Just a few days ago, I got my first installment of AWAI's six figue course. I'm suddenly remembering how much I've always hated school.

So I'm looking for alternatives. Any suggestions on how a beginner can learn to write good copy would be much obliged.

Tom,

Try some of these books:

The Copywriter's Handbook and Selling Your Services by Robert W. Bly
Advertising Secrets of the Written Word by Joe Sugarman
Influence: The Pschology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdinis, Ph.D.
Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got by Jay Abraham

AWAI is a basic course. These books will take you beyond the basics. I also like corporate writing, so I enjoy Peter Bowerman's The Well-Fed Writer books.

There are many more, but these are some great ones to begin with.

Good luck!

Deb

Cool Deb, thanks for the suggestions. I will check them out to be sure. Coincidentally, I just ordered the Cialdini Persuasion book from Amazon a few hours ago.

Tom,
Are you interested in copywriting as a career or as a way to become a better marketer?

The reason I ask is because if you want to become a copywriter, you really should have a strong desire for reading. If you hate to read, then there is a good chance you'll (eventually) hate to write. It won't take you long to burn out.

If you are only interested in learning copywriting to help improve your own products, then I say just get a basic knowledge of copywriting.

This way when you "hire" a copywriter to do the work, you'll at least know whether the person you are hiring knows his or her stuff.

As far as alternatives to AWAI go...

There are many great books and courses on copywriting. If you dig through this site you'll find some of them.

Although I haven't gotten it myself (yet), one of the biggest courses talked about by others on this board is the John Carlton copywriting course. If the AWAI course looks a little boring, you might want to try John's out instead.

Basic course eh? That's not what they keep telling me.

Tom,

Many of us--myself included--have the AWAI course. It's basic. The people who market the course are copywriters, and I can credit them for lighting a fire under my arse. (I first began copywriting a long time ago and "took a break" that lasted too long. The copy from the AWAI course inspired me to take action, which is what good copy does.)

HOWEVER, if you're really serious about this biz, Stephen Davies gave you a good suggestion. You can also cut your learning curve by getting a mentor.

Make sure you study both the writing and marketing aspects of this business. Bob Bly's books are great for learning to sell youself. Our very own Michel Fortin has some awesome stuff, too. Check out his sites.

Stephen, thanks for the info, I will google the John Carlton course.

Yes I like to read. I am interested in copywriting as a career, although I'm more interested in online stuff than direct mail. I don't know how much difference there is between the two really. I'm not ruling out direct mail, I just don't really know much about it. I have been involved in web development in one form or another since 2000, so online copy seems like the natural direction for me.

The exciting thing, is even this first book they sent from AWAI I have learned stuff and I'm not even finished with it yet. I'm not knocking the material at all, but I'm having trouble motivating myself to do the assignments. Read the letter aloud 10 ten times and then copy it by hand 3 times. Is that really necessary, lol?

Tom,
I know what you mean about the repetition. Although many think it's junk psychology, I believe I have a case of ADD. At the very least, I have a very short attention span, so the AWAI course was beyond boring for me (ie - the repetition stuff).

I will tell ya though, many copywriter coaches will tell you that "handwriting" proven winner sales letters is a great way to get the rythm and feel for how to write like a pro.

Ditto on the ADD...I've got five browsers open right now, which is probably about average for me.

Tom--you might want to check out Yanik's package. Great stuff. I found it to be the best value for the $$$.

Yanik Silver’s Ultimate Copywriting Workshop

PM me and I'll give you a secret code to get $200 off.