Table of Contents
Imagine if every word you wrote could turn the reader into a customer.
That is the power of copywriting.
But to master this art, you need the right guidance – which is where the best books on copywriting come into play.
Written by adpersons who have sold hundreds of thousands worth of products with nothing but their words, these literary gems will transform the way you approach copywriting and marketing.
Also Read:
1. Ogilvy on Advertising
- Author: David Ogilvy
- Goodreads Rating: 4.1* (10,000+ votes)
- My Favorite Sentence: \”Unless your advertising contains a big idea, it will pass like a ship in the night.\”
Written by the \”Father of Advertising\”, this book offers timeless wisdom on exploiting the power of words to sell.
In the book, Ogilvy gives practical tips for good advertising and writing. He talks about important things that don’t change quickly, so it’s helpful for both new and experienced people in advertising.
One of the best things about this book is that it stays interesting throughout. Using stories from his own work, like the Hathaway and Schweppes campaigns, Ogilvy shows how good advertising can grab attention and stay in people’s minds.
2. The Boron Letters
- Author: Gary Helbert
- Goodreads Rating: 4.2* (1,900+ votes)
- My Favorite Sentence: \”Remember, 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..\”
A collection of personal letters written by a master copywriter to his son, this book offers a unique insight into the mindset of a world-class adperson.
This book is like having a mentor, someone to guide you in a friendly way. Gary Halbert shares what he learned from working in advertising, and it’s not just about writing words; it’s also about understanding how people think.
Gary’s letters aren’t like a normal guide; they feel like a friend giving you advice. The book is a useful guide for people who want to write well and understand the tricks of selling and business.
3. The Adweek Copywriting Handbook
- Author: Joseph Sugarman
- Goodreads Rating: 4.1*
- My Favorite Sentence: \”The sole purpose of the first sentence in an advertisement is to get you to read the second sentence.\”
One of my most favorite books on copywriting, ‘The Adweek Copywriting Handbook’ should be on the reading list of every person who wants to get into the world of copywriting.
At the core of this book is a deep dive into the psychology of selling. Using anecdotes from personal experiences, Sugarman explores the intricacies of consumer behavior, guiding you on how to understand and tap into the minds of your audiences.
My favorite passage in this book is when Sugarman explains how to create a ‘slippery slope’ of words that takes the reader from where they currently are to where you want them to be.
4. Scientific Advertising
- Author: Claude C Hopkins
- Goodreads Rating: 4.1*
- My Favorite Sentence: \”Your first job is not to sell. Your first job is to arouse curiosity—stimulate interest.\”
Although a relatively older book, \”Scientific Advertising\” contains lessons about the field of advertising that are still relevant today.
For example, Hopkins emphasizes the importance of testing and measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. He encourages advertisers to track and analyse results in order to identify what works and what doesn’t.
Hopkins also introduced the now-popular AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) framework in this book that advertisers use to this day to prompt the reader to undertake the desired action.
5. Cashvertising
- Author: Drew Eric Whitman
- Goodreads Rating: 4.4*
- My Favorite Sentence: \”If you’re not embarrassed by your first ad, you’ve waited too long to launch.\”
This book is like a treasure map for people who want to sell things, explaining concepts like how our minds work just before we decide to buy something.
Although not a trained psychologist, the author looks closely at what makes us feel a certain way. He also explains in detail why we choose to buy certain products and why other products repel us.
Moreover, unlike many other books that revolve around human psychology, ‘Cashvertising’ combines theoretical concepts with practical and actional tips that can be applied in the real world.
All in all, ‘Cashvertising’ bridges the gap between theory and practice to help copywriters successfully navigate the complex world of advertising.
6. Breakthrough Advertising
- Author: Eugene Schwartz
- Goodreads Rating: 4.5*
- My Favorite Sentence: \”Breakthrough Advertising is not about building better mousetraps. It is, however, about building larger mice – and then building a terrifying fear of them in your customers.\”
In \”Breakthrough Advertising\”, Eugene Schwartz kicks things off by categorizing readers into four stages of awareness: unaware, problem-aware, solution-aware, and product-aware.
He then goes on to offer actionable tips using which you can sell your product or service to prospects at any of the four awareness levels.
Another thing I like about this book is that it highlights the importance of crafting compelling headlines – one of the most critical elements in writing copy.
Schwartz teaches copywriters how to create headlines that immediately grab readers’ attention, communicate a unique selling proposition, and entice them to continue reading.
7. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
- Author: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
- Goodreads Rating: 4*
- My Favorite Sentence: \”The simpler the message, the easier it is for people to understand, remember, and share.\”
In the dynamic world of copywriting, the ability to craft messages that resonate and endure is paramount.
Luckily, that is what this book describes, offering insights into the art of creating ideas that stay planted in the minds of your audience.
Yet another standout feature of this book is that it blends theory with real-world examples, creating a roadmap for you to follow regardless of whether you’re an amateur copywriter or one with years of experience under your belt.
8. The Copywriter’s Handbook: A Step-by-step Guide to Writing Copy that Sells
- Author: Robert W. Bly
- Goodreads Rating: 3.9*
- My Favorite Sentence: \”We are not in the business of being original. We are in the business of reusing things that work.\”
This is one of the few books that does what is written on the title page – giving you a step-by-step tutorial on writing compelling copy.
Additionally, it offers a wide range of copywriting techniques that can be applied to various types of copy, such as ads, commercials, and more.
Finally, while this book’s first edition was published in the 1980s, the most recent edition includes information on mastering writing in the digital age.
That means that you’d get actionable advice on content marketing, online videos, and high-conversion landing pages.
