Hello Everyone,

I heard that "Advertising Secrets of the Written Word" & "The Adweek Copywriting Handbook" is the same book word-for-word?

The author is Joe Sugarman?

Is that true?

If they are the same why is one alot more expensive than the other?


Thanks in advance

The second is an update of the first. The first is a well-made hardcopy version and the second is a quality paperback. The original retailed for $39.95, but it looks like it is out of print if the price for used copies is any indication.

The Adweek Copywriting Handbook is a great read, i'd recommend it to anyone. Not really as hands on as robert blyes books in my opinion but still a great buy.

Thanks dddougal,

Would you suggest buying a Robert Bly book first for more detail?
I'm really new to this business and need some books with detailed instructions?

Some books just tell you what you can do and not how!

I would buy Robert bly's book, it takes you through the process's step by step. I cant praise it enough really.

of time and thousands of dollars. What is that mistake?

Buying "copywriting" books first, before you understand the "this business".

The business you are referring to is the Direct Response or Direct Marketing business. The mistake I've seen made for several years now is that a person who is NEW to this business, doesn't get a good grasp of how the business operates. In many instances, although not necessarily in yours, the newb is swayed by hypnotic, mesmerizing and amazing copy that promises a life of easy riches once you have picked up a few copy writing skills. ZAP.

That was the sound a bug makes when it flies into my patio "bug light", and it is a sound I hear daily online when someone points to one book or one site to get the answers they need for starting their __________ career.

Let's see, how many courses and books are there today on copywriting...good golly Molly, too many even here to count.

I think you should buy them all. If that is not realistic for you, then you should start, as, at the beginning...with a book on the industry, and how it works, preferably from someone who has done it.

There are many books written by writers, who have not worked in the industry, and that is fine, but doesn't it make more sense to begin on a solid foundation?

How can you write compelling copy, and expect to make "BIG" money from your ads if you don't understand the basic math behind the Direct Response industry? I don't think you can, unless you cater to just the Internet marketing crowd, who as a group, don't really concern themselves with numbers, just cashflow...and the exceptions in the IM field, are also the TOP Dogs because they are schooled on Direct Marketing and "get it".

OK? So what? There are several great referrals in the "sticky" topic of books.

Let me refer you to ONE such book (and again, I say buy them all or as many as you can afford, but if you are on a limited budget, there are only 5 you MUST have {in my opinion})...

First, get 7 Steps to Freedom II by Benjamin D. Suarez. It is a text book on the industry, with examples from his own career (now at 40 years and going strong) and complete sections on copywriting. Ben Suarez, as a copywriter, will not take a back seat to anyone. His proof? How about 500 employees and a 150 million dollar a year company with that sells scores of products via direct response techniques? That beats a screen shot of a paypal account doesn't it?

Second, Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz.

Then to round off your foundational education:

How to Get Rich in Mailorder by Melvin Powers.

Jeffrey Dobkin's Uncommon Marketing Techniques. And Dan Kennedy's The Ultimate Sales Letter.

This is just the beginning of your education, but after reading these 5 books and having them on your bookshelf to refer to often, you'll have a better grasp of the industry, how direct response works, and THEN you'll have a starting point to work from to develop your career skills.

Worst thing you can do, in my opinion, is to order a copywriting course or any copywriting book without first having a good grasp of the basics of Direct Marketing.

gjabiz

Thank you so much gjabiz & dddougal,

I really appreciate it.

I do understand I need to understand the business better, thats why I want to read as much as I can.

Thanks again

I wanted to order a few books this morning so I thought I'd show how cheaply you can get a good education on marketing.

The prices I paid are in red. I had bought Dan Kennedy's book a couple months ago and at 99 cents, I felt like I'd stolen the book.

My local library got Breakthrough Advertising for me. (thanks guys!)

The other three I bought this morning - thanks for the recommendations.

Total spent to acquire the knowledge in these five books, minus shipping - $7.15