9 most influential copywriting books I've ever read

Author

Jim Hamilton
June 28, 2023

Paid courses are a great way to learn copywriting.

But if you've got more time than money to invest in your skills…

Reading books is your best bet.

You can often get the Kindle version for just a few bucks on Amazon.

I’ve compiled the 9 most influential books I’ve read throughout my copywriting career so you can uplevel your copy chops for less than $100.

Let’s dive in.

Read time: 2 minutes and 44 seconds

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1) Influence by Robert Cialdini

Psychological triggers like authority, scarcity, and urgency can be used for good or for evil.

Influence reveals how and why they make people buy.

2) Great Leads by Michael Masterson


80% of copywriting success comes from your lead.

Discover 6 proven lead writing frameworks responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in sales and when to use each one.

3) Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield

Mindset is everything.

This book shows you how to leave your inner amateur behind and transform yourself into a professional copywriter.

4) $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi

Persuasive copywriting isn’t just about putting words on a page.

It’s also knowing how to craft irresistible offers that literally sell themselves.

This is one of the reasons why this book has sold over 300,000+ copies since being published in 2021.

5) Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson

Copywriting is the #1 high-income skill for entrepreneurs.

Discover how it can help you start and grow a wildly profitable business from scratch from one of the most successful direct response marketers of all time.

6) No BS Marketing to the Affluent by Dan Kennedy

Affluent people can afford to pay premium prices for products and services.

They often make for better customers too.

This book reveals 10 emotional buy triggers the affluent can’t resist and how to deploy them in copywriting.

7) The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joe Sugarman

Great copy reads like a slippery slide.

Learn how to write silky smooth sales copy from the man who sold 20 million pairs of BluBlocker sunglasses in the 1980s.

8) Cashvertising by Drew Eric Whitman

The human brain hasn’t changed in 35,000 years.

That’s why understanding human psychology is the key to copywriting that converts.

Find out how copywriters at the world’s top ad agencies get people to buy.

9) Kickass Copywriting Secrets of a Marketing Rebel by John Carlton

This is one of the most colorful copywriting books ever written.

Discover the insider secrets behind some of the most famous direct response ads of all time, including the One-Legged Golfer and the 38-word headline.

Putting It All Together

You don’t need a high-ticket course to learn how to write better copy.

Reading these 9 books will give you a persuasive masterclass.

But remember: the most important thing is to take action.

Don’t spend all your time consuming.

Put yourself in the arena.

Get out there and start creating.

That’s it.

Thanks for reading!

See you next week.

Jim Hamilton

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