom of one of the most legendary figures in advertising history.
- How to Write Better Copy
How to Write Better Copy by Steve Harrison
You should keep asking yourself, “Does this word really convey what I mean?”.
From the first chapter, Steve Harrison makes you re-evaluate how you write for the better.
His insights are a rare gift. They will change how you view copywriting and provide an accessible and immediately actionable guide.
- Junior
Junior by Thomas Kenny
There are a lot of great advertising books, but none that get down in the dirt with you quite like this one.
Thomas Kemeny made a career at some of the best ad agencies in America. In this book, he shows how he got in, how he's stayed in, and how you can do it.
- Read Me: 10 Lessons for Writing Great Copy
Read Me by Gyles Lingwood and Roger Hornberry
If you've ever struggled to craft a powerful message that hits the spot, you'll know it's harder than it looks. Wouldn't it be helpful to have an expert on hand to explain how the professionals really do it?
Designed to help anyone who works with words improve their writing, this book is packed with practical techniques and features effective exercises to pump up your persuasive powers.
- Copywriting is… : 30-or-so Thoughts on Thinking like a Copywriter
Copywriting is… by Andrew Boulton
Anyone who works in marketing knows that what works can be a constantly moving target. How to approach problems can be the most fundamental skill of all.
Andrew Boulton shares the experiences, observations, lessons, fleeting successes, and crushing failures he’s accumulated to help new and old copywriters come to terms with the baffling life of an alphabet wrangler.
To conclude, creating copy that converts can be daunting.
However, the wisdom of the greats proves persuasion is within your grasp. Whether you’re asking consumers to buy a new product or persuading a prospective employer to take a chance on you – copywriting is a skill everyone needs to cultivate.
As Blair Warren strikingly articulated: “People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions, and help them throw rocks at their enemies.”
Learning the art of persuasion through copywriting is like accessing a superpower that allows you to tap into people’s deepest emotions.
If you found this post helpful, you’d be mad not to try our copywriting course, which features legendary writers, including Steve Harrison, Vikki Ross, Dave Trott, Derek Walker, Jane Evans and more. Packed with practical tools and tips, it’s guaranteed to make your copy shine.
