27+ books and blogs all Web writers should read
Want to brush up on your online copywriting skills?
Recently, someone asked me to email them some “must read” Web writing resources. By the time I was done, I had a very long list (27 to be exact.)
If you’re in the copywriting business – or just want to learn more about the wild world of copywriting, SEO/social and inbound marketing – enjoy! These books and blogs will keep you busy for a long, long time….
Copywriting, content marketing and strategy:
The Copywriter’s Handbook, by Bob Bly ***This is a must read book for all copywriters. If you’ve never read it, buy it today!
Confessions Of An Advertising Man, by David Ogilvy.
Optimize, by Lee Odden
Content Rules, by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman
Junta42 (For even more resources, check out their post on the best 42 content marketing blogs.)
Why people buy (consumer psychology and neuromarketing)
Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion, by Robert Cialdini
Buyology, Truth and Lies About Why We Buy, by Martin Lindstrom
Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Customers With Neuromarketing, by Roger Dooley
Switch: How To Change Things When Change is Hard, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Calls to Action: Secret Formulas to Improve Online Results, by Bryan Eisenberg, Jeffrey Eisenbertg and Lisa T. Davis
General SEO, Internet marketing and usability
Internet Marketing In An Hour A Day, by Matt Bailey
Search Engine Marketing, Inc, by Bill Hunt and Mike Moran
Don’t Make Me Think: A Common-Sense Guide to Web Usability, by Steve Krug
The Last Original Idea: A Cynic’s View of Internet Marketing, by Alan K’necht and Geri Rockstein
Blueglass Digital Marketing blog
Style and grammar guides
The Yahoo! Style Guide: The Ultimate Sourcebook for Writing, Editing and Creating Content for the Digital World, editor, Chris Barr
Elements of Grammar, by Margaret Shertzer
The Little, Brown Handbook, by Fowler and Aaron
Oxford Guide to Plain English, by Martin Cutts
Thanks to Amy Teeple (@ACTeeple) and Kevin Carlton (@Write_Online) for the resource suggestions!
What must-read resource (blog or book) did I leave out? Please add your favorites in the comments below!
The 20% off discount on the SEO Copywriting Certification training and the Copywriting Business Bootcamp has been extended until December 9th. Sign up today!
Photo gratitude: Joe.Ross
That article you put…
Very useful – I was looking for this kind of information a few years ago. I’ve only read a few of those though, so it looks like the Kindle account’s going to get a battering over Christmas.
Comment by Craig Wright — December 6, 2012 @ 3:24 am
Great list and just in time for Christmas shopping for all my writer friends!! Thanks for sharing SuccessWorks team.
Comment by Heather Georgoudiou — December 6, 2012 @ 4:05 am
Heather,
I’d also like to add KISSmetrics, http://blog.kissmetrics.com, as another SEO resource to my earlier list of suggestions.
This is more advice-based than news-based, which makes it another good site for newcomers.
BTW many thanks for the mention. Much appreciated.
Comment by Kevin Carlton — December 6, 2012 @ 10:40 am
Michel Fortin puts out a lot of regular, high quality content on copywriting too.
Comment by Damien — December 11, 2012 @ 3:11 am
Oh, and Drayton Bird – someone who has been in marketing/advertising for many many years and worked with all the greats. Still going strong and putting out daily content in his 80s.
Comment by Damien — December 11, 2012 @ 3:12 am
Hi Heather:
How about:
Bob Bly’s “Secrets of a Freelance Writer”
and
Peter Bowerman’s “The Well Fed Writer”
or
George Orwell’s essay “Politics and The English Language” from his book “Why I Write”
Tom McCauley
Comment by TomMac — December 11, 2012 @ 6:16 am
I love “copy.righter” by Ian Atkinson – a very accessible guide to basic copywriting strategies and techniques,
Sue Neal
Comment by Sue Neal — May 23, 2013 @ 2:56 am