Book Description
Updated to include new communication technology and its unique issues
For more than 50 years, The Gregg Reference Manual has been recognized as the best style manual for business professionals and students. The basic rules that apply to the most frequent problems are covered as thoroughly as the fine points of the problems that occur less often. The colorful examples and illustrations offer easy-to-follow models to help resolve the difficulties encountered in everyday communications from e-mail messages to formal reports. New features include:
- Up-to-date coverage on dealing with online source material and precautions to observe when citing electronic material
- New searchable index: the website accompanying the book allows the reader immediate access to definitions and information on specific topics
- Updated e-mail rules and expanded plagiarism coverage to meet the needs of changing technology
Customer Reviews:
Great Product, Great Seller.......2007-10-19
Item came to my home in perfect condition, half the price of what it would have cost me @ the campus bookstore. Thanks again. Awesome experience doing business with this seller. Thanks
very good, well-written manual. it is a must!.......2007-10-11
I think that this product is truly a must for anyone taking business english classes, anyone working at an office, or anyone teaching an english class. this is the best manual there is!
Gregg Manual.......2007-07-25
The Gregg Manual is outstanding and any office worker - whether secretary or the boss, needs it to be sure that letters and documents are perfect. It's a little pricey but worth every penny.
Not For Beginners..........2007-06-12
This book is not really geared for the beginner; it is for those who have a decent/modest/working command of the English writing/language with a basic understanding of sentence structure but need tweaking here and there to help perfect their skill. It covers EVERYTHING from punctuation, tense and subject agreement, spelling, word use--everything that goes into writing. The book is very busy in that it is LOADED--it covers everything you need to write properly/correctly. The book's section-numbering-system might be a bit of a tickle, but give it a scratch and you'll be on your way. The numbering system helps you locate/move from one area of grammatical treatment to another quickly; it allows this full coverage monograph to be printed into a portable size book. There are no "filler text", no speeches, no stories, no editoralizing--just concise writings on proper writing. It also provides clear examples, valuable notations, and alternative sentence formations. You WILL get your $ worth! (I didn't have time to check the book for this review, so mistakes are mine. ;>)
Great General Reference for Writers and Editors.......2007-05-09
I am a medical editor so my Bible is the AMA guide, but I needed a more general reference for my regular grammar/English queries. A co-editor who has been relying on and loving his Gregg Manual for years recommended it to me. His recommendation proved most helpful because so far, this book is great. I have yet to have a grammar question the Gregg Manual couldn't answer. It's great for editors and writers regardless of industry, and would be helpful for students as well.
Book Description
So You'd Like to. Become An Amazon Bestseller!
Don't wait. Publishing insider and CEO Brent Sampson reveals revolutionary advice guaranteed to increase your book sales on Amazon. Learn the powerful secrets used by successful Amazon authors every day. This informative and practical "how-to" guide shares new techniques that are proven to work.
Solutions Revealed!
Discover step-by-step methods for improving your exposure on Amazon and increasing your authority.
Secrets Exposed!
Increase your profitability by learning the secrets to
short-discounting Amazon with just twenty percent.
Success Discovered!
Learn top-secret tactics that earn authors tens-of-thousands of dollars in royalties every month.
Amazon Approved
Find, understand, and control every Amazon possibility for maximum book sales.
Hi, I'm Brent Sampson.
Are you holding a manuscript in your hand that you wish Amazon was selling? Or do you already have a book on Amazon that
you wish was selling better? In either case,
Sell Your Book on Amazon will help you.
You will experience what I have seen first-hand as the president of Outskirts Press - that marketing success on Amazon can be the difference between hundreds and tens-of-thousands of dollars a month.
Amazon provides a phenomenal and global platform from which to sell your book. In fact, the opportunities may seem almost too colossal! But now,
Sell Your Book on Amazon unveils it all for the first time. This book provides an easy-to-understand approach to increase your book sales on Amazon by exploring the steps you can take immediately.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Dan Poynter
Introduction
Get Your Book Listed
AuthorConnect & Author Profile Pages
Book Sales Page
Listmania!
So You'd Like to. Guides
Additional Amazon Possibilities
Pricing & Profitability
As Penny C. Sansevieri of Author Marketing Experts says,
"Finally! A book that helps you demystify Amazon. If you have a book to sell, you simply must own
Sell Your Book on Amazon."
Want proof? How did
you get to this Amazon sales page? Maybe you clicked on it from a competitor's page or received a personalized email. However you got here, here you are!
Sell Your Book on Amazon shows you ALL the ways to increase your book's exposure and make the tactics working for this book work for you, too.
Authors who know how to use Amazon's own system to their advantage simply sell more books. Once a book finds success on Amazon, it appears higher in the search results, leading to MORE exposure and more sales, and so on. It's the Amazon
"virtuous circle" and the key to unlocking that brass ring is in your hands.
Introducing the exclusive TACTIC RANKING SYSTEM!
Marketing tactics are only as valuable as the profits they generate.
Sell Your Book on Amazon ranks every technique so you can quickly and efficiently locate the marketing secrets that will lead to superior results:
***** Highly recommended. Receive the greatest exposure compared to time spent.
**** Very recommended. An acceptable investment is required for a profitable return.
*** Somewhat recommended. Check your profit margin. The expenditure may exceed the benefit.
Do you know how to
beat Amazon at their own game? Do you know how Amazon Marketplace listings can offer "55 used copies" of your book when you haven't even sold that many? Do you know how to remove a 1-star review from your listing and get more 5-star reviews?
This book tells you how to do it all, plus so much more. It's a tremendous value with a wealth of information at your fingertips. Start increasing your book sales instantly by ordering today.
Customer Reviews:
I never knew about any of this!.......2007-10-21
I love it when a book comes along that points out web site functions I never realized existed. This book packs a lot of information into a compact read, which makes it easy to get through but steers you in exactly the right marketing direction. The way he assigns ratings to the various marketing techniques helps one decide what to tackle first.
A solid looks at the basics.......2007-10-14
As the author of the recently self-published Hokie Games: Virginia Tech Football Game by Game 1945-2006 I devoured the contents of this book to try to jump-start my Amazon sales. I can't speak to the results just yet as the portion of the suggestions that I have implemented has only been in place for a week or so.
In fact, part of the appeal of the book is that it's not supposed to show results yet. It's not a quick "make you book an instant Amazon bestseller" plan. The book has tips and techniques that grow your presence over the long haul. That's exactly what I was looking for and this book delivers.
The steps were easy to follow and the "why's" were well laid out. Obviously, the author did his homework on the subject of Amazon.
--Rich Tandler, author of Hokie Games: Virginia Tech Football Game by Game 1945-2006
Great asset for POD authors.......2007-09-23
When I purchased this book, I was really quite skeptical. I figured that it was just a promotion of Amazon.com and not really any useful advice.
Then my wife and I published our first children's book, Santa and Sam's Big Secret through Outskirts Press. Although OP did a wonderful job of publishing the book, the major portion of publicity for the book was left up to us. We have been following some of the advice offered by Brent Sampson and we do believe that it is helping with the promotion of our book.
Sell Your Book on Amazon is an easy read. You can easily skip over chapters that you do not feel interest you, and still come up with many ideas that will help you to promote your book.
I would recommend this book to any authors who are using a Publish On Demand publisher. It will surely enhance the sales of your book.
Selling a book? Then BUY "How to Sell Your Book on Amazon,".......2007-09-15
Buy this book!
"How to Sell Your Book on Amazon," by Brent Sampson has invaluable information for anyone who wants to sell books. If you are trying to sell your book, buy "How to Sell Your Book on Amazon," by Brent Sampson.
If you are writing or wish to write a book, buy this book, "How to Sell Your Book on Amazon," by Brent Sampson. Brent Sampson's book is the guide every new author should have.
Buy this book if you want to sell books too!.......2007-09-12
I wrote a book called, "Letters to My Friends: A No Guarantees Guide to Awakening." It took three years to write. I spent another year sending it to publishers before I finally found a small publisher willing to work with me.
The Great Day came. I held my baby in my hands. I knew the world would proclaim her beauty. I was wrong, very wrong. A few friends and friends of friends bought the book. I was stunned and hurt too. But I kept trying to market my book the old fashioned way. I contacted the major book chains. To them I did not exist. I sent over 100 books to bookstores, and I never got a single order. I sent about 100 books to major newspapers, and I never got a single review.
One local bookstore, New Renaissance Bookshop in Portland, Oregon was very helpful. But the support of one local bookstore was not enough. I was almost ready to give up, but instead I went to Amazon and joined the Amazon Advantage program. I sold perhaps 20 books. Victory at last! Amazon loved me and I loved Amazon! And then I did not sell another book on Amazon for about a month.
I was ready to give up. But I knew my book could help readers feel better about themselves. I had received dozens of touching letters that left me feeling happy that something I had done made a difference in the world. Besides, I needed the money. Family illnesses had depleted my bank account and my debt was mounting. So, instead of quitting, I did an Amazon search for books on marketing books, and I found, "How to Sell Your Book on Amazon," by Brent Sampson.
I wish I had found this book a year ago. If you have a book you are trying to sell, or if you want to write a book, buy this book. Unless you are that rare writer who pens a bestseller, you will find yourself alone in a big jungle. Amazon gives you a path out of the jungle, and Brent Sampson's book is the guide.
Honestly, I have just started implementing his suggestions. So I have lots of work to do. After I finish this review, I will ask him to be my Amazon friend. I might ask him to review "Letters to My Friends: A No Guarantees Guide to Awakening." He said to mention my book as often as possible without being obnoxious. And finally, he said Amazon friends are important. You see, if you become my friend, whenever anyone goes to your Amazon profile and clicks on my picture in your Friends section, there's a chance I will sell a book. And if someone clicks on your picture in my Friends section, you might sell a book. So, do you want to be my friend? Good heavens, I feel like a little kid again.
I will make a deal with you. In a year, I will write another review of "Sell Your Book on Amazon" and let you know how I am doing. Thank you, John C. Conley, author of "Letters to My Friends: A No Guarantees Guide to Awakening."
Book Description
Control of engineering documentation, sometimes called Configuration Management (CM) especially in the defense industries, is critical to world-class manufacturing survival. This new Second Edition of a highly successful engineering documentation handbook is one of the best blueprints for constructive, efficient EDC/CM ever published.
Use the ENGINEERING DOCUMENTATION CONTROL HANDBOOK to get on track right away and make the release of new products and their documentation flow smoothly and easily. The book is packed with specific methods that can be applied quickly and accurately to almost any industry and any product to control documentation, request changes to the product, make those changes and develop bills of material. The result is a powerful communications bridge between engineering and "the rest of the world" that makes rapid changes in products and documentation possible. With the help of the simple techniques in the HANDBOOK, companies can gain and hold their competitive advantages in a world that demands flexibility and quick reflexes -- and has no sympathy for delays.
The new edition contains substantial additions worked into the book and several new chapters. However, the thrust of the book retains the same focus on basics, rules and reasons. The author emphasizes that EDC or CM must be recognized as a key business strategy, and the days of "throwing it over the wall" are gone forever.
Key Features:
- Expanded case studies and actual experiences with consulting clients have been added
- New chapter on Benchmarking/Surveys contains real-life results of several surveys conducted and analyzed by the author that allow you to compare your enterprise with those surveyed
- Interchangeability and change cost sections have been substantially expanded and given separate chapters in recognition of their critical importance in the EDC strategy
Customer Reviews:
Engineering Documentation.......2005-09-28
I am a British Chartered Engineer working mainly in Blue Chip energy-related companies. I have just started using this book in my work and find it strongly re-enforces my passion for excellent documentation and design management. It is clearly the current 'bible' for Engineering Documentation Control and is extremely valuable in showing how to climb the 'Configuration Management Ladder' (page 8). It cuts away the dross and complexity that is plentiful nearly everywhere else. So many of us technologists and managers are struggling with hugely powerful new computer packages that integrate most processes in our companies. This is one of the very few books to chart our course and give us a chance of a reliable way through to simplicity, speed and profitability that are so often promissed but so rarely fully attained.
Thorough Industry Configuration Management Resource..........2001-12-27
...but not for Software CM.
As the title says, this is an Industry CM book. If your need is for Software CM, this book can be used for general CM concepts and background (and to develop a strong understanding of CM principles), but no more (get a software-specific CM/release management book instead). Only a few brief mentions of application of these concepts to software CM. If your need is for doc. control/industry CM, then this is probably an ideal book.
Great Inroduction to CM.......2001-06-08
Unlike the vast majority of books available on configuration management, this book, as the title suggests, focuses entirely on configuration management in industry. Throughout the book, the author focuses on a simplified, fast configuration management system that exceeds DoD standards. This book, in the chapters titled Change Control and Fast Change, has an exceptional explanation of how to handle configuration modifications. In these chapters the author gives a detailed description of how to set up a system that allows the fastest possible changes to take place. Also, many case studies are given in these sections which provide further insight as to how to implement the correct system for a given situation. Overall, the book is very easy to understand, and serves as an excellent introduction and handbook to a configuration management system for industry.
Crisp and practical guide to setting up a CM system........1999-02-26
This book explains the theory but includes plenty of examples of how to set up an Engineering Document Control, or Configuration Management (CM) system. The examples in the text focus on an imaginary manufacturing company. The text does include some mention of tailoring a CM system for software developers.
The text is crisp and the books organization clear and logical. One of the last chapters includes what is essentially a checklist of how to put together a CM system.
This is not a one size fits all system. The user must use the material in the book as a guide to tailor a CM system to their company's requirements.
Overall an indispensable book for someone trying to set up or overhaul a CM system. I highly recommend it.
Book Description
From the editors at the world-renowned Associated Press, a guide to the proper use of punctuation--from the apostrophe to the semicolon.
More people write for the Associated Press than for any other news service, and more writers take their style and word-usage cues from this world-famous institution than from any other journalism source. In the no-nonsense, authoritative tradition of the best-selling AP Stylebook, the top editors at the AP have now written the definitive guide to punctuation. From the when and how of the ampersand to the rules for dashes, slashes, and brackets; from the correct moment for the overused exclamation point to the rules of engagement for the semicolon, The AP Guide to Punctuation is an invaluable and easy-to-use guide to the most important aspect of clear and persuasive writing.
Customer Reviews:
The gold standard.......2007-07-26
For journalists, the AP style guides are pretty much the gold standard (or silver, depending on your economic policy leanings). With so much terrible grammar and punctuation, and often lack of punctuation, present in today's world, this is a must-have for aspiring writers, especially journalists.
Decent reference.......2007-01-11
There's no mystery here, and it's not intended to be a grammatically pristene work of art. It is, after all, a 96-page reference manual. If you are used to writing/editing literary and academic styles and need to refresh your memory on the punctuation variables in journalistic writing, this is an easy point-to reference that won't take up any more of your precious time than absolutely necessary.
Full of mistakes.......2005-03-03
It appears that some fool edited the cautionary examples for correctness. (p. 34) The grammar is poor ("verboten" as a noun? (p. 85)), and the usage is non-standard (Commas are "trundled out"? (p.37)). Some passages are self-contradictory ("With Adjectives, p. 37).
This book is not a total disaster, but I can hardly recommend it.
Efficient and entertaining, but slim for my personal taste.......2004-05-03
Written with lively and direct prose, Rene J. Cappon's guide to punctuation succeeds in being a useful resourse for the busy journalist. No reader need fear about getting bogged down in the finer points of periods. If such a situation threatens to occur, Capon is quick to suggest a workaround. This leaves the stickiest questions even stickier, a real prickle for someone as persnickety as me. But for the journalist, or journalism student, I heartily recommend it.
To those looking for a deeper understanding of punctuation, I caution against this slim tome. Organized into seventeen chapters by punctuation, some of them no more than a half of a page ('The Ampersand') and some as many as sixteen ('The Comma'), the AP GUIDE TO PUNCTUATION lacks the philosophical depth and historical background of recent bestseller EATS, SHOOTS, & LEAVES as well as the dry grammar books of days past. The examples, while fun, are not nearly as comprehensive as one expects in any book that bills itself as a reference.
By way of example, here is the entire entry for Irregular Plurals under 'The Apostrophe':
---
Irregular plurals also take the apostrophe: children's hour, women's rights, gentlemen's traditions, men's club, and so do nouns that are the same in singular: the single moose's antlers, the deer's track, the two corps' travels. The apostrophe stays whether the meaning is singular or plural.
---
No mention is made that it is preferable to disambiguate the singular and plural in such cases. Especially in journalistic writing, where clarity and simplicity are the twin grails of good style.
A dedicated journalist might prefer a true grammar of the English language or the complete and comprehensive AP STYLE BOOK. While they may be dry, they will certainly go a good deal further in answering the questions that arise in all aspects of writing.
A Graceful, Witty Guide to Punctuation.......2003-12-11
As a professional editor for nearly two decades, I heartily recommend this book. Cappon's writing is clear, funny, and creative, and he makes the nuances of punctuation memorable. His reasoning is logical, and his explanations and examples are very helpful. Interestingly, though this is an Associated Press publication, some of the style differs from the official A.P. Stylebook. So if A.P. is your background, be aware of this.
Cappon is a terrific writer, and anyone else who writes would benefit immensely from this lucid guide to punctuation.
Book Description
To succeed in technical writing, you need a lot more than just writing ability. Technical Writing 101 details the skills you need as a technical writer, and it explains how to handle the pressures of tight deadlines and ever-changing product specifications. This valuable reference also describes the entire documentation process—planning, writing, editing, indexing, and production.
This updated second edition features the latest information on single sourcing and a new chapter on how trends in structured authoring and Extensible Markup Language (XML) affect technical writers.
Customer Reviews:
Straightforward and clear.......2007-06-08
I thought this book was exactly what it said it was: a 101-level focus on technical writing. From the skills required by a good writer, to a technical writing process, to the task-oriented focus of user guides, this book covered all the basics, and was even written with a sense of humor. I am purchasing this for my technical publications department, because I think it's good to review the basics as a team, and there are specific topics that are newer to the team, such as how to write for globalization.
A one-time read for beginners.......2007-04-20
This book provides a good overview for those considering a technical writing career. It may also be helpful for engineers and others who work with technical writers or who want basic ideas for preparing documentation. The chatty, breezy writing style makes the book an easy read. But the lack of in-depth information and its focus only on documentation and online help projects limits the book's usefulness as a daily work reference.
Technical Writing 101: A Real-World Guide to Planning and Writing Technical Documentation, Second Edition.......2007-01-29
We received the Manual to help in Associate training. Shipment came in very quickly. We will definitely be ordering from Amazon more in the future, your service has been impeccable!!
Thank you.
Technical Writing.......2006-07-09
This book is very easy to read and understand. I ordered this book as a supplement to my current book used at my school. I would highly recommend this book to other new technical writers.
Practical and Educational.......2004-09-18
As the title mentions, Technical Writing 101, provides real-world planning tips. I found it to be very engaging, informative and very easy to read (finished within 24 hours of receiving it). It also sparked ideas on how I could look at a lot of projects I'm personally working on. The way the book is organized doesn't overload you with "too" much information. It also is very generous in providing other resources for further research and knowledge.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get a good understanding of the technical writing process.
Amazon.com
The Copywriter's Handbook is somewhat out of date. There are no references to Web sites or the Internet, and author Robert W. Bly advises that a freelance copywriter have a good typewriter. No matter. Bly has compiled an incredibly useful resource for budding, and even experienced, copywriters. Bly calls his book "a step-by-step guide to writing copy that sells." And that it is: Bly covers the writing of print ads, direct mail, brochures, catalogues, public-relations material, trade-journal articles, speeches, newsletters, commercials, and more. But equally informative is the substantial amount of space that he devotes to the copywriting business, in which he offers guidance in setting up a freelance copywriting business, getting hired by an ad agency, and hiring and working with copywriters (this section also includes a chapter on graphic design for copywriters). This is a terrific book. If you don't take my word for it, take David Ogilvy's: "I don't know a single copywriter whose work would not be improved by reading this book," he says. "And that includes me." --Jane Steinberg
Book Description
This is a book for everyone who writes or approves copy: copywriters, account executives, creative directors, freelance writers, advertising managers . . . even entrepreneurs and brand managers. It reveals dozens of copywriting techniques that can help you write ads, commercials, and direct mail that are clear, persuasive, and get more attentionand sell more products. Among the tips revealed are eight headlines that workand how to use them eleven ways to make your copy more readable fifteen ways to open a sales letter the nine characteristics of successful print ads how to build a successful freelance copywriting practice fifteen techniques to ensure your e-mail marketing message is opened This thoroughly revised third edition includes all new essential information for mastering copywriting in the Internet era, including advice on Web- and e-mail-based copywriting, multimedia presentations, and Internet research and source documentation, as well as updated resources. Now more indispensable than ever, The Copywriters Handbook remains the ultimate guide for people who write or work with copy.
Customer Reviews:
Want to Write For a Living? Bly Shows What It Takes.......2007-10-21
Highest recommendation!
I'm a copy writer for a small company serving businesses across the country. I learned the ad writing business "on the fly via Bly" after miraculously landing a copywriting job when a very brave Pacific Northwest employer decided to take a chance and hire me -- even though I didn't have a single day's worth of "in the trenches" experience beforehand!
My resume documented that I had written four books and dozens of articles for magazines and newspapers, but writing advertising copy is a whole 'nuther animal!
Because of Bly's excellent books (he has several -- none of them will steer you wrong) and a few others by Joe Vitale, I was able to jump into the new job and truly wow diverse clients from the get-go. The information and insights in The Copywriter's Handbook saved my bacon!
Kristine M Smith, Author
DeForest Kelley: A Harvest of Memories : My Life and Times With a Remarkable Gentleman Actor
Every copywriter's best friend - a must-read keeper.......2007-10-03
Bob Bly is the master of showing beginning copywriters how to write compelling copy. He also knows all there is to know about the copywriting business.
If you're just starting out in this business, you must buy this book and any time Bob updates it, buy the new one.
He helps you know what to charge. He guides you in the rules of the road in a way you'll understand. Reading this book could be the ticket to a great career for you. So pick up your ticket and enter the world of copywriting.
Highly recommended --- especially for beginning copywriters or those who need a handy everyday reference to refer to when they have a question.
The Copywriter's Handbook.......2007-08-29
Excellent service.
Arrived really quick and in excellent packaging.
Love the book, Thank you!
Breaks down the basics of writing killer copy.......2007-07-28
Before I started my own copywriting business years ago, this one was my first books on the subject. And I still refer back to it periodically. Bob Bly is a copywriting legend who is well-known for making the fundamentals of writing great copy easy to understand. Whether you're thinking about a writing career, or just need to make your marketing materials more effective, this is the perfect primer for anyone who wants to learn how to write to sell!
Good for direct response copywriting, but not so great for ad agency writing.......2007-05-18
Since this review is largely negative, I should admit that "The Copywriter's Handbook" can be found near my desk and I reference it often.
With that confession, I'll take my first punch: the author of this book has never won an advertising award. Not one that matters, anyway. But in Bob Bly's world, awards really don't matter.
Since 1985, "The Copywriter's Handbook," has been a guide to the ugly but lucrative subculture of advertising called direct response. In this world, Bob Bly is a self-anointed diety. Since the book was first published, mobs of enterprising disciples have drunk his Cool-Aid, hoping not for a promised land, but a six-figure salary.
It's true that copywriters can earn $10,000 for writing one letter. Of course, it's a direct response letter. The kind beleaguered with double underlined sentences. Features explained through benefits. Promises punctuated with exclamation points. And, of course, the grand finale is highlighted in yellow: an offer that must be acted upon immediately.
For industrious writers who want to come up with this stuff, "The Copywriter's Handbook," is considered a bible. But for anyone who aspires to create concept-driven advertising, there's not much in this book.
Bly starts this work by taking sides against concept-driven advertising. He explains, "A copywriter is a salesperson behind a typewriter." He warns against becoming "an artist or entertainer." For if you go down this dangerous path, Bly warns, "Your copy will be wasting your client's time and money."
Although I don't do direct response, as a freelancer, I write a lot of stuff that's not artistic, entertaining, concept-driven advertising. I often write stuff that works hard at doing more than building a brand. For those jobs, this book contains a lot of practical advice.
Of its nearly 400 pages, I found Bly's lists most helpful. "Copy motivators" offer 22 reasons why someone might buy a product, a good thing to ask your client before writing. Bly offers interview questions too, many of which I have incorporated into my own. He also outlines different types of ads, which can be useful in finding direction for an ad. Will we do a question ad? A testimonial? An offer of free information?
But for all of his juicy nuggets, so many of Bly's examples read like spam. They sound too good to be true, killing the credibility of his work. So much so that I think his audiences must be incredibly stupid to read - let alone respond - to what he writes.
"Would you pay $1,000 to save $5,500?"
"One of a kind. Is that phrase a little trite? I used to think so until I tried to find you. ..."
"Three years ago this month, a man I know - he was then a vice president of a big corporation in Illinois - walked into his boss's office and handed in his resignation. Two weeks later, he started his own company. ..."
Aren't we past this kind of stuff? Judging by the number of people who make serious cash writing Bly-style advertising, apparently not. I know that I don't allow any of it into my life, not even from nonprofits and politicians I believe in.
Despite the money to be made, you won't find me crossing to the schlock-y side of hard-sell direct response advertising. Even knowing about the profit potential of this work, I still want to create cool, concept-driven creative work. Because unlike Mr. Bly, I know that my kind of advertising can work for clients.
I recommend: How to Write Great Copy: Learn the Unwritten Rules of Copywriting
Customer Reviews:
Simplistic.......2007-05-14
I work in a CPA firm and found this book to recommend simplification in writing to the point of absurdity. It is a fact that there is a 'language' for business, and this book spends far too much time advising the reader to take complex or wordy phrases and simplify them to an almost moronic degree. While I agree that business writing is often overly and unnecessarily convoluted, this book seems to ignore a business-like paring down and instead invite the reader to return to elementary-school quality writing. I definitely did not feel that the book was a worthwhile investment, especially at the inflated price for which it retails. It is possible that it would benefit those in the accounting field whose clientele are completely non-business oriented or have little business knowledge.
Excellent for College Students in Business.......2007-03-08
I'm an accountancy major at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This has greatly helped me on my group cases where I write memorandums and other professional communication. Writing hasn't come easily for me (like numbers have) but this book helps me find my weaknesses and gives me suggestions for them. At first I wondered why such a small book was so expensive, but the price is definitely worth it!
Book Description
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.
Customer Reviews:
This is for DIRECT response advertising, NOT general advertising.......2007-10-23
This book is for DIRECT RESPONSE, not general advertising. Basically, if you're a budding copywriter looking to get into a top general agency, this book will not help you much. You'd do better with a copy of "Hey Whipple, Squeeze This" or "Cutting Edge Advertising."
Otherwise, if you're wanting to learn how to make coupon-clipper ads selling ionic air purifiers, this is your book.
Copywriting.......2007-10-10
Joe Sugarman did an excellent job in this book. I've read over a dozen other books on copywriting, and believe that this is the best of the bunch. The others also have value, but Sugarman explains key psychological principles that make all of the difference. I wish I had read this book first so that the other books would have been more valuable to me.
So good I brought it twice! .......2007-09-24
I first brought this book two years ago. I thought it was great then, now I think It is without a doubt the best book on copywriting I have ever read.
It is full of money making wisdom, written by one of the worlds greatest copywriters.
it is a complete course on how to turn words into money, and it is easy to read.
This book is worth ten stars.
One word... AWESOME!.......2007-08-17
This book is phenomenal. If you read it and put Joe's techniques to work you'll be a step ahead of 99% of the Ad Agency's out there that charge an arm and a leg for what you can do on your own. It takes some practice and note taking but, if you listen to what Joe says you'll be handsomely rewarded. Even if you're not selling anything, you will still enjoy reading this book.
I f you have a business and you advertise, you need to read this book!.......2007-08-06
This is the single best book I have read on how to right effective advertising copy.
Every business has to advertise in some way, shape or form if it is to survive. Writing effective copy can be the difference between succesful advertising and a big waste of money.
If you have an agency who does your advertising, you really need to read this book. Once you read and understand the concepts that Sugarman discusses, you will be much better prepared to direct your agency on what you want in your ad that will really make it effective. You will definitely know more than most advertising 'specialists.'
If you create your own ads, buy this book, read it, and do what it says. The effectiveness of your advertising will increase dramatically and you will separate your company from all the 'look-alikes' who do advertising in the same old, ineffective way.
Book Description
While many texts fail to cover the specific “hows” of legal analysis and writing such as: how to determine if a case is on point, how to identify the issue, how to state the issue, and how to conduct counteranalysis and incorporate it in an interoffice memorandum of law, this book stresses application through many examples in each chapter that illustrate key concepts and principles, and explains the elements, techniques, and specific considerations involved in the process. The book is national in scope, and is an invaluable reference to practicing legal assistants and first year law students.
Customer Reviews:
Legal Research made easy.......2000-08-07
I had this book for my class which was taught by the author. It is an easy to follow, logical, step by step book that would assist anyone in the field of legal research and writing.
Book Description
The eight-step strategy presented in this book takes the mystery out of writing effective training courses. Practical templates, checklists, assessments, and examples streamline your effort and eliminate writer's block. You'll discover how to make the most of limited time, money, and human resources to:
—Develop training lessons that make a difference.
—Customize off-the-shelf training to meet the needs of your target audience.
—Repurpose existing documentation.
—Globalize your training for culturally diverse learners or tailor lessons to meet specific needs of a limited audience.
—Recognize dead-end paths that can undermine the success of your project.
—Incorporate ready-to-use CGI, Java, and HTML scripts into lessons. Learn when to use them, where to find download sites, and how to tailor them to your training objectives and learners.
This systematic approach has helped thousands of writers like you create training programs that deliver what they promise. In just hours, you can learn techniques and time-savers that others have learned only through hard-won experience and costly mistakes.
Keep this book handy. You'll reach for it often for real-world advice about every phase of your project from initial planning to troubleshooting. Better than a mentor, it's a must-have for every successful training or user-education professional.
Customer Reviews:
Good for content planning, not for content writing.......2006-11-21
This is one of the best books of those that help you determine what should be included in your training course - to plan objectives and then break it down into the detail. It also covers how to test the effectiveness of the course. However, it does not give any information at all about what a course module should contain or how to write it.
My goal was to write a training course for a software program. So, for the most part I knew what the outline of the course should be. I needed to know how to introduce the subject, how much to include in the single module, what exactly to do and say. For this, the book would get a zero.
Very good for it's purpose but I felt a review was needed to point out what that was.
Terrific for Planning from the Ground Up!.......2004-04-22
I just can't say enough about this book. I am developing a training program for the first time and it has added outstanding depth to my process. It is simple to use. If you go step by step everything just seems to fall in to place.
It is a life saver!
Very applicable.......2002-04-04
I read this book in 5 hours. After that, I had all the tools I needed to start developing a training course for a subject matter I still knew little about. Great book for someone who has a short time to develop a training course. Great reference for anyone who needs new approaches to their training development.
Books:
- The Gregg Reference Manual
- The Knowledge-Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation
- The LaTeX Companions, Revised Boxed Set: A Complete Guide and Reference for Preparing, Illustrating, and Publishing Technical Documents (2nd Edition) (Tools and Techniques for Computer Typesetting)
- The Leader's Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative
- The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More
- The New Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning: A Project of the Music Educators National Conference
- The Order of Things: How Everything in the World Is Organized into Hierarchies, Structures, and Pecking Orders; Revised Edition
- The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert
- The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO's Strategies for Defeating the Devil's Advocate and Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Hitler And Stalin: Parallel Lives
- Before I Wake
- Principles of Managerial Finance Brief
- Search Marketing Strategies: A Marketer's Guide to Objective Driven Success from Search Engines
- The Master Swing Trader: Tools and Techniques to Profit from Outstanding Short-Term Trading Opportun
- An Introduction to High-Frequency Finance
- World Resources 1992-93: A Guide to the Global Environment
- Non-Linear Time Series Models in Empirical Finance
- The Hedge Fund Edge: Maximum Profit/Minimum Risk Global Trend Trading Strategies
- The fertilisation of flowers
Communications
| Skills
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition
Gregg Reference Manual, Comprehensive Worksheets
The Chicago Manual of Style
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Laminated Cover) (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Laminated))
Comprehensive Worksheets on Style, Grammar, Usage, and Formatting to accompany the Gregg Reference Manual, Tenth Edition
