Two Young Ladies Enter a Bar…

Books for aspiring copywriters.

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Two young ladies enter a bar join the #pd-writers Slack channel…
Both copywriters are thirsty for beer and wine knowledge and wisdom.
They ask the bartender their Creative Director:

Can you recommend a few books to read in our journey to become an epic copywriter?

She replies (in Slack):

As per your request, below is a list of books (related to our profession) I highly recommend.
While this is not an exhaustive list of books I’ve valued over the years, I can say with certainty these books have influenced me as a creative, copywriter, writer, marketer, strategist, and business communicator.
As I continue reading books on the below subject matters, I’ll keep the list updated.

“In Slack?!” 🤦 The narrator asks himself and then proceeds to copy the conversation…

…And adds it to the company’s website.

Her list…

The clearest English style guides out there:

  • The Elements of Style – William Strunk Jr, E.B. White, Kalman (illustrated edition)

Books on creativity:

  • Steal Like An Artist – Austin Kleon
  • It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be – Paul Arden
  • Creative Confidence – Tom Kelley, David Kelley

Books on copywriting:

  • The Boron Letters – Gary Halbert
  • Scientific Advertising – Claude Hopkins
  • Ogilvy on Advertising – David Ogilvy
  • The Letter Book – Robert Collier
  • The Halbert Copywriting Method: Part III – Bond Halbert

Books on writing:

  • The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
  • Turning Pro – Steven Pressfield
  • Do The Work – Steven Pressfield
  • On Writing Well – William Zinsser
  • On Writing – Stephen King
  • Bird by Bird – Anne Lamott
  • Right to Write – Julia Cameron
  • Writing That Works – Kenneth Roman, Joel Raphaelson

Books on marketing:

  • The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding – Al Ries & Laura Ries
  • The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing – Al Ries & Jack Trout
  • Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind – Al Ries & Jack Trout

The narrator asks in Slack:
“What category would you add How To Win Friends & Influence People?”
“What else you got, Lan?” 🧐
She replies:
“I’d categorize it under “Communication & Relationships”. It’s a great book that is also important for writing because of the communication & relationship aspect.”

Communication & Relationships:

  • How to Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie (published 1936)
The Author

Pierre Monké
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