Best Copywriting Books: 25 Essential Reads for Writing Words That Sell

Discover the best copywriting books filled with copywriting secrets from the world’s best freelance copywriters that help beginners become great copywriters.

Learning how to become a great copywriter can feel like a daunting task. As the blank page stares back at you, deciding where and how to start can feel impossible. Luckily, learning how to create the perfect sales page, landing page, and ad copy is possible for anyone with the help of the copywriting secrets shared by the authors in the books in this post. Whether you’re a seasoned writer looking to improve your skills or a beginner planning to become the top freelance SEO copywriter, these 25 books will help you achieve your goals. These copywriting books will help you understand every part of the job, including your target market, market writing sales pages, and converting leads into customers.

1. The Boron Letters by Gary Halbert

The Boron Letters is a series of correspondence by famous (and now deceased) direct response marketer Gary Halbert, to his son Bond during his time…. wait for it…in prison! His letters are an insightful guide into the realm of direct response marketing, sales, and copywriting. Gary writes eloquently about understanding customers’ wants and needs, the role of a well-crafted mailing list, the importance of an enticing offer, and the necessity for clear, persuasive copy. It’s a fun, breezy read, despite the setting.

“Everyone wants to climb the mountain, but the big difference between those at the top and those still on the bottom is simply a matter of showing up tomorrow to give it just one more shot.”

Gary Halbert

2. Confessions of An Advertising Man by David Ogilvy

The advertising industry heavyweight David Ogilvy is the founder of the Ogilvy and Mather advertising firm and is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern advertising and copywriting. In his semi-autobiographical book Confessions of An Advertiser, Ogilvy shares some of the copywriting secrets that supported his breakthrough advertising firm’s success. The book is undoubtedly one of the best for copywriters looking to improve their content marketing skills. The book covers several areas of advertising, including copywriting, people management, and corporate ethics. As a result, this is a must-read if you plan to start your own advertising firm and employ other copywriters.

“Much of the messy advertising you see on television today is the product of committees. Committees can criticize advertisements, but they should never be allowed to create them.”

David Ogilvy

3. Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz

The advertising methods and content marketing insights in Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz are indispensable to anyone in the industry. The book gives insights into how you can write more persuasive copy by exploring human behavior and psychology. If you want to write a good copy that converts and draws people towards your products and services, consider reading Schwartz’s book.

Although the book was published in 1966, it still holds valuable lessons for modern-day copywriters, with many of its scientific advertising principles directly impacting social media copywriting. If you’re a copywriter producing copy for social media and want to improve your client conversion rate, add Breakthrough Advertising to your reading list.

“No sentence can be effective if it contains facts alone. It must also contain emotion, image, logic, and promise.”

Eugene Schwartz

4. Scientific Advertising by Claude C. Hopkins

Although Scientific Advertising was published in 1923, it is still one of the best copywriting books and, without a doubt, an important read for content marketers looking to improve their copy.

Claude C. Hopkins was an American author and advertising pioneer who developed several of the 20th century’s most successful copywriting secrets. He contributed massively to the use of test campaigns and direct mail. Although technology has changed how we write and read, Hopkins’ ideas can all be applied for use in social media, email, and other 20th-century marketing mediums.

His work used samples and tests to better understand the client and consumer. Once you have the fundamental information, you can create better advertising copy. This copybook will help you focus your copywriting and tap into the needs and desires of your market.

“Use pictures only to attract those who may profit you. Use them only when they form a better selling argument than the same amount of space set in type.”

Claude C. Hopkins

5. The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy

Dan Kennedy’s The Ultimate Sales Letter is all about persuasive writing, which is a skill that cuts right to the heart of good copywriting. This book is a great read if you want to increase your conversion rate and impress clients with the effectiveness of your marketing copy.

Dan Kennedy understood that good advertisement copy can only be written if you understand your audience. As a result, his book is broken down into two sides one discusses how to gather information about the target market, and the second is filled with copywriting secrets that will help you become a great copywriter. The book reads like a guide, so it’s perfect for newbies looking for step-by-step copywriting instructions and beginner direct marketers.

“Always enter the conversation already occurring in the customer’s mind.”

Dan Kennedy

No products found.

6. Influence: Science and Practice by Robert Cialdini

Good marketing and copywriting are all about psychology. The most successful copywriters have taken the time to understand the consumer and the psychology that drives their decisions. Robert Cialdini’s Influence: Science and Practice is a guide to consumer psychology.

Cialdini’s theory is that people rely on decisions making processes that, once understood, can be leveraged to improve advertising methods. By applying Cialdini’s scientific theories to your copywriting, you can increase your persuasiveness and, therefore, the probability of generating clicks and sales.

The book is broken down into seven key principles, and Cialdini creates a running narrative of how to become more convincing without being unethical. If you write sales copy, then this is a must-read.

“The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.”

Robert Cialdini

7. 2001 Greatest Headlines Ever Written by Carl Galletti

If you’ve ever worked in a newsroom, you’ll know that an editor will bin even the best story in the world if it doesn’t have a great headline. This golden rule of journalism is applicable to copywriting, and that’s why 2001 Greatest Headlines Ever Written by Carl Galleti, is a worthwhile read for aspiring copywriters.

The book is broken down into several sections, including ‘Headlines For Selling Subscriptions’ and ‘Headlines For Selling Books. Although this book isn’t going to offer you a step-by-step writing guide, it will act as a personal swipe file that offers inspiration to improve your headlines.

“The Headline is the single most important resource in all of your copy, be it a web page, email etc.”

Carl Galletti

8. The Everything Guide to Writing Copy by Steve Slaunwhite

If you aren’t sure where to start with copywriting, then The Everything Guide to Writing Copy by Steve Slaunwhite is a great place to start. Slaunwhite’s book is a step-by-step guide covering all major media formats, including print, web, and radio. The book shares dozens of copywriting secrets and focuses on writing persuasive copy with zero fluff. This guide will explain some of the lesser-known tricks used by expert copywriters and cover some of the basic mistakes that a freelance writer who has just started out might commit.

This copywriting book is a good choice for anyone starting out in the field. If you’re a marketer on a budget, it’s also a good choice as it covers the basics of copywriting.

Not surprisingly, then, the top two traits of successful copywriters are:
• The ability to work well under pressure
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Steve Slaunwhite

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9. Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples & Fred Hahn

Even though Tested Advertising Methods was published nearly a century ago, it remains a must-read title for anyone that wants to master writing marketing copy. John Caples, a marketing legend, wrote the original book, which was late updated by Fred Hahn.

The book covers several aspects of marketing, including how to write catchy headlines and the best way to use illustrations. John Caples invested his life in testing his theories about marketing and persuasion, and luckily for the next generation of freelance writers, he codified his most successful ideas in this book.

This is a practical guide that pulls together all the moving parts that go into successful marketing. If you’re a copywriter looking to improve your writing or gain a better understanding of the overall marketing process, then add Tested Advertising Methods to your reading list.

“Remember that the reader’s attention is yours for only a single instant. They will not use up their valuable time trying to figure out what you mean.”

John Caples

10. The Robert Collier Letter Book by Rober Collier

The Robert Collier Letter Book is a collection of letters that explain dozens of copywriting secrets that primarily relate to direct marketing. If you write a lot of sales copy, landing pages, and emails, this will be a valuable addition to your bookshelf.

Rober Collier was an early 20th-century advertising guru who wrote the books as a self-help guide to newcomers to marketing. Although the book was published in 1931, it has been updated several times and still holds plenty of valuable secrets that many freelance writers aren’t using in their copy.

“Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin.”

Robert Collier

11.Ca$hvertising by Drew E. Whitman

With 100 copywriting secrets Ca$hvertising by Drew E. Whitman is one of the most important books for any modern copywriter. Published in 2008, in the wake of the financial crisis, Drew Whitman was writing during one of the most challenging periods in recent memory for direct marketers and copywriters.

Using several psychological theories, Ca$hvertising uncovers some hidden tricks for turning good copy into great copy. As this is a modern title, it’s more geared toward online marketing, so if you write copy for landing pages or websites, this book will give you direct advice. Using real-world examples and case studies, Whitman shows how to create high-converting copy that leverage scientific advertising methods to generate sales.

This copywriting book was published in 2008. Given its recency, it covers more modern topics like selling online, via ads, and over email. The book combines the psychology of selling with real-world examples of high-converting copy. Furthermore, the book comes packed with templates to write better direct marketing emails, catchy headlines, and better ad hooks.

“Bombard Your Readers with Benefits for a quick refresher.) After you’ve completed your list, rank them in order of importance—to your customer, not to you.”

Drew E. Whitman

12. Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath

Made to Stick is all about memorability. In this book, Chip and Dan Heath explore how psychological principles can be used to improve the memorability of marketing copy. They argue that the more memorable you make your copy, the more likely it is to generate sales and leads. If you want to bring your creative writing skills into your copy, this is a great book, as it pushes you to think outside the box instead of producing repetitive content.

The authors focus on several areas that improve memorability, such as writing story-driven copy that embraces emotions while surprising the reader with unexpected narratives. Patterns are the enemy, according to Chip and Dan Heath, who firmly believe that people are attracted to fresh ideas.

“The most basic way to get someone’s attention is this: Break a pattern.”

Chip and Dan Heath

13. Hey Whipple, Squeeze This: The Classic Guide to Creating Great Advertising by Luke Sullivan

Don’t let the long title of Hey Whipple, Squeeze This: The Classic Guide to Creating Great Advertising put you off picking up this book. Luke Sullivan has squeezed a massive amount of information into his book, offering brilliant how-to advice related to marketing and copywriting. Sullivan uses case studies to show the importance of understanding your market and then creating copy that effectively highlights why they need your product or services.

Beyond copywriting tips, Sullivan provides a more general picture of what makes a successful marketing campaign. He provides several examples of how brands that are genuinely empathic and make an effort to help the community tend to build more successful marketing campaigns than those that only focus on profit. If you want to improve your writing skills while learning about what makes a marketing campaign successful, consider reading Hey Whipple, Squeeze This: The Classic Guide to Creating Great Advertising.

“However much we would like advertising to be a science – because life would be simpler that way – the fact is that it is not.”

Luke Sullivan

14. The Copywriter’s Handbook by Robert Bly

Robert Bly has written over 100 books and has decades of experience as a professional marketer, and everything he learned along the way about copywriting can be found in his book The Copywriter’s Handbook. Bly’s book is a classic guide to copywriting. It has been updated several times since 1980, making it a solid read for modern copywriters and even those who work on social media copy.

Like many of the best copywriting books, Bly never underestimates the importance of market research. He teaches the reader how to understand their audience before beginning the writing process. In terms of improving your copy, Bly’s book is full of persuasive writing tricks and insights into how you can motivate readers to read beyond the headline.

“People use big words to impress others, but they rarely do. More often, big words annoy and distract the reader from what the writer is trying to say.”

Robert Bly

15. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Although you probably know Stephen King for his globally read horror fiction novels, he is also a valuable source for copywriters. In his book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, he offers the reader a glimpse into his writing technique which has helped him become one of the most successful 21st-century authors. The book is divided into five sections that weave together Stephen King’s personal story with an explanation of what it means to be a writer, a valuable toolbox for writers, a template for developing the structure of your writing, and a postscript analysis. It’s an insight into the psychology of a writer.

Although this book isn’t explicitly directed at copywriters, it will help you become a better overall writer, which will be reflected in your copy. King constantly drives home the importance of writing from a business perspective and a personal one, as it’s one of the purest forms of self-expression. If you’re a Stephen King fan, check out our guide to the best Stephen King books.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

Stephen King

16. The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman

Joseph Sugarman is a successful marketing expert who has launched dozens of campaigns that drew millions of customers and generated massive revenue streams. His book, The Adweek Copywriting Handbook, is a practical guide to producing great copy. Sugarman covers the basic building blocks of effective copywriting and then introduces methods that will help you let your creativity shine through your copy.

Like many great copywriters, Joseph Sugarman firmly believes that the most important part of copy is the first sentence, as, without a great headline, no one will take a second look at your copy. To this end, he provides the reader with a guide on how to write catchy headlines. If you sometimes struggle to structure your copy effectively or don’t catch your reader’s attention, then The Adweek Copywriting Handbook could be your saving grace.

“You sell an emotion, but you justify a purchase with logic.”

Joseph Sugarman

17. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley

Ann Handley believes that every person has a writer within them waiting to burst onto the page with the right guidance. If you sometimes feel that you can’t become a great copywriter, pick up Everybody Writes and allow Handley’s methodology to help you build your confidence.

The book is broken down into writing processes that you can practice daily to improve your copy and confidence. Moreover, Handley helps you develop a voice appropriate for your audience, a vital skill for copywriters. Creating engaging copy that draws readers in isn’t easy, but you’re far more likely to succeed with enough practice and Ann Handley’s tips.

“The truth is this: writing well is part habit, part knowledge of some fundamental rules, and part giving a damn.”

Ann handley

18. Finding the Right Message by Jennifer Havice

If your message isn’t unclear, your copy is not likely to generate sales. When dealing with complex ideas simplifying your copy is extremely difficult, and even after years of practice, it can leave you scratching your head. In Finding the Right Message, Jennifer Havice focuses on helping copywriters focus their message on the customer. This book is almost like a step-by-step guide, using case studies and templates to develop core copywriting principles.

Marketers can improve the quality of their messaging and the amount of time they spend writing, as the templates in the book can be applied to countless different copywriting tasks. Consider reading Jennifer Havice’s book if you want to improve your messaging style using real-world case studies and customer-orientated copywriting techniques.

“Instead of representing the buyer’s expectations, needs, wants, and concerns, many personas are built around a profile of what the business would like its ideal buyer to be.”

Jennifer Havice

19. The Wizard of Ads, by Roy Williams

Roy Williams is a best-selling author whose books have been featured in the Wall Street Journal and received mountains of praise on Amazon. His book The Wizard of Ads: Turning Words into Magic and Dreamers into Millionaires is a collection of his own letters that he wrote to clients while working as a marketing consultant. The letters contain his personal thoughts on marketing and observations regarding what makes or breaks advertising copy.

The book is broken down into three sections that combine to create a guide to becoming a better copywriter and producing marketing campaigns that generate returns. The book has helped copywriters improve their writing worldwide and became a Wall Street Journal bestseller.

“Five minutes in an old book quickly reveals that most of what is being sold today as new insights into human behavior is merely the rediscovery of knowledge we have had for centuries.”

Roy Williams

20. Words that Sell, by Richard Bayan

If you’re looking for a reference book for copywriters, then Words that Sell is your best choice. The short book contains words and phrases that professional copywriters use to improve their marketing content.

The great thing about Richard Bayan’s book is that it’s a short read that doesn’t mess about by giving you a simple layout filled with references that you can easily add to your copy to take it to the next level. If your writing is stale, then Words that Sell will help you add new phrases and words.

“The copywriter uses words as tools to persuade and motivate an audience. You persuade your readers that you have something valuable to offer; you motivate them to acquire it for themselves.”

Richard Bayan

21. Great Leads, by Michael Masterson and John Forde

Great Leads: The Siz Easiest Ways to Start Any Sales Message is a great book for copywriters working on their opening messages. The first point of contact is critical, and if you can’t attract interest with the first phrase, it will be difficult to keep the reader’s attention.

Masterson and Ford focus heavily on headlines and leading phrases as he offers templates for improving direct marketing messaging. The book has been widely praised for its clear narrative that is easy to follow for newcomers to copywriting. This book is a short read packed full of information to help you improve your writing, so it’s well worth a read, especially if you feel your headlines and leading phrases could be tighter.

“This book reveals in detail a very powerful stratgety for writing breakthrough copy. It will change the way you think about sales copy.”

Michael Masterson and John Forde

22. The Advertising Effect, by Adam Ferrier

Creating a breakthrough advertising campaign is every marketing expert’s dream. As an aspiring copywriter, you should be asking how you can write copy that will fuel the demand generated by advertising. The Advertising Effect uses case studies to illustrate how advertising campaigns can succeed.

Adam Ferrier’s theories are based on psychology combined with real-world examples. He often includes anecdotes from his own experience as a marketing expert. The book is divided into ten sections that will improve your understanding of how major marketing campaigns are run by some of the biggest brands in the world under the leadership of some of the best copywriters.

“We can influence others, and change their behaviour, if: a) they are motivated to do what we are asking them to do; and b) what we are asking them to do is relatively easy.”

Adam Ferrier

23. How to Write Seductive Web Copy, by Henneke Duistermaat

How to Write Seductive Web Copy is a must-read for copywriters focusing primarily on social media and landing pages. Henneke Duistermaat’s book offers a clear guide to writing clear and easy-to-digest web copy using a step-by-step process.

Duistermaa outlines a six-step process using examples and templates that will help you write top-quality web copy. By following the steps and practicing them daily, you’ll learn to write clear copy developed specifically for websites.

Furthermore, the book includes a guide to SEO optimization which will help you increase traffic. So, if you plan on creating your own website or creating content for someone else’s, this book is great.

“Meaningless, empty phrases turn your web visitors away, but facts and figures make them pay attention.”

Henneke Duistermaat

24. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, by Gary Vaynerchuk

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How To Sell Your Story in a Noisy Social World is a New York Times bestseller from the social media star, entrepreneur, and CEO of Vaynermedia Gary Vaynerchuk. The book is ideal for social media writers who struggle to stand out from the crowd. Vaynerchuk is an expert on building social media followings, and his book is broken down into specific platforms, which is great for copywriters that are focusing on specific websites.

As the title suggests, the book focuses on creating the perfect hook. More than any other copywriting field, social media requires the perfect hook as people’s attention spans are constantly shrinking. If your hook isn’t good, you won’t see results, so taking some advice from one of the titans of social media content by reading Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook could be a great way to spend a few hours before getting back to your keyboard.

“People are chasing cash, not happiness. When you chase money, you’re going to lose. You’re just going to. Even if you get the money, you’re not going to be happy.”

Gary Vaynerchuk

25. The Mom Test, by Rob Fitzpatrick

The Mom Test: How to Talk to Customers & Learn If Your Business is a Good Idea When Everyone is Lying to You is a short read despite the giant title, and its success is reflected by the fact that it’s been translated into several languages and received great reviews. Rob Fitzpatrick’s book is based on the lighthearted idea that you should never ask your mom if your business plan is good because she loves you too much to tell you the painful truth.

This book isn’t necessarily about copywriting, but it does help you improve copy indirectly by teaching you how to learn about your potential customers. By helping you carry out effective market research, this book will give you a better understanding of your copy’s audience, making the writing process considerably easier and more effective.

“It boils down to this: you aren’t allowed to tell them what their problem is, and in return, they aren’t allowed to tell you what to build. They own the problem, you own the solution.”

Rob Fitzpatrick

The Best Copywriting Books: Final Word

Becoming a great copywriter can feel daunting, especially when you’re staring at a blank page with no idea where to start. The books in this list hold the keys to success. Some of the titles will specifically target your writing, while others offer big-picture information such as market research and psychological insights into marketing. Ask yourself what aspects of copywriting you’re struggling with, and then use the advice written by the content marketing experts in this list to become a great copywriter. You can also check out our copyediting vs. copywriting guide