Great points Gordon!

I thought Misato was only on another marketing forum, not this one. Perhaps I missed her droppings here too?

Subtle...Jeffrey Dobkin actually teaches a night school marketing class in the Philly suburbs based on his marketing under $500 book.

I took it about 8 years ago and have an autographed copy of his book in my library. I had forgotten that one when I was making my list. It's quite good.

Mike

gjabiz,

Wow, I thought I was the only one that had read Lajos Egri and his "The Art of Dramatic Writing"

I remember being struck at his incredible analysis of the motive behind most motives. And how applicable this was to copy.

Even though it's not categorized as a marketing book I would add How To Win Friends and Influence People for 2 reasons:

1. Marketing is about influencing real, live people so understanding how to influence them makes a huge difference.

2. This book teaches foundational principles that never grow old.

When you're grounded in fundamentals you find it much easier to adapt to a changing marketplace.


It's also interesting to note that Eugene Schwartz recommended you read this book every couple of years and John Carlton also highly recommends it.

I suggest you read it at least 7 times.
The One Book You Must Read To Be A Great Copywriter

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
FREE Coffin To The First Drunk Driver To Kill Himself

I am a bit surprised to see these Kennedy books so high on the list. These are some pretty good books, but nothing compared to other books out there. Kennedy has some awesome stuff, I am just not amazed with these books specifically. I only question the ranking.

The Abraham and Sugarman books are really, really good.

This Christmas week I sat down with a book I have had for a while and have not read, until now.

It is one of the best copywriting books I have read...(uh-oh )

Tested Advertising Methods- Caples

Thanks Harlan et al, there's plenty more here for me to check out that I wasn't aware of -- it's much appreciated!

On my marketing list, I'd definitely include Influence: Science and Practice by Robert Cialdini -- for psychology that relates to marketing as well as sales and copy.

I'd also include Why We Buy -- The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill in a long book list, although it wouldn't be in my top 10. I think this is good to at least highlight how many factors are involved in retail buying (outside of copy) well beyond the influence of just getting someone to decide to purchase at a particular store.

Cheers,

General Marketing books:

• The 22 Immutable Rules Of Marketing
• The Irresistible Offer

Books on marketing YOURSELF & Your services:

• You, INC.
• What Clients Love
• Selling The Invisible
• Make It Happen Before Lunch

While not marketing specific, I do want to highly recommend the following:

• The Millionaire Next Door
• The Millionaire Mind
• How To Think Like A CEO
• The Politics Of Life
• E-Myth Mastery
• The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People
• Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive
• Pushing The Envelope All The Way To The Top
• Beware The Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt
• Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty

Happy hunting!

In case it wasn't mentioned before in all these replies: My Life in Advertising and Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins (search the NMOA.org website to get all chapters for free.

Also, "Tested Sentances that Sell" by Elmer Wheeler

I'll cast my vote for 12 Month millionaire by Vincent James, if you can find it, buy it!

Cant believe I forgot Wheeler! "Tested Sentences That Sell" and especially "Sizzlemanship" are absolute must-haves. If anyone doesn't have these yet, just do a quick Google search and you can download them both in PDF format.