The Adweek copywriting handbook
by Joseph Sugarman · first published 2006
71% recommend29% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A practical copywriting guide that moves beyond general marketing theory, offering concrete techniques for persuasive ads and sales copy. Written for working writers and marketers.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Great copy is the heart and soul of the advertising business. In this practical guide, legendary copywriter Joe Sugarman provides proven guidelines and expert advice on what it takes to write copy that will entice, motivate, and move customers to buy. For anyone who wants to break into the business, this is the ultimate companion resource for unlimited success.
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What Hacker News says
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…readers to signup to know what happened at that meeting (SPOILER: nothing). I did it because I followed one advise by Joseph Sugarman (famous American copywriter), that I learned reading his renowned book "Adweek copywriting handbook". He uses the same writing technique (with a similar example) in that book, to arise readers' attention. In any case I understand the reason why I got "Flagged", and I wanted to say sorry. I still think…
on “I Got Flagged on Hacker News Because I Followed an Advise from Joseph Sugarman” ↗…Sugarman "Making Ads Pay" by John Caples "Web Copy That Sells" by Maria Veloso "The Architecture of Persuasion" by Michael Masterson "Influence The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini "The Adweek Copywriting Handbook" by Joe Sugarman "The Elements of Copywriting" by Gary Blake and Robert Bly "The Ultimate Sales Letter" by Dan Kennedy "Cashvertising" by Drew Eric Whitman "Write to sell " it is written by Andy Maslen…
on “Ask HN: Best way to learn copywriting and sales?” ↗If you want "theory" lookup Bernays and read his books about propaganda. Something more practical is anything David Oglivy has written. For copywriting check out "The Adweek Copywriting Handbook" by Sugarman. Unfortunately, I can't recommend any design specific books as I'm a media buyer and trash at design.
on “Why Marketing Flywheels Work” ↗…of 2009, I worked through (not just read!) about half a dozen marketing tomes that people had recommended to me. In descending priority, my favorite three: * Hypnotic Writing by Joe Vitale * The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugerman * Cashvertising by Drew Whitman If you can read only three books, I'd suggest these, in the order listed. But if you can only read one, Cashvertising might actually be the best…
on “Ask HN: Marketing Books for Developers?” ↗Read Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again, Ogilvy on Advertising, The Adweek Copywriting Handbook and dive deep into Storytelling. That's the basic toolkit for inventing the persona of a successful artist, and yourself.
on “Ask HN: Any successful transitions from a tech/IT career to working in the arts?” ↗Thank you for the step-by-step guide from an engineer's perspective. I guess the Joe Sugarman book you mention is one of these two: http://www.amazon.com/The-Adweek-Copywriting-Handbook-Advert... http://www.amazon.com/Advertising-Secrets-Written-Word-Entre...
on “Quick Course On Effective Website Copywriting” ↗…zero point in writing software if I can't sell it. After I heard this interview https://mixergy.com/interviews/blublocker-with-joe-sugarman/ I went and bought Joe Sugarman's book https://www.amazon.com/Adweek-Copywriting-Handbook-Advertisi... So here is my first attempt at writing sales copy: https://www.selffundyourdreams.com I'd love to hear your blistering attacks or kind praise, but mainly I'm just interested to hear your…
on “Show HN: Software developers and tech-savvy entrepreneurs, self-fund your dreams” ↗