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The Copywriter's Handbook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Copy That Sells

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The classic guide to copywriting, now in an entirely updated third edition
This is a book for everyone who writes or approves copy: copywriters, account executives, creative directors, freelance writers, advertising managers . . . even entrepreneursMore
The classic guide to copywriting, now in an entirely updated third edition
This is a book for everyone who writes or approves copy: copywriters, account executives, creative directors, freelance writers, advertising managers . . . even entrepreneurs and brand managers. It reveals dozens of copywriting techniques that can help you write ads, commercials, and direct mail that are clear, persuasive, and get more attention--and sell more products.
Among the tips revealed are
• eight headlines that work--and how to use them
• eleven ways to make your copy more readable
• fifteen ways to open a sales letter
• the nine characteristics of successful print ads
• how to build a successful freelance copywriting practice
• fifteen techniques to ensure your e-mail marketing message
is opened
This thoroughly revised third edition includes all new essential information for mastering copywriting in the Internet era, including advice on Web- and e-mail-based copywriting, multimedia presentations, and Internet research and source documentation, as well as updated resources. Now more indispensable than ever, The Copywriter's Handbook remains the ultimate guide for people who write or work with copy.

"I don't know a single copywriter whose work would not be improved by reading this book." --David Ogilvy Less

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Community Reviews

rated it liked it
almost 4 years ago

The three stars are because I imagine this book must be very helpful for those who write copy, yet I didn't find this book particularly useful nor engaging myself. I didn't find anything worth taking notes on.

My takeaways were:
Be clear.
Be brief.
Use understandable yet inc... Read full review

rated it it was ok
almost 4 years ago

As a professional software developer rather than a copywriter, my assessment may be unfair, but The Copywriters's Handbook disappointed me. My biggest writing desire is to write persuasively in the shortest amount of space. While the book did teach some of that, there was... Read full review

rated it liked it
over 2 years ago

Bly does exactly what he recommends - deliver the facts. I think I had to pause every other sentence just to think for a second and actually process the information. This is a textbook and therefore takes a lot of concentration. The information is excellent, however I giv... Read full review

rated it really liked it
almost 9 years ago
Recommends it for: advertising students, beginners in copywriting

I must say that this is a very handful book for advertising students as well as for beginners in copywriting. You can say this is a sort of a manual-book in copywriting. What I like about this book is that it provides wide examples of effective headlines, sub-headlines ev... Read full review

rated it it was amazing
about 4 years ago

You have to buy this book. You can't just check it out from your library. You will refer to it again and again if you plan to write for businesses. I think you should buy it if you are self-employed. It will teach you how to create a quick flier and save money. Then you c... Read full review

rated it it was amazing
over 4 years ago

This is coming from a non-English native in need of the basics to write web copy:

I really liked this book because it got to the point with examples; there's the usual MBA BS (the 4 Us: urgent, unique, useful and ULTRA-specific... wait... specific doesn't start with U :-)... Read full review

rated it really liked it
over 3 years ago

Great starting point, I can see why it's a classic. Vocalizes some of the things about writing you already knew, but assigns terminology to them. Good reference/brush-up book as well.

rated it really liked it
11 days ago

Get inside the mind of a guy who's been at this over 25 years. He's worked with multiple businesses in multiple industries. If you read nothing else in this book, read the section about headlines. The simple step-by-step process for headline creation is worth its weight i... Read full review

rated it liked it
5 months ago

Great stuff in the first half about copywriting, the rest is somewhat out of date by now.

rated it really liked it
3 months ago

The three stars are because I imagine this book must be very helpful for those who write copy, yet I didn't find this book particularly useful nor engaging myself. I didn't find anything worth taking notes on.

My takeaways were:
Be clear.
Be brief.
Use understandable yet inco... Read full review

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Book Details

Paperback, Third Edition, Revised and Expanded, 410 pages
Published April 4th 2006 by Holt Paperbacks (first published 1985
ISBN
0805078045 (ISBN13: 9780805078046)
Edition Language
English
Original Title
The Copywriter's Handbook: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells. Revised and Expanded

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Quotes

We are not in the business of being original. We are in the business of reusing things that work.
Direct marketing . . . is the only form of accountable advertising.
Bureau, consumers are exposed to more than twice as many ads today as fifteen years ago, but pay attention to only 20 percent more.