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The Copywriter's Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells
 
 
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The Copywriter's Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells [Paperback]

Robert W. Bly (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)

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Book Description

April 4, 2006
The classic guide to copywriting, now in an entirely updated third edition
This is a book for everyone who writes or approves copy: copywriters, account executives, creative directors, freelance writers, advertising managers . . . even entrepreneurs and brand managers. It reveals dozens of copywriting techniques that can help you write ads, commercials, and direct mail that are clear, persuasive, and get more attention--and sell more products.
Among the tips revealed are
• eight headlines that work--and how to use them
• eleven ways to make your copy more readable
• fifteen ways to open a sales letter
• the nine characteristics of successful print ads
• how to build a successful freelance copywriting practice
• fifteen techniques to ensure your e-mail marketing message
is opened
This thoroughly revised third edition includes all new essential information for mastering copywriting in the Internet era, including advice on Web- and e-mail-based copywriting, multimedia presentations, and Internet research and source documentation, as well as updated resources. Now more indispensable than ever, The Copywriter's Handbook remains the ultimate guide for people who write or work with copy.

"I don't know a single copywriter whose work would not be improved by reading this book." --David Ogilvy


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The Copywriter's Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells + Words that Sell: More than 6000 Entries to Help You Promote Your Products, Services, and Ideas + Phrases That Sell : The Ultimate Phrase Finder to Help You Promote Your Products, Services, and Ideas
Price For All Three: $33.23

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book succeeds on two levels. For beginners, it offers a clear, comprehensive guide to the business of and techniques used in advertising copywriting. And for the professionals behind the typewriter, this book is a valuable back-to-basics tool that should be given a prominent slot on the bookshelf."-Los Angeles Times

About the Author

Robert W. Bly is a freelance copywriter specializing in business-to-business, high-tech, and direct advertising. He is the author of more than sixty books and has appeared on CNBC and CBS's Hard Copy. He lives in Dumont, New Jersey.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 3rd edition (April 4, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0805078045
  • ISBN-13: 978-0805078046
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert W. Bly (River Vale, NJ) is a professional writer, speaker and marketing consultant with over 3 decades of experience in business-to-business, high-tech, and direct response marketing. He became a self-made multi-millionaire while still in his 30s. Bob is the author of seventy-seven published books including Careers for Writers (McGraw-Hill/VGM), Secrets of a Freelance Writer (Henry Holt), The Copywriter's Handbook (Henry Holt), The Elements of Technical Writing (Alyn & Bacon) and The Elements of Business Writing (Alyn & Bacon). McGraw-Hill calls Bob Bly "America's top copywriter," and he was named 2007 Copywriter of the Year by American Writers and Artists, Inc. Bob writes regular columns for Target Marketing, a monthly trade publication covering the direct marketing industry; Early to Rise, a daily e-newsletter on business success; and The Writer, a premier monthly magazine providing information and inspiration for writers. The Direct Response Letter, Bob Bly's free e-newsletter, has over 60,000 subscribers.

Check out Bob's blog at http://bly.com/blog or contact him at www.bly.com/contact

Follow Bob:

E-newsletter: www.bly.com/reports
Twitter, http://twitter.com/Robertbly
LinkedIn, http://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbly
Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Bly/535042603

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you want to improve your writing skills for print or the web, this is the book that you need to own. This book is all steak with the fat trimmed off, powerful tips and techniques with absolutely no fluff.

While some of the techniques included in the book aren't unique to copywriting guides, Bly offers his own effective spin on them. In the first 60 pages alone, you're treated to a goldmine of tips on writing effective headlines and crafting easy-to-read copy. Bly tackles copywriting methods for direct mail, catalogs, brochures, websites, and even press releases. Unlike most books on copy, Bly provides great advice on writing for TV commercials and radio spots.

As a Search Engine Optimization guru, I found Bly's take on writing web copy to be extremely refreshing, even if it wasn't new information to me personally. I loved that this was probably the only copywriting book that actually stresses finding the balance between writing copy that sells, and copy that is search engine friendly. Most web design books don't discuss copywriting, and most copywriting authors have no knowledge of writing for search engines. Bly certainly did his homework.

This is an excellent guide for writing copy, especially if you're writing for websites. This book is probably the best investment that you will ever make.
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you're a practicing copywriter and don't know what a brochure is -- ummmmm...I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but perhaps you should consider another career. Yes, this book actually defines what a brochure is. I am shocked to see that experienced copywriters found it useful. The advice is rudimentary at best. I gave it three stars because a) basic information has its place and b) I didn't want to tarnish the rating. It was my mistake to buy it. If you're looking for a book to inspire award-winning creative, get Creative Advertising by Mario Pricken. After devouring it in one sitting, I wrote copy all night long. For fun. On a weekend. And, no, I'm not a sweltering geek. The Kickstart Catalogue is an amazing tool for bringing out your natural talent. It teaches you from the inside out (you'll understand what I mean when you read it).
Was this review helpful to you?
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Outdated. December 24, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book may have been great 20 years ago but it is almost completely outdated. There is one useful chapter in the beginning talking about writing style. It is as basic as it comes.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Get this book if you write anything
The other night I was looking through my bookshelf for a book to read, or rather a book to re-read. I chose The Copywriter's Handbook and re-read it for the sixth or seventh time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David Field
omen nomen
Bob called it "handbook" and I can swore this it is. I keep it on my desk. I use it as a reference whenever I have to strategize any piece of marketing work I am asked by my... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Flavio Tosi
Four seasons of Mad Men and now the wife thinks she can write copy!
I said to her, "Hey toots, leave copy to the experts." Well I didn't really say that. But I wanted to! Hey, I just wrote copy? I dunno. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Matt W
Worth Much More Than the Retail Price
I've been a writer of e-books and articles since 2003 and a short while ago, I made a decision to move into the genre of copywriting. Read more
Published 2 months ago by bob3660
Copywriters Bible
this book is a must read, very good e indispensable. Dont read it, if not i had more one strong competitor.
Published 9 months ago by Cantanhede
Copywriter's Helper
This book offers some good information for the beginner trying to learn to get into the business of writing and editing, or advertising.
Published 10 months ago by Cindy H. Keene
A Great Intro to the Copywriting Business
This is a fantastic primer for those looking to learn about the copywriting industry, whether they simply want to know what a copywriter does, or are looking to become one... Read more
Published 13 months ago by DALwrites
A screenwriter's best friend
It's a great guide to copywriting to begin with. Above all else, it provides a solid guide to selling anything.

I'm a screenwriter, and need to write query letters. Read more
Published 13 months ago by E. M. Hobo
Rock Solid Information
Robert Bly doesn't steer you wrong in The Copywriter's Handbook. I'm always working to improve my writing and this book has been a useful tool for me. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Christopher Cook
at least one chapter should be deleted
I struggled to finish this book. The author repeats himself a lot, and the chapter 12 bored me to hell. Read more
Published 14 months ago by JJ
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
"A copywriter is a salesperson behind a typewriter." Read the first page
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Bob Bly, Waterfront Model, Advertising Age, Microchip Gardens, The Copywriter's Handbook, Burger King, Copy Length Grid, David Ogilvy, Writer's Digest, Yellow Pages, Pinwheel Systems, Radio Shack, Unique Selling Proposition, Blue Nile, Business Week, Denise Austin, Good Housekeeping, Grey Poupon, John Caples, Len Kirsch, Macromedia Flash, Microsoft Word, New Jersey, Personal Computer
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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