13 Books To Help You Become A Better Copywriter

4 min read
Aug 2, 2017 10:11:07 AM

Writing is hard. Even for people who write for a living. But learning how to write better, and practicing, will improve your marketing efforts. No one ever read a boring email or blah blog post and decided that was good enough to sell them on a company. You can become a better copywriter with practice and a little advice from the experts in these books.  Become A Better Copywriter

  1. Kickass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps: Build The Buzz And Sell The Sizzle

By Susan Gunelius

This book will take you step-by-step to create marketing copy that works. Gunelius’s writing is accessible and engaging, and she includes plenty of real world examples. This is a great read for small business owners and non-writers, but will give anyone the fundamental tools and skills needed to become a better copywriter.

  1. The Online Copywriter’s Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Write Electronic Copy That Sells

By Robert Bly

The focus on writing for online audiences is what sets this read apart, but it also covers writing fundamentals that are helpful for writers at any level. Bly, who is an award-winning copywriter, also breaks down his advice into specific sections based on each type of web page, such as the home page, landing pages, “about us”, and even choosing your domain name.  

  1. The Elements of Style

By William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

This is a classic and timeless choice for good reason. It may be short in length, but this book packs a style punch. Strunk and White explain the principles of English style and provide easy to follow examples that will help you to maximize the impact of each word.

  1. Everybody Writes

By Ann Handley

Your writing tells your customers who you are, Handley says, and in a content-driven world, that matters more than ever. This book will teach you how to write better, provides grammar rules (for those of us who need a refresher from school), and includes resources and guidelines to help you produce better work.

  1. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

By Chip and Dan Heath

Chip and Dan Heath break down what exactly makes an idea “sticky” and what you can do to make your own ideas have more sticking power through techniques like creating “curiosity gaps” and using the “Velcro Theory of Memory.” This is an entertaining and practical book that will help you to become a better copywriter.  

  1. Empower Your Writing: Skills for Today’s Content Creator

By Farnoosh Brock

This is a practical guide that empowers you to think of yourself as a writer. Brock covers actionable habits and tips to improve your writing, as well as common errors to avoid. At the end of the book are questions designed to help you discover your unique voice as a writer.

  1. Scientific Advertising

By Claude Hopkins

This book was first published in 1923, but don’t let that stop you. It explores human psychology and how people respond to advertising, which is still relevant today. Although much of the book has been updated, the examples are original, which provides an interesting look into the history of advertising.

  1. Creating Fat Content: Boost Website Traffic with Visitor-Grabbing, Google-Loving Web Content

By Dr. Andy Williams

It’s no secret that Google has made major updates over the past few years, and will continue to do so. This book covers how these Google changes should impact your writing, but also reminds us that Google’s main goal is always to show searchers the type of content that they want to see. You’ll learn tips, strategies, and ideas for how to create this kind of content.  

  1. Ogilvy on Advertising

By David Ogilvy

David Ogilvy is an advertising legend. He provides insight into the industry, including helpful tips on both how to run an agency, and how to choose one for your business. The book shares guidance on writing successful copy and has sections to highlight advertising for B2B and nonprofit organizations.

  1. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

By Robert B. Cialdini

Cialdini explains the psychology behind what gets people to say “yes” and how to use those principles to become more persuasive. These concepts can be applied to all parts of business, while gaining a better understanding of how people think will help you to become a better copywriter.

  1. Persuasive Online Copywriting: How to Take Your Words to the Bank

By Bryan Eisenberg, Jeffrey Eisenberg, and Lisa Davis

Getting more leads is a challenge for all marketers. The copy on your website and other online channels needs to convince strangers that your company is the right choice. This book will help you to understand what works for online copy and why, and how you can make your own writing work for you.   

  1. Wired for Story

By Lisa Cron

Here is another book to help you understand the human brain. Cron reveals cognitive secrets that explain what the brain wants from the stories it encounters by examining different aspects of the brain in each chapter. You’ll learn how to apply this knowledge to your own storytelling and write engaging copy that people want to read.

  1.  This Book Will Teach You How to Write Better

By Neville Medhora

The straightforward title says it all and the tips and formulas in this book will help you to improve the performance of your writing. This is a quick and fun read that will show you how to increase conversion rates and make writing easier.


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