Why am I passionate about this?

I know it's kind of weird, but I have been fascinated by the world of direct-response marketing ever since I first saw the full-page ads in the "newspapers" my grandmother loved to read (The National Inquirer and the Weekly World News). Those ads fascinated me because, at first, I thought they were stories in the newspaper. That was my first exposure to the work of the brilliant Eugene Schwartz. I used to check our mail so I could grab all the "junk mail" that everyone else threw away because that's the only mail I wanted to read. That's why I became a direct-response copywriter.


I wrote...

How to Write Copy That Sells: The Step-By-Step System for More Sales, to More Customers, More Often

By Ray Edwards,

Book cover of How to Write Copy That Sells: The Step-By-Step System for More Sales, to More Customers, More Often

What is my book about?

My book is a step-by-step guide to writing fast, easy-to-read, effective copy. Writing copy that sells without seeming “salesy” can…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Purpose Driven Church: Every Church Is Big in God's Eyes

Ray Edwards Why did I love this book?

This book is perhaps the greatest marketing book I have ever read (and I have read many). I came to it reluctantly because I was running a business and not building a church. But from the very first page, I knew this was something special.

Regardless of whether you're religious or not, Rick Warren's insight into what it takes to market a business (or even a church)  is at the level of genius. Some will criticize the book for not being more "spiritual," but this makes it even easier to translate its principles to business and marketing.

By Rick Warren,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Purpose Driven Church as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Rick Warren believers that in order for a church to be healthy if must become a purpose driven church by Jesus. Now the founding pastor of Saddleback Church shares a proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow. . .- Warmer through fellowship - Deeper through discipleship - Stronger through worship - Broader through ministry - Larger through evangelism. Discover the same practical insights and principles for growing a healthy church that Rick…


Book cover of Getting Everything You Can out of All You'Ve Got: 21 Ways You Can out-Think, out-Perform, and out-Earn the Competition

Ray Edwards Why did I love this book?

If ever I have read a book that made a bold promise on the cover and then fully delivered on that promise in the pages of the book itself, it's this one. Reading this book (more than once) has literally helped me outthink, outperform, and outearn my competition.

Jay Abraham is truly the "guru to the gurus" in business growth. I found this book to be the best distillation of Jay's teachings I have ever encountered. It’s been worth more than 100 times the $30 I paid for it. 

By Jay Abraham,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Getting Everything You Can out of All You'Ve Got as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A trusted advisor to America's top corporations and recognized as one of today's preeminent marketing experts, Jay Abraham has created a program of proven strategies to help you realize undreamed-of success!

Unseen opportunities face each of us every day. Using clear examples from his own experience, Jay explains just how easy it can be to find and/or create new opportunities for wealth-building in any existing business, enterprise, or venture.

And just how easy can it be? One entrepreneur took the concept of the ballpoint pen and refined it into a multimillion-dollar idea: roll-on deodorant. Fred Smith of Federal Express took…


Book cover of No B.S. Direct Marketing: The Ultimate No Holds Barred Kick Butt Take No Prisoners Direct Marketing for Non-Direct Marketing Businesses

Ray Edwards Why did I love this book?

This book was a massive revelation to me years ago when I first read it. It showed me how to use all the marketing knowledge I had to help “direct marketing companies”—companies that sold online or through the mail—and transfer it to “regular businesses.”

Regular businesses like retail stores, professional practices, healthcare providers, and virtually any other business you can think of. I am a huge fan of Dan’s work and this is my favorite book by him. One of the most valuable things I learned from this book was how to simplify my marketing and only invest time (and money) in the things that work.

By Dan S. Kennedy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked No B.S. Direct Marketing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Dan S. Kennedy dares marketers to dramatically simplify their marketing, refocusing on what works. Updated to address the newest media and marketing methods, this marketing masterplan delivers a short list of radically different, little-known, profit-proven direct mail strategies for ANY business. Strategies are illustrated by case history examples from an elite team of consultants-all phenomenally successful at borrowing direct marketing strategies from the world of online sales, infomercials, etc., to use in 'ordinary' businesses including retail stores, restaurants, and sales.


Book cover of Launch: How to Sell Almost Anything Online, Build a Business You Love, and Live the Life of Your Dreams

Ray Edwards Why did I love this book?

I have read this book five times, and every time, I feel as if I picked up a new epiphany or distinction about how to launch (or relaunch) a business online. Over the years, I have paid the author, Jeff Walker, tens of thousands of dollars to attend his in-person training and seminars.

I can hardly believe how many of his "secrets" he reveals so openly inside a $27 book. It really does teach how to sell almost anything online, how to create huge “profit events”, and how to do it with excellence and integrity.

By Jeff Walker,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Launch as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The only guide you'll ever need to achieve online marketing success. With new chapters offering fresh information, you'll find all the insider tips in one place.

The revised and updated edition of the #1 New York Times bestseller Launch will build your business - fast. Whether you've already got an online business or you're itching to start one, this is a recipe for getting more traction and a fast start.

Think about it: What if you could launch like Apple or the big Hollywood studios? What if your prospects eagerly counted down the days until they could buy your product?…


Book cover of Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

Ray Edwards Why did I love this book?

The first time I read this book, it hit me like a bolt of lightning. This simple book about how to state your marketing message clearly in a way that makes people decide they must buy your product or service is revolutionary.

Lots of people talk about "telling stories" as a powerful form of communication and persuasion. But Don is the only person I know who does a great job giving you the practical, hands-on, how-to approach so that you can actually do this for yourself. This is a book I reread at least once a year.

By Donald Miller,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked Building a Storybrand as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

More than half-a-million business leaders have discovered the power of the StoryBrand Framework, created by New York Times bestselling author and marketing expert Donald Miller. And they are making millions.

If you use the wrong words to talk about your product, nobody will buy it. Marketers and business owners struggle to effectively connect with their customers, costing them and their companies millions in lost revenue.

In a world filled with constant, on-demand distractions, it has become near-impossible for business owners to effectively cut through the noise to reach their customers, something Donald Miller knows first-hand. In this book, he shares…


Don't forget about my Book 😀

How to Write Copy That Sells: The Step-By-Step System for More Sales, to More Customers, More Often

By Ray Edwards,

Book cover of How to Write Copy That Sells: The Step-By-Step System for More Sales, to More Customers, More Often

What is my book about?

My book is a step-by-step guide to writing fast, easy-to-read, effective copy. Writing copy that sells without seeming “salesy” can be tough, but is an essential business skill.

This book is for everyone who needs to write copy that sells—including copywriters, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. This book supplies specific copywriting techniques for everything from email marketing, websites, and social media to traditional media ads and direct mail.

You might also like...

Book cover of The Boldly Inclusive Leader: Transform Your Workplace (and the World) by Valuing the Differences Within

Minette Norman Author Of The Boldly Inclusive Leader: Transform Your Workplace (and the World) by Valuing the Differences Within

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I spent 20 years leading global teams in Silicon Valley, and I had few role models for empathetic, human, and inclusive leadership. I was committed to being the leader I wished I’d had all those years. I had a lot of success, a big VP-level job, and I loved my work. Then, I got a new manager who bullied, undermined, and silenced me. I decided I wanted to help leaders do better. I became an author, speaker, and consultant focused on inspiring leaders to create an environment where everyone is heard, seen, and respected.

Minette's book list on amazing leader, listener, and human being

What is my book about?

To create innovative, collaborative, and high-performing organizations, we need a new leadership model.

Speaker, consultant, and former Silicon Valley executive Minette Norman is committed to inspiring leaders by sharing some of the most important things she learned over the decades she spent in the corporate world, such as: every human being needs to feel they belong; teams thrive when everyone can share their unique ideas and experiences; innovation is a group activity; empathy and compassion are leadership superpowers; and, leaders set the tone by what they say, do, reward, and tolerate.

This is not a book about quick fixes or…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in entrepreneurs, small business, and customer success?

Entrepreneurs 302 books
Small Business 29 books
Customer Success 19 books