You know good writing when you see it, but how do you create it to begin with? Perhaps you need a lesson or ten. Here is one book that will help you make more of an impact with your writing.
Read Me: 10 Lessons for Great Copy includes 10 lessons on the art of copywriting, including audience, selling stories, brand, style, and habits of successful copyrighters. Most of them also have exercises at the end, to help you hone your skills in that area. The book originated from lectures given to undergrads in Creative Advertising in England, and so the exercises have all been well-tested. The book itself is a gathering of knowledge from the depth of the two authors’ experiences.
This isn’t just a book about copywriting. It is also one about style. Just flipping through the book demonstrates that fact, showing many different examples of copywriting which include a variety of typefaces, colors, page layouts, and more. Those copywriters used those details to draw readers’ attention to the point of their writing. The lessons already learned by those writing the text on packaging and in advertisements can help the rest of us improve our skills, for whatever it is we write.
Though this book may be extremely useful for advertising and marketing sorts, it is also useful to any writer who writes for any audience. Though we may not be selling a conventional product, we are putting forth an image (or several) of ourselves, as writers, and thus these lessons are applicable to us all. Even if all you create is Facebook memes. Everyone who ever wrote a blog post, held a Kickstarter campaign, wrote a description for an item sold on eBay, wrote a newsletter or a flyer, or crafted any text for public consumption has written copy.
Since the only way to improve your writing is to actually, you know, write, don’t just read this book. Do the exercises, and practice what you’ve learned in your other writing. Heed the advice of the professional writers that is included in each lesson as well. Learn from others, and perhaps avoid making some of the same mistakes.
Read Me retails for $24.95 and comes out on September 2, 2014. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be a better, snappier, more compelling writer. The bulk of the book is taken up with images, words, and advertisements. It isn’t taken over by a bunch of filler, just ten solid lessons to help your writing.
Note: I received this book for review purposes.
