I’m a big believer in continual learning; if you ever think you know everything about something, you’re in BIG trouble.
And, lucky for us, there are more ways than ever to consume new content and ideas: Podcasts, videos, courses, blog posts—the list goes on and on.
But as writers, many of us still have a certain fondness for the written word in classic book form (ebook OR print, of course).
So, with that whole “continual learning” thing in mind, I present to you the latest update in my series of books every copywriter should read. (You can find more here.) Ready? Let’s get reading!
Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller.
Now, if you’re one of my Comprehensive Copywriting Academy students, you’re not really going to find anything new here in terms of principles or foundational elements. But what Miller does present is a new perspective from which to view copywriting and crafting messaging that really connects with a target audience.
Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson.
Brunson is the founder of ClickFunnels and he’s certainly no stranger to building a business. But what I was surprised with in this book is his mastery of messaging, as well. He has some great tools for generating ideas and formulas for creating compelling copy. (HUGE NOTE: I do NOT recommend using formulas as-is. Effective copy isn’t plug and play. But they can be a good way to help you generate ideas and structure your wording.)
The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky.
Here’s the thing about taking on any new project, be it building a business or creating a new career: It can sometimes be a slog in the middle. The first part is exciting, full of possibility and motivation and, once you’re established, it’s rewarding both emotionally and financially. But the middle…well, the middle can be tricky. There are always more “no”s than “yes”es and it there will be some days when you doubt yourself. (Which is why we created a full training on how to get through those feelings in the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy.) This is a good reminder that, yes, the middle is messy and challenging, but that it’s absolutely worth it.
The Miracle Equation by Hal Elrod.
Honestly, it kind of rubs me the wrong way to call this concept a “miracle” but I get it; he has books to sell. I will say, though, that even though it’s a whole book centered around one little two-line “equation,” it provides a lot of value in terms of understanding why it’s so valuable and why it’s worth adopting for yourself. This is an especially great one for anyone starting out on their copywriting career journey or anyone in that “messy middle” to help you get through it.
And there you have it! Four books that come with my highest recommendation for copywriters.
Your turn! Do you have any favorites I should check out? Let me know in the comments below!
Last Updated on May 12, 2022 by Nick Olds
