Has anyone got any recommendations on books to read to learn more about branding, marketing and/ or copywriting?

Replies20

  • For the copywriting subject I would recommend Copywriter's Handbook by Robert W. Bly. The book is well written and full of useful lists, tips, ideas, and examples.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Copywriters-Handbook-Step-Step-Writing/dp/1250238013/
  • I could make this a very long list, also I have links to talks on branding another topic for another day.

    c/id: Visual Identity and Branding for the Arts
    by Angus hyland (Pentagram)
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Id-Visual-Identity-Branding/dp/1856694089

    Paula Scher: Works (concise)
    https://www.uniteditions.com/products/paula-scher-works-concise-edition

    Manuals 2
    https://www.uniteditions.com/collections/all-1

    Spin: 360°
    https://www.uniteditions.com/products/spin-360

    Branding: In Five and a Half Steps : the Definitive Guide to the Strategy and Design of ... Book by Michael Johnson
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Branding-Five-Steps-Michael-Johnson/dp/0500518963/

    Henri Kay Henrion
  • The Elements of Eloquence by Mark Forsyth, not specifically about copywriting but how to write with style and how rhetoric works. It's packed with examples from Shakespeare to the Beatles to advertising slogans. It's brilliantly written, insightful, inspiring and very funny in places.
  • Build a brand in 30 days by Simon Middleton. It's 30 days of work (thinking) but NOT 30 days in a row. There are some good exercises in it. I have it on Audible.
  • Iconic Advantage®: Don't Chase the New, Innovate the Old https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1682615405/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_9E7KGGJG1GNZY84XRVCB
  • Not my wheelhouse AT ALL haha, but I did enjoy reading Building A Storybrand by Donald Miller, and Superfans by Pat Flynn. :)
  • 1. How cool brands stay hot: Branding to Generations Y and Z - By Joeri Van den Bergh & Mattias Behrer

    2. All Marketers are Liars - Tell Stories. By Laurel, B (2003).

    3. This is Marketing: You can’t bee seen until you learn to see. Godin, S (2018).


  • I just got hold of a copy of Brand Myths - by far the best book on branding strategy I've read in a very long time. Couldn't put it down. Already covered it in sticky notes and highlighter!
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Myths-Branding-Popular-Misconceptions-Business/dp/0749483091/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-rsf1_0?crid=385D64ONIY8GT&cv_ct_cx=myths+of+branding&dchild=1&keywords=myths+of+branding&pd_rd_i=0749483091&pd_rd_r=5f96cdcc-5234-4cb9-a5f9-845898d6d089&pd_rd_w=mWqp3&pd_rd_wg=S2BXL&pf_rd_p=4e85d769-a6e5-41e4-98e2-760ae84fa1c4&pf_rd_r=EYH4CHDFDXTEA3KYF8QY&psc=1&qid=1611746029&sprefix=myths+brandi%2Caps%2C235&sr=1-1-28b929d6-7f37-4acb-b5cf-d38f484ff2d1
  • BRANDING: The Brand Gap, Platform (personal)
    MARKETING: Positioning, Seth Godin, Alchemy (Rory Sutherland), Start with Why, Contagious,
    COPYWRITING: Speak with/clone Vikki Ross.

    I also highly recommend reading anything on the subject social psychology/social cognition - it's all this just cooked/stewed in diffferent ways. Influence - Persuasion by Robert Cialdini (sp?) also good!
  • If you're an illustrator, look up the AOI website. They sell books designed especally for Illustrators covering many topics.
  • The D&AD Copy Book is great:
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/AD-Copy-Book-Bibliotheca-Universalis/dp/3836568527/ref=asc_df_3836568527/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310737150369&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14517246046591574307&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006502&hvtargid=pla-443867844956&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

    Wally Olins (RIP) was a clear-headed thinker and good at explaining about branding without strategy waffle:
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brand-Wally-Olins/dp/0500511454/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=olins+brand&qid=1613581628&s=books&sr=1-3
  • A really good newsletter to sign up to is Sonder & Tell's - https://sonderandtell.com/ they send weekly tips on branding and copywriting that I've found really helpful :)
  • I am not a writer but I loved this book about writing, and how to edit one's own work (especially helpful when you don't have help)

    https://www.amazon.com/Artful-Edit-Practice-Editing-Yourself/dp/0393332179/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Artful+Edit+Susan+Bell&qid=1613581064&s=books&sr=1-1

    David is a specialist in logo and ID design, these are important reads from his perspective.
    https://www.davidairey.com/books

    Terry O'Reilly has created three shows on advertising and has been an ad man most of his life, he is a wealth of information. Great story teller too!
    https://terryoreilly.ca/books/this-i-know/


  • I'd say these are good places to start:

    Copwriting: Hey Whipple, Squeze This by Luke Sullivan
    Branding: Brand Management by Michael Beverland
    Marketing: This is Marketing by Seth Godin

    I hope this helps...
  • Hi Poppy,

    'The Copywriting Sourcebook' — Andy Maslen
    'Designing Brand Identity' — Alina Wheeler
    'This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn To See' — Seth Godin

    Hope this helps.

    Gian

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