Looking for the BEST copywriting books to learn copywriting as a beginner? Well, you're in the RIGHT place!
When I first started getting into copywriting I learned the majority of my copywriting skills from good ole books (no lie!)
Whether you're a beginner looking to grasp the basics or an experienced copywriter looking to refine your skills, the copywriting books listed below cater to every skill level. Even with AI on the rise, copywriters are NEEDED and there is no better time to learn the skill than now.
By immersing yourself in these resources, you'll not only gain a solid foundation on words that convert, but also stay updated on industry best practices, ensuring your copy remains fresh, effective, and relevant.
Let’s dive into the best copywriting books!
1.) Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
"The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert B. Cialdini is an exploration into the psychology of human decision-making. You’ll learn key principles such as reciprocity, commitment, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. These insights are directly applicable to crafting compelling copy that converts!
Key Learnings:
Reciprocity: Create a sense of obligation by providing value upfront.
Commitment and Consistency: Guide the audience through small commitments to increase positive responses to calls to action.
Social Proof: Incorporate testimonials and reviews to enhance credibility.
Authority and Liking: Position yourself as an authority figure and build personal connections for trust.
Scarcity: Use scarcity to create urgency and prompt immediate action.
Application to Copywriting:
This book is a practical guide for mastering the art of persuasion in copywriting which is why it's on my best copywriting books list. By understanding the psychology behind decision-making and WHY people click that 'Buy Now" button, you’ll gain the tools to craft influential messages that resonate with your audience and drive action!
Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a new copywriter, I'd highly recommend adding this book to your 'must read now list.' Buy on Amazon!
2.): On Writing Well by William Zinsser
"On Writing Well" by William Zinsser is a guide that teaches the essential principles for clear, concise, and effective copywriting. It's a timeless must-have for any aspiring copywriter, offering foundational insights and easy to follow strategies that will elevate your writing skills.
Key Learnings:
Clarity and Simplicity:Â Zinsser emphasizes the importance of clarity and simplicity in writing. Learn how to convey complex ideas in a straightforward manner, a crucial skill for creating copy that resonates with diverse audiences.
Eliminating Clutter:Â The book guides readers on cutting unnecessary words and eliminating clutter from their writing. You'll discover techniques to streamline your messages, ensuring every word serves a purpose.
Voice and Tone:Â Zinsser explores the significance of developing a unique voice and appropriate tone. Gain insights into crafting messages that not only inform but also connect with your target audience on a personal level.
Precision in Language:Â The book advocates for precision in language, encouraging you to choose words carefully. You'll learn how to convey your messages with accuracy and impact, avoiding ambiguity and misunderstandings.
Application to Copywriting
The principles from "On Writing Well" directly translate into effective copywriting. You can apply these key learnings to create content that is not only persuasive but also clear, engaging, and tailored to the needs of your audience.
If you want to be a better copywriter, this is the book for you!
3. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
"Everybody Writes" by Ann Handley is a comprehensive guide tailored online marketing, providing practical advice to enhance online copywriting skills. Learn how to create compelling content for blogs, and social media so your words attract, resonate, and convert.
Key Learnings:
Content Creation Mastery:Â Handley dives into the art of creating compelling content that captivates online audiences. You'll learn how to craft engaging narratives, storytelling, and deliver high value.
Blogging Strategies:Â The book explores effective blogging techniques, from structuring posts to maintaining a consistent and authentic voice. You'll learn how to leverage blogging as a powerful tool to build trust with your audience and present yourself as an authority in your niche.
Social Media Excellence:Â Handley provides practical advice on navigating the social media landscape. Discover strategies for creating shareable content, building a social media presence, and engaging with your audience across various platforms.
Practical Writing Tips:Â "Everybody Writes" is filled with practical writing tips for the online marketing. Learn how to write attention-grabbing headlines, optimize for search engines, and adapt your writing style to different online social channels.
Application to Copywriting
The insights from "Everybody Writes" are directly applicable to online copywriting. Whether you're crafting website copy, social media posts, or blog content, Handley's guidance will equip you with the tools to create content strategically for socials!
4. This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
"This Is Marketing" by Seth Godin serves as a goldmine for modern marketers, offering profound insights into contemporary marketing strategies. Godin's guidance goes beyond conventional approaches, providing you with the tools to connect with your audience authentically and craft stories that resonate. I've added this book to my best copywriting books list because of it's modern approach to marketing strategies!
Key Learnings:
Audience Connection:Â Godin emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting with your audience on a deeper level. Learn how to identify and address the specific needs, desires, and challenges of your target market.
Storytelling Mastery:Â The book explores the art of storytelling as a powerful marketing tool. You'll gain insights into crafting narratives that resonate emotionally, fostering a genuine connection with your audience.
Permission Marketing:Â Godin introduces the concept of permission marketing, challenging traditional interruption-based strategies. Understand how to earn the permission of your audience and create marketing messages that are anticipated, personal, and relevant.
Tribes and Community Building:Â "This Is Marketing" explores the formation of tribes and communities. Discover strategies for building loyal communities around your brand and leveraging the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
Application to Copywriting
The insights from "This Is Marketing" are directly applicable to shaping modern marketing strategies. You can apply these modern techniques to create campaigns that are not only effective but also resonate with the values and aspirations of your target audience.
5. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
"StoryBrand" by Donald Miller is a captivating journey into storytelling in copywriting. Miller unfolds the power of narrative, guiding readers on the art of crafting compelling stories that not only captivate but also drive engagement with the audience.
Key Learnings:
The Power of Storytelling:Â Miller highlights the transformative impact of storytelling in copywriting. You'll gain insights into how narrative can be a potent tool for creating memorable and resonant messages. And, let's be real - storytelling marketing is TRENDING! It's key to create connections that stick!
Compelling Narrative Creation:Â The book explores the elements of a compelling narrative. Learn how to structure your copy to tell a story that not only captures attention but also guides your audience through a journey that leads to engagement.
Clarity in Messaging:Â "StoryBrand" emphasizes the importance of clarity in messaging. Discover how to communicate your brand's message in a way that is simple, clear, and resonates with the desires and challenges of your target audience.
Customer-Centric Approach:Â The book encourages a customer-centric approach to storytelling. Gain insights into how to position your audience as the hero of the story, creating a connection that fosters loyalty.
Application to Copywriting
The principles from "StoryBrand" are directly related to copywriting. Learn how to infuse storytelling into your messages, creating content that not only captures attention and encourages conversions. Storytelling is one of the most effective ways to create connection and build trust with your audience, which is why it's on my best copywriting book list!
6. Contagious by Jonah Berger
"Contagious: Why Things Catch On" by Jonah Berger goes over the science of creating contagious content. Berger unravels the secrets behind making your copy go viral online.
Key Learnings
The Science of Virality:Â Berger explores the psychological and social factors that contribute to the virality of content. You'll gain insights into the principles that make certain ideas contagious and shareable.
STEPPS Framework: The book introduces the STEPPS framework—Social Currency, Triggers, Emotion, Public, Practical Value, and Stories. Learn how to apply these principles to your copy, creating content that is more likely to be shared and talked about.
Understanding Triggers: Berger explores the concept of triggers—cues that prompt people to think about and share certain ideas. Discover how to strategically incorporate triggers into your copy to keep your brand top of mind.
Emotional Resonance:Â "Contagious" emphasizes the role of emotion in driving sharing behavior. Gain insights into how to evoke the right emotions in your audience, making your copy more shareable and memorable.
Application to Copywriting
You can utilize the principles outlined in the book to create content that not only captures attention but also has the potential to go viral, increase shares, and leave a lasting impression.
7. Copywriting Secrets by Jim Edwards
"Copywriting Secrets" by Jim Edwards is a treasure trove of proven strategies for writing copy that converts. Edwards shares practical tips and techniques to optimize your writing, providing a comprehensive guide to achieving sales through persuasive copy.
Key Learnings
Proven Conversion Strategies:Â Edwards reveals time-tested strategies for writing copy that drives conversions. You'll gain insights into the elements that make copy effective in persuading and compelling the audience to take action.
Practical Tips for Optimization: Edwards provides practical and actionable advice on crafting headlines, structuring content, and employing psychological triggers that resonate with the target audience.
Understanding the Buyer's Journey: "Copywriting Secrets" explores the buyer's journey. Learn how to align your copy with the stages of the customer's decision-making process, ensuring your messages are relevant and impactful.
Effective Persuasion Techniques: Edwards shares effective persuasion techniques, exploring the psychology behind influencing reader behavior. Gain insights into creating copy that not only communicates features and benefits but also motivates readers to make purchasing decisions.
Application to Copywriting
Use the strategies outlined in this book to create exciting, compelling, and persuasive copy that drives conversions. If you want to be a great copywriter, you need to learn conversion copywriting technique and this book provides details on how to write words that convert.
8. Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy
"Ogilvy on Advertising" by David Ogilvy is a timeless masterpiece that provides invaluable insights from the advertising legend himself. Ogilvy shares principles and strategies that have not only stood the test of time but continue to shape the world of copywriting, making this book a MUST HAVE guide for copywriters AND marketers!
Key Learnings:
Scientific Advertising Principles: Ogilvy emphasizes the importance of research and data-driven decision-making in advertising. Learn how to apply scientific principles to understand consumer behavior and create effective campaigns.
Compelling Headlines and Copy: The book explores the art of crafting compelling headlines and copy. Ogilvy provides insights into writing messages that capture attention, communicate effectively, and resonate with the target audience.
Brand Image and Positioning: Ogilvy dives into the creation of a strong brand image and effective positioning. You'll gain strategies for building a brand that stands out and occupies a distinct place in the minds of consumers.
Testing and Measurement: "Ogilvy on Advertising" advocates for the importance of testing and measuring advertising effectiveness. Discover how to refine your copywriting through systematic testing and analysis to ensure optimal impact.
Application to Copywriting
The insights from "Ogilvy on Advertising" are directly applicable to the field of copywriting. You can apply Ogilvy's tested principles to create impactful campaigns and persuasive messages that resonate with audiences. This is an oldie but a goodie! Add it to your best copywriting book must-reads!
9. The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert W. Bly
"The Copywriter's Handbook" by Robert W. Bly is a comprehensive guide that goes over the essentials of copywriting. Bly provides insights and strategies, on the art of crafting compelling headlines, creating persuasive content, and tailoring messages for various mediums. This was on of the FIRST copywriting books I bought and I still refer to it!
Key Learnings
Headlines: Bly emphasizes the importance of compelling headlines and why you should spend most of your time crafting a strategic headline. You'll gain insights into crafting headlines that not only capture attention but also set the stage for persuasive messages.
Persuasive Content Creation: Bly provides practical tips on structuring copy, using language effectively, and incorporating psychological triggers to influence reader behavior.
Adaptability to Different Mediums: Whether writing for print, online, or other channels, you'll learn how to tailor your messages to maximize impact for copywriting on different channels and social mediums.
Understanding the Target Audience:Â "The Copywriter's Handbook" explores the significance of understanding your target audience. Bly provides strategies for conducting effective research and crafting messages that resonate with the desires and needs of your target audience.
Application to Copywriting
Use Bly's comprehensive guide to enhance your skills in crafting messages that effectively communicate and persuade your audience. Also, this easy to follow format makes it a pretty quick read.
10. Cashvertising by Drew Eric Whitman (this one is my favorite!)
"Cashvertising" by Drew Eric Whitman is a compelling exploration into the psychology of consumer behavior and one of my absolute FAVORITE marketing books! Whitman uncovers the secrets of creating persuasive copy that not only grabs attention but also builds trust and ultimately drives sales.
Key Learnings
Psychological Triggers:Â Whitman dives into the psychological triggers that influence consumer behavior. Readers gain insights into leveraging emotions, desires, and fears to create copy that resonates deeply with the target audience.
Attention-Grabbing Techniques:Â The book explores practical techniques for grabbing and holding the audience's attention. Whitman provides actionable strategies for crafting headlines and messages that stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Building Trust Through Copy:Â "Cashvertising" emphasizes the importance of building trust through copy. You'll learn how to establish credibility, address objections, and create a connection that fosters trust and loyalty among consumers.
Driving Sales with Persuasive Techniques:Â Whitman shares techniques for persuading consumers to take action. Whether it's making a purchase, signing up, or engaging with the brand, you'll gain practical insights into driving desired outcomes through persuasive copy.
Application to Copywriting
You can leverage Whitman's psychological principles and practical techniques to create copy that not only captures attention but also leads to tangible results. Also, he includes so many examples or step by step frameworks which makes this book so digestible and easy to read / understand.
Ready to Start Reading The Best Copywriting Books?
Whether you're uncovering the psychology behind persuasion, mastering the essentials of clear and effective writing, or exploring the secrets of virality -- each book serves as a valuable tool in your copywriting (or marketing) tool kit!
If you are interested in starting a copywriting career and need some 1:1 guidance, check out my copywriting coaching packages! 3 tiers of copywriting coaching to meet you right where you are on your journey.
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