9 Copywriting Books You Should Read

Every aspiring copywriter needs to learn sales storyselling and tactics from the industry’s brightest stars and most trusted veterans. And that isn’t always available online — sometimes you have to go old school and go to good copywriting books! But there are thousands of books out there, how the hell do you pick the best ones to learn about and improve your copywriting?

You’re in luck! I created a short list of 9 copywriting books you should add to your cart. So get your highlighter ready, because you’re about to learn a lot.

1) Copywriting Second Edition

This is the first book on copywriting I ever bought, and I still consider it to be a valuable resource to this day. It’s got a lot of insightful information about how to write great copy for digital media, branding, advertising, direct marketing, retailing, catalogs, company magazines, and internal communications.

It has exercises and up-to-date illustrated examples of award-winning campaigns and communication, interviews from leading copywriters, and case studies of major brands that show the rough road to creating cutting-edge copy. You can grab it on Amazon for under $26.

2) Hey Whipple, Squeeze This: The Classic Guide to Creating Great Advertising

I love this books for its creative writing techniques and real-life examples. It stays up-to-date with information on how to navigate the changing technological landscape — from how to create content for Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to learning how to tell brand stories. All for less than $28 CAD.

3) The Copywriter’s Handbook

This is a book for everyone who writes or approves copy: copywriters, multichannel marketers, creative directors, freelance writers, marketing managers, and small business owners. It’s got tons of copywriting techniques that can help you write both print and online ads, emails, and websites that make sense, attract eyeballs, and inspire action. And it’s on Amazon for just $15 CAD.

4) The Science of Selling

The most important part about copywriting is knowing how to sell the product or service you’re talking about. Maybe you worked in retail or sales, or maybe you have no experience in selling whatsoever.

Either way, who better to learn from than the CEO of Hoffeld Group David Hoffeld? In this book, he shares how to align how we sell with the way the human brain naturally makes buying decisions in this book.

Complete with cutting-edge research in social psychology, neuroscience, behavioural economics, and the good doctor’s evidence-based approach that connects the dots between science and situations salespeople and business leaders face every day.

Can you believe it’s under $22 on Amazon?!

5) Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

I’m not going to lie, I still haven’t finished this book, but I plan to! It’s packed cover to cover with up-to-date research, insights, and examples that explains the psychology of why people say yes and how to apply these insights ethically in business and everyday settings. This is vital to any piece of copy you write, and should definitely be added to your TBR list.

I know it’s going to help me too which is why I haven’t given up on finishing it yet — and even though it’s only $27 CAD, I feel obligated to complete something I paid for.

6) Ogilvy on Advertising

Whether you want to get a job in advertising or want to write for the underdogs, every copywriter can learn valuable lessons from the pioneer of modern advertising. Time magazine called David Ogilvy “the most sought after wizard in the business.” If you’re looking to be a word magician, who better to learn from than him?

This book covers:

• How to get a job in advertising
• How to choose an agency for your product
• The secrets behind advertising that works
• How to write successful copy—and get people to read it
• Eighteen miracles of research
• What advertising can do for charities

And much, much more, for just $35 CAD.

7) The Copy Book: How Some of the Best Advertising Writers in the World Write Their Advertising

This book is a collaboration between industry leaders D&AD and TASCHEN, and it features the chosen work ****and essays by 53 leading professionals in the world that teach vital lessons for anyone in advertising and marketing.

8) Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy

I personally haven’t read this book yet, but it is bookmarked in my browser because of how valuable it looks. Author Martin Lindstrom presents findings from his three-year, seven-million-dollar neuromarketing study that dives into the mind of today’s consumer, what captures our interest, and drives us to buy. It’s only $15 CAD on Amazon, so I’ll definitely be adding to my cart soon.

9) The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind

The Catalyst identifies the key barriers to change and how to mitigate them. With examples ranging from how hostage negotiators work to how marketers get new products to become trending products. I also haven’t read this book, and from the summary I’d wager that it’s more cerebral than the more functional copywriting techniques you can get from the other books I mentioned, BUT it can still teach us valuable lessons about how to spark change in a person, a group of people, an industry, or even the world. For $14 CAD? SCORE!

In closing…

Don’t just rely on online courses and free resources. The most skilled professionals in the business have put their most of their expert knowledge in printed ink, and it’s a valuable investment to grab some of these books… and maybe get a wall shelf while you’re at it.