Which copywriting books helped you learn the craft? Which books inspire you? Which books define you?
We’re creating a recommended reading list for copywriters – those books that can make you a better communicator, a better advertiser and a better marketer.
Please share your own favourites in the comments below.
You don’t have to choose books strictly about copywriting. You might want to recommend something about persuasion, digital media, content strategy, creativity – or any of the other skills that copywriters rely on.
So, what books would you recommend to copywriters?
Leif Kendall
I organise ProCopywriters and CopyCon. I took over ProCopywriters in 2016, after having been an enthusiastic member of the community, and a firm believer in the need for places to bring copywriters together. For many years I combined my freelance writing work with the challenges…
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Julian Abel
Iain Aitch
Clare Lynch
What do you think?
10 comments
Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath is still one of my favourites
'Nicely Said' by Nicole Fenton and Kate Kiefer Lee
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'Copywriting: Successful writing for design, advertising and marketing' by Mark Shaw
The Freelance Writer's Handbook by Andrew Crofts and Write to Sell by Andy Maslen have both been very helpful.
The Human Freelancer - Chris Kenworthy
Write to Sell - Andy Maslen
A couple of people have already mentioned it, but I really liked Andy Maslen's Write to Sell.
There have been countless others over the years, but two that stood out for me are Ogilvy on Advertising and Hey Whipple, Squeeze This.
Why I Write - George Orwell
I love Ogilvy on Advertising,and Don't Make Me Think, which is about web usability, but it's incredibly relevant for copywriters working on the web.
Anything by Dave Trott.
A Plain English Handbook: How to write clear SEC disclosure documents (free pdf)
Packed with useful business writing advice even if you aren't about to submit a document to the US financial regulator. It's also the source of our company name.
We've a list of the all the books and resources we recommend here:
https://www.dorisandbertie.com/goodcopybadcopy/38-powerful-writing-tools-and-resources/
Another vote for Ogilvy on Advertising. A lot of it is very quaint now, but to learn about the craft of writing to sell, there's no better guide. Great stuff from the age of Mad Men.