I realize that one of things one must do to be a successful copywriter is to read extensively for news, ideas, etc. So what newpapers, magazines, etc. do you read on a regular basis and how do you get your reading time into your busy schedule?

Just curious.
/gfj

I read a lot, and I won't list everything here (who has time to read that? )... but one magazine I love and highly recommend is $1,000,000 (Millionaire) Blueprints.

http://www.millionaireblueprints.com/

It was mentioned in David Frey's newsletter (which I also read)... and he's published some great articles about marketing in it.

It has excellent and detail-specific features about people who succeeded in business... how they did it, what roadblocks they had to overcome, how they marketed themselves, resources others can use to do it, etc. As the name implies, "blueprints" to success.

The editor has a wonderful sense of humor, so I enjoy reading his responses to letters from readers almost as much as the articles.

Of particular note to copywriters -- the latest issue had a 2-page spread about Joe Sugarman's two most famous & successful ad campaigns (Blublocker sunglasses & vitamins). It included the print ads he wrote AND his commentary about how he wrote them (and his bio).

Advertisement analysis is going to be a regular feature.

Re: finding time to read -- I make it a habit to read a little bit (about 15 minutes) every morning as I'm eating breakfast, before I head off to work.

I need to check out the magazine mentioned above! Sounds great.

Anywase,

I find reading the headlines and such from the enquierer is great swipe source...among others.

I also read all the junk mail I get from all the lists I've bought from

That's where the GOLD is!

Outside of that I read these books regularly:

Robert Colliers Letter Book

Influence: Science and Practice

Jesus the Magician

Flatland

Bhagada Gita: As it is

Anything by Emile Durkhiem I can get my hands on

The writings of Karl Marx



Thos books above give a LOT of information into human nature and perception. They give more information than any marketing book can, bar none....well besides the marketing book named.

Sociology is the greatest science (or is it art?) in the aid of any other social science (such as marketing).

If you understand perception, understand sociolization....you can sell to anyone. Simple as that.

-Dave

Thanks for the great resources. I hope others will contribute as well.

/gfj

A little communication theory couldn't hurt, either. Perhaps some uses and gratifications research in mass media, for example, if relevant to your market.

Here's an example why: One famous study (in the field) analyzed people's "Film Preferences Following a Murder" in a college town a few decades ago. The researcher happened to be nearby following the real-life murder and saw how people picked certain movies to manipulate their own emotional states.

But uses & grats research finds that there are plenty of unintended consequences to our media exposure. We watch some film or read something to get one effect (fun, sadness, action, companionship, etc.), but get another...

... which is of OBVIOUS use to the copywriter. Hook the reader with the offer, promise of information or emotional appeal, but then a really good copywriter (and I'm well away from this skill level yet) will subtlely shift gears (maybe for a hostile/resistant audience) to sneak in other appeals and get the job done.

Also, teaching public speaking and audience analysis (and reading related material) has helped me stay focused on audience perceptions, needs, etc.

If this appeals to you and opens up a curious new area, check out Steven Littlejohn's basic intro book Theories of Human Communication (or something like that) in multiple editions, most of which are probably pretty cheap for a textbook.

Alex Stiner

I've recently become hooked on "New Scientist" magazine. I don't agree with their political slant most of the time, but the science is intriguing, and there's fascinating tidbits I can sometimes work into copy.

Last week I picked up two books. The first one is kind of marketing related called "The Sales Bible: The Ultimate Sales Resource, Revised Edition" (by Jeffrey Gitomer). I really like the layout of the book. The designer made it visually exciting compared to most text only books. If I were ever to write a book, I'd have this one close by to use as an inspirational guide for the layout.

The second book I bought isn't marketing related at all. It's "The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason" (by Sam Harris). Awesome book...but, painful to read if you're very religious. I like books that take me, on occasion, out of my comfort zone.

J,

I love that book! Sam Harris is absolutely brilliant. I just bought Bryan Flemming's video in which Sam Harris is one of the experts being interviewed. There are extended interviews in the special features, and about 40-some minutes with Sam Harris. Awesome stuff.

Here's the video:
http://www.thegodmovie.com/

(Apologies for highjacking the thread.)

Dan Kennedy's print newsletter is worth 10 times the price. You can get a free 3 month trial at his web site (www.dankennedy.com).

WARNING: once you start receiving it - you won't be able to stop (at least if direct response marketing results are important to you).

It is packed with real life copy examples, different ideas for unusual promotions, success stories from the trenches, and information you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

Honestly, when I get that package in the mail every month - I shut off the phone and computer and read through it 3 times - taking notes as I go. Invaluable info you won't find anywhere else - online or off.

You typically get 12 pages of solid content, another 8 pages or so of advertising examples, seperate one pagers full of content (and if you also subscribe to his info marketing newsletter and his marketing to the affluent newsletters - both highly recommended - you get another 8-12 pages of usable, rare, information you can put into place immediately)

Dan is one of the main influences behind most of the highly successful marketers you hear about.

My 2 cents anyhow.

Read What You Want To Become... and ... Read less!

Al x x x