Copywriting

I would like to learn copywriting in order to sell informational products through direct mail. What are some of the best books (in your opinion) that you have read on the subject?

Mike,

The best book to start with is also inexpensive: The Ultimate Sales Letter, by Daniel S. Kennedy (aka Dan Kennedy).

Not sure what it costs now, but probably less than $15. And it's more useful (and informative) than most of the overhyped and overpriced copywriting courses and ebooks you read about on the internet.

James wrote -

> The best book to start with is also
> inexpensive: The Ultimate Sales Letter, by
> Daniel S. Kennedy (aka Dan Kennedy).

> Not sure what it costs now, but probably
> less than $15. And it's more useful (and
> informative) than most of the overhyped and
> overpriced copywriting courses and ebooks
> you read about on the internet.

I have to agree with you there. (I'm looking at my copy as I write this.)

Another gem is "How to Write A Good Advertisement" by Victor Schwab. While not specifically about sales letters, there's some great info in there. Again, it was inexpensive.

Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"


The Online Home of Guerrilla Product Developers

Another good source is the work of Gary Halbert. He has written lots of books and newsletter articles. The link below is a good place to browse some of his older newsletters.


Gary Halbert newsletter articles

Hi Mike,

You're getting some very good suggestions here.... I agree, I've read some or all of what's been mentioned here, and they are all very good. I think you can never read too much!

I have two more suggestions for you....

ONE is "Remote Hypnosis" by Gordon Alexander. His approach to copywriting is completely unique, yet so easy and quick to apply, that you will be able to apply it within a couple hours of reading it. If you are a busy person and need something you can apply quickly, then in my opinion Remote Hypnosis is the best way to go.

It also has what is arguably the most generous UNCONDITIONAL money-back guarantee online. Find out more at http://www.sowpub.com/rh.shtml

Here is what someone wrote about it recently on another forum....

"Remote Hypnosis is pure genius Gordon. It is excellent material and makes all the sense in the World. I found it easy to read and easy to apply too." (From http://www.the-illuminati.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?read=482 .)

Another book I like is Joseph Sugarman's "Advertising Secrets of the Written Word." In my opinion, it's also great!

Good luck! :)

- Dien Rice

Yes, I have to agree.Gordon Alexander's "Remote Hypnosis" is excellent and worth the purchase price.

Ken Dimmick

> Hi Mike,

> You're getting some very good suggestions
> here.... I agree, I've read some or all of
> what's been mentioned here, and they are all
> very good. I think you can never read too
> much!

> I have two more suggestions for you....

> ONE is "Remote Hypnosis" by Gordon
> Alexander. His approach to copywriting is
> completely unique, yet so easy and quick to
> apply, that you will be able to apply it
> within a couple hours of reading it. If you
> are a busy person and need something you can
> apply quickly, then in my opinion Remote
> Hypnosis is the best way to go.

> It also has what is arguably the most
> generous UNCONDITIONAL money-back guarantee
> online. Find out more at
> http://www.sowpub.com/rh.shtml Here is
> what someone wrote about it recently on
> another forum....

> "Remote Hypnosis is pure genius Gordon.
> It is excellent material and makes all the
> sense in the World. I found it easy to read
> and easy to apply too." (From
> http://www.the-illuminati.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?read=482
> .)

> Another book I like is Joseph Sugarman's
> "Advertising Secrets of the Written
> Word." In my opinion, it's also great!

> Good luck! :)

> - Dien Rice

When I began learning copywriting after a decade of writing for national magazines, the two resources most helpful to me were:

THE GREATEST DIRECT MAIL SALES LETTERS OF ALL TIME - this is a looseleaf collection published by Dartnell and it's just terrific. Look for Dartnell's Web site and I believe they still sell it.

Anything by Herschell Gordon Lewis - a master of words as used in direct mail.

Good luck!

Marcia Yudkin


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