Business Books

Best Copywriting Books From Gary Halbert

I have seen various lists of books from top marketing men recently and I've decided to start sharing these lists with you.

Where better to start with the late, great Gary Halbert and the copywriting books and resources that he recommended to his followers.

Here is the list and Gary Halbert says that you need to read each of these one after each other, very quickly. No notes or anything. Then read again and take your time to note properly on your second reading.

Gary wasn't shy so it's no surprise that it includes two of his own resources...but I think they'd be on the list of essential copywriting resources from most of the truly great copywriters.

Triggers Joe Sugarman Review

Triggers by Joe Sugarman

Review Rating - 4.5 Stars

Triggers is a terrific book by Joe Sugarman, one of the leading direct marketers in the world who uses these very factors to make a fortune in direct response mail order advertising.

In fact I wish that I had read it years ago.

The sub-title of Triggers explains the purpose -  "30 Sales Tools You Can Use To Control The Mind of your Prospect to Motivate, Influence and Persuade".

(Update - April 2011 I have just heard about a free mp3 interview of Joe Sugarman taking about Triggers - Triggers mp3 - affiliate link - over 4 hours of amazing tips)

Claude Hopkins Scientific Advertising

Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins

Book Review Rating - 4 Stars

Scientific Advertising is considered to be an all time classic direct response advertising and copywriting book and when you read it, you can see what a big influence Claude Hopkins has been on Jay Abraham.

The book is over eighty years old and its contents is still very relevant today.

Tested Advertising Methods John Caples Review

Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples

Review - 4.5 Stars

I have just finished reading "Tested Advertising Methods : Fifth Edition" by John Caples and revised by Fred E. Hahn.

No wonder it is considered a direct response marketing classic.

Apart from a little too much repetition, I think it is a terrific book.

Copywriter's Handbook Bob Bly Review

The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert Bly

Review - 4 Stars

The Copywriter's Handbook: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells by Robert W. Bly (better known in the copywriting world as Bob Bly) is considered to be a modern classic.

Advertising legend David Ogilvy wrote "I don't know a single copywriter whose work would not be improved by reading this book. And that includes me."

Hypnotic Writing Joe Vitale Review

Hypnotic Writing by Joe Vitale

Book Review - 2.5 Stars

I had looked at "Hypnotic Writing: How To Seduce and Persuade Customers With Your Own Words" by Joe Vitale a number of times in the shop before I bought it.

I was certainly intrigued and Joe Vitale has created a great brand using the word hypnotic. Who doesn't want their marketing and copywriting to put prospective copywriters in a buying trance?

But when I read Hypnotic Writing I was very disappointed.

Ultimate Sales Letter Dan Kennedy

The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy

Book Review - 4.5 Stars

Some months ago I promised a review of my much thumbed copy of "The Ultimate Sales Letter: Boost Your Sales With Powerful Sales Letters" by notoriously plain talking world class copywriter Dan Kennedy.

When I look at my copy it shows all the signs of use, spine cracked, various lines in the book underlined in different colours, sections asterisked and comments in the margin.

"The Ultimate Sales Letter" is a book I go back to when I am preparing to write a sales letter because it is a) very good and b) very well organised.

Dan Kennedy has identified 28 steps in the process of preparing the ultimate sales letter but he is preparing you to send mail which will be sent to tens of thousands of prospective customers rather than your top 100 to 200 local prospects.