Today I am sharing my picks for the 22 Best Books On Copywriting.

Copywriting is my passion!

 

 

I’ve spent the last 15+ years, trying to learn as much as possible about copywriting.

I’ve scoured thousands and thousands of pages of copywriting books, racked up hours of research on the Internet, studied course after course and learned from experts.

My goal has always been to push myself to become the very best copywriter I can be.

During this process, I also figured out how to take my love for copywriting to the next level and earn a living. A living that I love.

On my quest to learn more about copywriting, I’ve discovered many tips, tricks and tools. My new passion in life is sharing that knowledge with others that are just like me and trying to find their way in copywriting.

Studying copywriting in any form is what has helped me over the years. From copywriting books to web sites, to online courses, to studying real world examples, to interviewing experts – I’ve tried everything.

Now, it’s my turn to share it with you. Here’s a list of my favorite copywriting books. The lazy days of summer are ahead for some of us so why not take a copywriting book, head to a beautiful spot and crack open the beginning to your copywriting journey.

To make this an easy read, I’ve organized my copywriting book suggestions into categories so let’s start reading.

 

 

The Idea Creation Category

Staring at a blank page or screen can either be inspiring or mortifying. The copywriting books in this category help to combat the block and fill your copywriter brain with ideas.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #1 & #2

 

A Technique for Producing Ideas by James Webb Young is a powerful copywriting book detailing the techniques needed to create exciting new ideas in five simple steps. This powerful book extends beyond the world of copywriting and can help anyone looking for ways to spark creativity. From painters to poets to engineers, this book has helped many make creative breakthroughs. Another great copywriting book for sparking ideas is Simply Brilliant by Bernhard Schroeder. Be sure to check out both through the affiliate links provided.

 

The Logic and Argument Category

 

 

Copywriting is an art, but it’s also part science and psychology as well. Copywriting basically uses words to sell stuff, and these copywriting books teach you how to write in such a way that your copy won’t take no for an answer.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #3 & #4

 

Start with NO … The Negotiating Tools that the Pros Don’t Want You to Know by Jim Camp takes on the challenge of no. It teaches you how to ignore the siren call of the final answer and instead how to control the many steps leading up to the end result. After reading this copywriting book, no becomes a welcomed challenge that your words can overturn.

 

How to Win Every Argument: The Abuse of Logic by Madsen Price tackles the challenges over overcoming obstacles in not only copywriting, but everyday life as well. It’s witty yet comical and teaches ways to resolve silly arguments amongst friends on Facebook and spans all the way to the other side to learn how to overcome serious debates over important issues.

 

The Sales Category

 

Like I always say copywriting is using words to sell stuff and a good copywriter can sell anything. These copywriting books help you brush up on those skills even further.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #5 & #6

 

The Secret of Selling Anything by Harry Brown helps anyone sell even if you’re not an outgoing, smooth talking natural born salesperson. This book challenges traditional methods and shows how they may actually be a hindrance. A must read for anyone who thinks they don’t have what it takes to sell.

 

Spin Selling by Neil Rackham is considered essential reading for anyone involved in selling. Based on research from over 35,000 sales calls, this copywriting book is packed with real world examples. It’s perfect for any level of copywriting and gives tips to make your copy sell more.

 

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Modern Classics

 

There are classics that were written many years ago that continue to stand the test of time. Then, there are modern day classics that are well on their way to becoming timeless pieces of work that will continue to inspire for years to come.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #7 & #8

 

Breakthrough Copywriting: How to Generate Quick Cash With the Written Word by David Garfinkel answers the questions all copywriters want to know. How to earn a living doing what you love … copywriting? Filled with tips and secrets for success, this copywriting book has something for everyone from the beginning copywriter to those with more experience.

 

The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy teaches readers how to attract new customers and boost sales. Kennedy is considered one of the most successful, highly paid-direct response copywriters in the country. He shares his techniques through a step-by-step process that gets the sale.

 

 

Editing and Proofing

 

Not always a copywriter’s favorite thing to do but editing and proofing is a vital step in the process. These copywriting books will help those who don’t love it get through and enhance the skills for the copywriters that do.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #9 & #10

 

The Halbert Copywriting Method Part III by Bond Halbert provides a simple, fast and easy editing formula that forces buyers to read every word of your ads. While not a complete course on copywriting, this copywriting book does teach us how to hook readers and convert your words to sales.

 

Another great copywriting book to help with editing is Copy Logic! The New Science of Producing Breakthrough Copy. If you want to cut through all of the extra words, get rid of the junk and produce engaging and thought-provoking copy, this is the book to read.

 

Storytelling

 

Not only does copywriting use words to sell stuff, but it also uses them to tell a story and to captivate audiences. Reading these copywriting books will teach you how to tell better stories through your copy.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #11 & #12

 

Every copywriter is on their own individual journey and has their own story to tell. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler takes an in-depth look at how one screenwriter challenged traditional systems to inspire change in the world of screenwriting. Story by Robert McKee takes a look at the structure, style and principles of screenwriting and transcends into the world of copywriting by teaching us how to become better story tellers.

 

Improve Writing

 

There’s always room to grow and improve in everything we do. Copywriting is no exception. These copywriting books inspire us to do more and do better.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #13 & #14

 

A picture may be worth 1000 words, but so is a good title. And, Spunk & Bite doesn’t disappoint. Best-selling author Arthur Plotnik shares how to create attention getting, jaw dropping headlines and how to draw audiences through copywriting. This copywriting book is filled with exercises, tips and tricks that take all forms of writing to a new level. How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One by Stanley Fish takes a fun approach to crafting sentences that stick. It’s hailed as a spirited love letter to the written word, and the key to understanding how great writing works.

 

Writer’s Block

 

 

It happens to the best of us but knowing how to overcome writer’s block is the key to success. These copywriting books help to fill your brain with ideas and most importantly lots of copy.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #15 & #16

 

The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph by Ryan Holiday truly is the way. This copywriting book “draws its inspiration from stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience. Stoics focus on the things they can control, let go of everything else, and turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better, stronger and tougher.”¹

 

Do The Work: Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way by Steven Pressfield shows us that sometimes we can be our own worst enemy and the reason for the block. Recognizing this is the first step to overcoming writer’s block. Doing the work without overthinking will help to right the copywriter brain and inspire it to do more.

 

Persuasion

 

Using words to persuade people to buy something is the foundation of great copywriting. Reading books will improve your persuasion skills and convert your words into sales.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #17 & #18

 

27 Powers of Persuasion: Simple Strategies to Seduce Audiences & Win Allies by Chris St. Hilaire shows us that words can truly do anything. Words have meaning and are powerful. They can be used to spin any situation for good or bad. This is a must read for anyone looking to use words to spark action.

 

Triggers by Joseph Sugarman explores how to take an impossible situation and create an advantage. This copywriting book goes deep and explores how psychological triggers can motivate, influence and inspire change.

 

Marketing

 

Often marketing is the first thing cut from a corporate budget, but every business needs marketing to survive. Incorporating marketing into your copywriting can help your clients thrive and so will reading these copywriting

books.

Best Books on Copywriting #19 & #20

 

The Craft of Research by Wayne Booth shows us that a copywriter can write about anything, especially if they have good research skills. If you’re looking to break into copywriting or want to expand your copywriting knowledge, research is the key and can help add to your list of clients.

 

How to Lie With Statistics by Darrel Huff is another great research copywriting book to read. Numbers, statistics and figures are always readily available to support any argument. A good copywriter can swing their audience to any side if they know how to use statistics and research properly.

 

Thinking

 

 

The final category is thinking because any great copywriting brain is constantly thinking – even while sleeping. The copywriter brain never stops.

 

Best Books on Copywriting #21 & #22

 

Since we just listed 22 of the best copywriting books to read, it’s fitting that How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading is on the list. Reading and focusing on content does not come easily to everyone, but it’s important to learning more about copywriting. This copywriting book is a great resource on reading comprehension and will help everyone – even the non-reader.

 

My final book recommendation is How to Take Smart Notes because copywriting involves learning a little bit about lots of things. And, it all starts with great notetaking. Always remember that a good copywriter can write about anything just make sure you take good notes.

 

Best Books on Copywriting Bonus Tip

 

Compliment your book reading with more learning! Check out more articles on Copywriter Brain, take our new online course or join the Copywriter Brain community. Most importantly, start reading and begin your copywriting journey today!

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