Question

Topic: Copywriting

Can You Recommend An Online Copywriting Course?

Posted by Anonymous on 7/23/2008 at 12:25 PM ET 250 Points
Our marketing department would like to eliminate our outsourced copywriter and do the work ourselves. We already have some experience in copywriting, and a copyeditor on staff, but need a refresher course. Ca anyone recommend a good copywriting course you can take online?

Thank you!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Levon on 7/23/2008 at 12:29 PM Accepted
    A Bachelors Degree in Journalism, Communications, English is key. There are online degrees available from many Universities. As far as a short course it all depends on what you are writing (articles, blogs, SEO content, video scripts, websites that sell, brochures, etc.)
  • Posted on 7/23/2008 at 12:34 PM Author
    Thank you for your response. Everyone in the department has a Bachelor Degree in Marketing Communications, however we only have limited copywriting practice post-college so we would like a refresher course. We typically write postcards and brochures, as well as the occasional advertisement.
  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 7/23/2008 at 12:54 PM Accepted
    I know others will disagree with me, but I feel there is noschool like the school of hard knocks.

    But, here is a suggestion:
    Why not produce copy then forward it on to the experts at 911MarketingHelp.com for their review. My guess is after a couple of iterations, you will feel much better about the quality of your work.
  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 7/23/2008 at 12:55 PM Accepted
    I disagree that a degree of any sort is necessary to be a good copywriter, any more so than a degree is necessary to become a great novelist.

    See if you find what you're looking for here:
    https://www.awaionline.com/

    You can also check out:
    https://bencivengabullets.com/

    If you have a few bucks ($5,000 to be exact), you can look into:
    https://www.bencivengabullets.com/b100dvd.asp

    I know when I first heard of this, I thought it was a little overpriced. Now that we own it, I know I was wrong.

    - Paul
  • Posted on 7/23/2008 at 12:55 PM Accepted
    Check out www.copyblogger.com. They have posts like "Copywriting 101" and a regular electronic newsletter. I believe they may also feature a course or two.
  • Posted on 7/23/2008 at 1:23 PM Accepted
    I would try AWAI online

    https://www.awaionline.com/copywriting/ for in-depth study.

    Or, for a quick overview, you could try these books:

    The Copywriter's Handbook by Bob Bly
    https://tinyurl.com/5duybe

    Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples
    https://tinyurl.com/65wwyu



  • Posted on 7/23/2008 at 1:53 PM Accepted
    www.expertcopywritingcourses.com and www.bobblymarketingbooks.com
  • Posted on 7/23/2008 at 4:44 PM Author
    Thanks so much for everyone's responses. I have a question regarding AWAI - I've read lots of good feedback on their courses and then some that say it's a complete fraud. Any thoughts on that?
  • Posted by Tracey on 7/23/2008 at 5:13 PM Accepted
    Check out one of Joseph Sugarman's books - I liked "Advertising Secrets of the Written Word" but he has many.

    I highly recommend "Made to Stick" by Chip & Dan Heath.
  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 7/23/2008 at 5:51 PM Accepted
    I could not put AWAI in the fraud category. We have purchased several of their courses over the years.

    I think it's like anything...there will always be a vocal minority who aren't happy. I suspect if someone thought that the courses were a guarantee of success, they could be disappointed.

    Being a good, profitable copywriter takes skill and hard work, not to mention that, if you're freelancing, you then have to go out and get the business and manage it. So, there are going to be people out there who just couldn't make a go of it, and then they will look for someone to blame.

    My $0.02.
  • Posted on 7/23/2008 at 7:33 PM Accepted
    Don't know of any online courses going on right now but I have to throw mine in mix. In my circles I'm known as the top female copywriter in the information marketing industry. I've studied with the current direct response gurus but I add a feminine spin and social media in the mix. I have several courses at https://www.redhotcopy.com designed for all levels of hopeful copywriters and entrepreneurs.

    The other recommendations I have are John Carlton, one of my mentors, at https://www.marketingrebel.com or Dan Kennedy at https://www.dankennedy.com.

    Good luck!

    Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero
  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 7/23/2008 at 7:34 PM Accepted
    Surely you jest! A do-it-yourself course for copywriters? What next, brain surgery self-taught?

    I do not see any reason why time-tested principles of good copywriting can not be shared in writing with examples to match. Are you saying that books on copywriting are a waste of time, too? How is reading a book so different from a self-study course?

    No replacement for experience, of course, but I don't share your point of view entirely.

    And as much as copywriters--or marketing people in general--might like to think of themselves as talented and smart, etc., I don't think any of us in the business would compare our job requirements to that of brain surgeon.

  • Posted by Levon on 7/24/2008 at 1:59 AM Member
    CKohn,

    Let me add -- creativity is a major part of good copy.
    Without creativity you will generate tired old headlines which will get you un-noticed. Having the ability to recognize a creative headline when it is suggested by someone on your team is also key to good management and implementation. So many amazing headlines get shot down by the likes of the un-imaginable. So many people are scared to let their company and products soar with creative pieces.

    I have read many books and taken many short courses on the art of writing copy - and my best pieces - the ones that made my client's millions the ones that won awards the ones that I am really proud of came off the back foot of creative thinking.

    -Levon
  • Posted on 7/28/2008 at 9:55 AM Author
    Thanks so much for all your responses!
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