Customer Reviews

Sales Letters That Sizzle: All the Hooks, Lines, and Sinkers You'll Ever Need to Close Sales

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Herschell Gordon Lewis -- one of the world's leading authorities on writing copy that sells -- has summed up the tricks of the trade learned through years of experience in this delightful, extremely useful book. I find myself referring to his book again and again when I'm stuck on finding the just the right opening for a direct mail letter. Lewis uses real-life examples of direct mail copy throughout the book, showing readers where it went wrong and how it could have been more effective. (After reading his book, you'll find yourself scrutinizing every piece of junk mail you receive, wondering what Lewis would have to say about it!) Best of all, Lewis's keen wit makes the book fun to read. I highly recommend it to anyone who writes direct mail.

I agree with Rush.

This book does have a very useful list of headlines, opening sentences, and a knowledgeable section on envelope copy with illustrations...

..but the guy explains these things in such a bizarre vernacular and egotistical vibe that it was hard for me to feel any sort of enthusiasm as I was learning (or trying to). Maybe Lewis should've been a politician.

If you want a sales letter book, I fully recommend Dan Kennedy's 'The Ultimate Sales Letter'. It's step by step, easily understandable, fun to read and teaches you everything Lewis does but much more. Your excitement will skyrocket. Kennedy's your Man.

I won't presume to be critical of such a great copywriter as the author. But my reason for giving the book only 3 stars instead of five is because the entire book could have been so much more.

The latter half of the book are "100 ways to start a sales letter". It ought to be a gold mine. It IS of value, but again, in nearly all of the illustrated "ways", Lewis illustrates how people foul them up; not in how they are used successfully.

The same is true for the first part of the book. He helpfully offers actual samples of sales letters that he has received but spends most of his time mocking them and showing what's wrong. Certainly many of them deserve criticism but I wonder how much better the book would have been if Lewis had given examples of GOOD copy.

I recommend the book. I was just disappointed that it continually focused on the negative instead of helping the reader with GOOD copy.

If you want plenty of sarcastic rhetoric, this is it. Where are all the GOOD examples? Sure, I want to know what doesn't work too, but it could be even better if he shared more of what does work!

Every PR executive needs to have this book in their shelf.
Lots of great info, tips and a great handbook. If you are in advertising, PR or communications...... get this book. Rick Frishman Pres. Planned TV Arts (NYC) Co- author GUERRILLA PUBLICITY & GUERRILLA MARKETING FOR WRITERS