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Copywriting Is…: 30-or-so thoughts on thinking like a copywriter
Copywriting is easy. Copywriting is hard. It’s frustrating, rewarding, draining, thrilling and, in almost every way, a lot of fun.It’s also the job Andrew Boulton has been doing, writing about, and teaching others to do, for more than 10 years.Now, he’s gathered up all the experiences, observations, lessons, fleeting successes and crushing failures he’s accumulated in that time to help copywriters, new and old, come to terms with the baffling life of an alphabet wrangler.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
138 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2021
17 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 2, 2022
Full of useful affirmations – stuff I learned in my old copywriting role and in my creative writing that Boulton helped me realise are positive things to continue doing.
He leans heavily on quotes from others, but I realised that’s exactly what a handy book on copywriting should have – a collection of the very best of what great writers have to say. Plus, he quotes both Rustin Cohle and Ursula Le Guin, which wooed me immediately.
I’ll happily take this into my new copywriting role, knowing it’ll continue to remind and inspire.
He leans heavily on quotes from others, but I realised that’s exactly what a handy book on copywriting should have – a collection of the very best of what great writers have to say. Plus, he quotes both Rustin Cohle and Ursula Le Guin, which wooed me immediately.
I’ll happily take this into my new copywriting role, knowing it’ll continue to remind and inspire.
September 26, 2021
“[good copywriting] means perfectly forming every component of your message so you can make the greatest impact with the fewest words.”
That might be the most perfect description of copywriting I’ve ever read. But also…
This book is incredibly funny. Not just in a relatable way, but in a ‘read aloud to the room’ kind of way. So funny in fact that I could pick a favourite quote from every chapter (of which there is around 35?!) rather than just one from the whole book.
I’m a particularly big fan of this type of book (one that lists the many craft-brackets and emotions that copywriting falls into) because the entire copywriting profession really is so much more than putting words down on a page. Yet so few people understand, unless they grapple with it daily.
Now I would very much like everyone who knows me to read it.
Entertaining, educational and enjoyable. A perfect combination. And a testament to Boulton’s long copy skills.
Favourite quote:
“My first ever paid writing assignment was writing football match reports for a newspaper in Sydney.
(On an unrelated note, I had no TV and had to go and sit in an all-night casino to watch the matches which, while entirely pleasant. would also leave me with around minus forty dollars as my net pay.)”
That might be the most perfect description of copywriting I’ve ever read. But also…
This book is incredibly funny. Not just in a relatable way, but in a ‘read aloud to the room’ kind of way. So funny in fact that I could pick a favourite quote from every chapter (of which there is around 35?!) rather than just one from the whole book.
I’m a particularly big fan of this type of book (one that lists the many craft-brackets and emotions that copywriting falls into) because the entire copywriting profession really is so much more than putting words down on a page. Yet so few people understand, unless they grapple with it daily.
Now I would very much like everyone who knows me to read it.
Entertaining, educational and enjoyable. A perfect combination. And a testament to Boulton’s long copy skills.
Favourite quote:
“My first ever paid writing assignment was writing football match reports for a newspaper in Sydney.
(On an unrelated note, I had no TV and had to go and sit in an all-night casino to watch the matches which, while entirely pleasant. would also leave me with around minus forty dollars as my net pay.)”
October 19, 2021
Not a how to book on copywriting - but some great little bits to flick through every now and then when you’re in need of some motivation or inspiration.
Particularly liked the bit about how choosing your words is a bit like picking people to be on your sports team.
Particularly liked the bit about how choosing your words is a bit like picking people to be on your sports team.
May 27, 2021
There are some things copywriters can't put into words. And, that's usually after someone asks them 'what do you do for a living?'. Luckily, Andrew Boulton was born and wrote a book to save our 'ummms' and our 'errrrs'. If you're a copywriter, want to be a copywriter, or you're simply just my mum and dad, please read this book.
July 28, 2023
Copywriting is... is a motivational read for copywriters. It's like a Ted Talk on what copywriting is, for college students who might want to understand copywriting.
The book is written like a blog with 30 or so thoughts about the art that's known as copywriting. It records the thoughts of a copywriter on what copywriting is.
Andrew penned down his thoughts well. But it's more like a curated version of random thoughts.
The book doesn't have insights/tips on copywriting, except for a few.
It felt that the book is written for quite a niche audience: Copywriters who are feeling alone or down, and need some reassurance that they're doing it right.
It wasn't for me. Or maybe I picked the book at a wrong time to read.
Also, the language is rather complex for an international audience. For someone who isn't a native English speaker, it didn't read natural. It has plenty of British idioms and colloquial phrases.
The book is written like a blog with 30 or so thoughts about the art that's known as copywriting. It records the thoughts of a copywriter on what copywriting is.
Andrew penned down his thoughts well. But it's more like a curated version of random thoughts.
The book doesn't have insights/tips on copywriting, except for a few.
It felt that the book is written for quite a niche audience: Copywriters who are feeling alone or down, and need some reassurance that they're doing it right.
It wasn't for me. Or maybe I picked the book at a wrong time to read.
Also, the language is rather complex for an international audience. For someone who isn't a native English speaker, it didn't read natural. It has plenty of British idioms and colloquial phrases.
December 22, 2021
This book is fine. It feels more like the author wanted to flex their writing muscles than they did provide super practical tools. The copy in this book is great. They’re clearly a gifted writer. I wish they were less vague and more actionable, because this book became a real bore toward the end.
April 16, 2022
Andrew Boulton's book is not a copywriting handbook. This, the author makes very clear from the premise. But to anyone interested in the art of copywriting, this book can be a loyal companion and a source of comfort, perhaps aimed more at experienced copywriters than those starting out.
Andrew is clearly in love with the craft, and this book is his personal love letter to copywriting. It collects a multitude of feelings, thoughts and reflections on what it means to be a copywriter, and it's hard to find any kind of fault in it when Andrew's prose is so genuine, unique, quirky and humorous all the time.
I don't usually include technical considerations in book reviews, but here I really just wish Amazon tweaked the Kindle version a bit. The beginning of every paragraph is a bit awkward in terms of formatting, and the book caused my Kindle to freeze every single time I tried to access it from the Lock Screen – resulting in having to switch to another book before locking the screen every time, or be forced to reboot.
Andrew is clearly in love with the craft, and this book is his personal love letter to copywriting. It collects a multitude of feelings, thoughts and reflections on what it means to be a copywriter, and it's hard to find any kind of fault in it when Andrew's prose is so genuine, unique, quirky and humorous all the time.
I don't usually include technical considerations in book reviews, but here I really just wish Amazon tweaked the Kindle version a bit. The beginning of every paragraph is a bit awkward in terms of formatting, and the book caused my Kindle to freeze every single time I tried to access it from the Lock Screen – resulting in having to switch to another book before locking the screen every time, or be forced to reboot.
February 14, 2023
Great book about not just copywriting but creativity in general.
Easy to digest info and is as entertaining to read as it is informative.
Easy to digest info and is as entertaining to read as it is informative.
February 17, 2023
I was entertained and informed thought this read.
It was enjoyable from cover to cover.
It was enjoyable from cover to cover.
July 29, 2021
Read the full review at https://talesfromabsurdia.com/book-re...
_______________________
Copywriting Is... is a veritable trove of eclectic copywriting witticisms and observations. It’s also one of the most quotable books I’ve ever read.
If you're a writer of any sort, whether it's copywriting, blogging, or fiction writing - do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of Copywriting Is.
And even if you aren't a writer, it's a thoroughly entertaining read.
I shall no longer be found without this book in my possession. If so, please return me to the nearest bookshop.
_______________________
Copywriting Is... is a veritable trove of eclectic copywriting witticisms and observations. It’s also one of the most quotable books I’ve ever read.
If you're a writer of any sort, whether it's copywriting, blogging, or fiction writing - do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of Copywriting Is.
And even if you aren't a writer, it's a thoroughly entertaining read.
I shall no longer be found without this book in my possession. If so, please return me to the nearest bookshop.
January 23, 2023
4/5. Any creative or strategist in advertising should read this.
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Full of little nuggets of advice as well as new perspectives on practices, this didn't read like a preachy 'work' book but a personal commentary on Andrew Boulton's journey into his practice. Though entirely relevant to the world of marketing and advertising, I would encrouage any one who has to write for a living to read this.
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I will go back to this for years to come.
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Full of little nuggets of advice as well as new perspectives on practices, this didn't read like a preachy 'work' book but a personal commentary on Andrew Boulton's journey into his practice. Though entirely relevant to the world of marketing and advertising, I would encrouage any one who has to write for a living to read this.
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I will go back to this for years to come.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews