You’ve found our list of the best books on advertising.
Advertising books are guides that teach readers how to promote brands, events and offers. These jobs cover topics such as copywriting, client accounts, advertising strategy, and advertising history. the purpose of these books is to help advertisers sell products more effectively and creatively.
You are reading: Best books about advertising
These guides are a type of business book and are similar to marketing books. books can also complement business strategy guides.
this list includes:
- books on advertising strategy
- books on advertising psychology
- books on online advertising
- reference books on advertising
here we go!
list of advertising books
From classics to new releases, here’s a list of ultra-helpful books on the art of advertising.
1. ogilvy on david ogilvy advertising
ogilvy on advertising is one of the most important books on advertising strategy. Ogilvy is a legend in the advertising industry, often hailed as “the father of advertising.” In this insider guide, Ogilvy lays out the best approaches to running ad agencies, attracting clients, designing campaigns that sell, and adjusting methods to fit the theme. Though written half a century ago, the wisdom still stands, because Ogilvy harnesses the driving forces and principles at the heart of the practice. the result is a timeless strategy that harnesses human psychology for the sake of an ad’s agenda. ogilvy on advertising is a must read or reread for any aspiring publicist.
notable quote: “great ideas come from the unconscious. this is true in art, in science and in advertising. but your unconscious has to be well informed, or your idea will be irrelevant. fill your conscious mind with information, then disengage your rational thought process.”
read ogilvy about advertising.
2. confessions of a publicist by david ogilvy
Confessions of an Advertiser is one of the best-selling advertising books of all time. In this book, advertising legend David Ogilvy shares insights and advice on the advertising industry. This book serves as a combination of memoir and guide that reveals the inner workings of advertising. ogilvy shares stories from his own career teaching readers how to get and keep clients, write persuasive copy, and combine words with powerful images. Most of these lessons from the golden age of Madison Avenue are still true today, as the meditations and mantras on these pages speak to the fundamental building blocks of advertising.
fun fact: this book was mentioned in mad men.
notable quote: “the creative process requires more than reason. most original thought is not even verbal. it requires “a groping experimentation with ideas, governed by intuitive hunches and inspired by the unconscious”. most businessmen are incapable of original thought because they cannot escape the tyranny of reason. their imaginations are blocked.”
read the confessions of a publicist.
3. The Copywriter’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Copy That Sells by Robert W. happily
The Copywriter’s Manual is an instruction manual for writing strong and persuasive copy. The book covers topics like writing headlines, fine-tuning landing pages to encourage conversion, and crafting engaging email marketing. The guide presents a series of tactics for clear and compelling writing. each chapter details a different medium, such as websites, online ads, public relations material, print ads, and videos. The book blends traditional ad formats well with digital media and prescribes general best practices as well as custom techniques. The Copywriter’s Handbook is a handy reference for advertisers looking to master the basics of ad writing and make every statement as impactful as possible.
Notable quote: “Smart advertising can convince people to try a bad product once. But it can’t convince them to buy a product they’ve already tried and didn’t like.”
read the editor’s manual.
4. hey whipple, squeeze this: the classic guide to creating great ads by luke sullivan and edward boches
hey, whipple, squeeze, this is one of the best books on advertising. The guide is a tutorial on how to break into the advertising industry, with a focus on each stage of the creative process. The book traces the history of the modern advertising field from the golden age of the 1950s to the modern digital age, and publishers have released new and updated versions to keep up with changing trends. The authors offer tips for hobbyists on how to be creative and original, tell compelling stories, and protect your work. the tone is humorous and easy to read, yet informative. hey, whipple, squeeze, this is a crash course in all things advertising, and as a personal mentor, you can put it in your pocket.
Notable quote: “A brand is the sum total of all the emotions, thoughts, images, history, possibilities and gossip that exist in the market about a certain company.”
read hey, whipple, squeeze this.
5. advertising concepts book: think now, design later by pete barry
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Advertising Concepts Book: Think Now, Design Later is one of the most useful reference books for advertising. The guide consists of several short paragraphs and numerous illustrations that demonstrate the basics of advertising. The book covers basic concepts like copy creation and crafting strategy, while also mentioning more complex concepts like integrated and interactive advertising. Pete Barry encourages readers to make ads effective and memorable vehicles for spreading awareness and selling products, and teaches readers how to critically evaluate ads. Advertising Concepts Book: Think Now, Design Later is one of the most useful advertising books for beginners and can serve as a reminder of unspoken rules for more experienced professionals.
starred quote: “It is highly unrealistic for even the best creative person to expect their every idea to be an instant award winner. The higher the level of expectation, the more pressure you put on yourself, the more frustrating the process becomes.” creative process and worse results”.
read the book on advertising concepts.
6. the d&ad copybook
The copy book is one of the best advertising reference books. d&ad, which means design & art direction, is a non-profit educational institution that promotes creativity and accessibility in art and design. The organization published this resource on copywriting, which is comprised of the work and insights of dozens of highly regarded advertising professionals including David Abbott and Barbara Nokes. The pages contain profiles of famous copywriters along with information and highlights from their portfolios and serve as the who’s who and the biggest hits of the copywriting world. The copybook is a source of information and inspiration for hobbyists just beginning their advertising journey, as well as seasoned professionals hoping to improve their advertising skills.
starred quote: “my advice. keep your mind and notebook open to real life.”
read the copybook.
7. the art of customer service: the classic guide, updated for today’s marketers and advertisers by robert solomon
The art of customer service focuses more on the business than on the creative side of advertising. The guide explains how to win business, build long-term relationships, earn customer trust, and respond to problems. The author treats customers not as a nuisance, but as an integral part of the industry. The book provides professionals with a set of practical tools to build relationships with clients, win favor and trust, and achieve positive results for clients and the business. the art of customer service is a valuable instruction manual for account executives and any customer-facing advertising function.
Notable quote: “It all starts and ends with what customers want, and what they want is relatively straightforward: consistent execution coupled with strong ideas, driven by people who deeply understand and care about you. your business.”
read the art of customer service.
8. join or die: digital advertising in the age of automation by patrick gilbert
Join or Die is one of the best online advertising books. The text focuses on paid digital ad platforms, such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads, and aims to help advertisers understand how these programs work in order to better optimize them. The book outlines strategies and prescribes PPC best practices to help agencies deliver on their promises to clients and achieve a stronger return on investment. join or die explains automation and the nature of algorithms in layman’s terms and presents case studies to show how to use AI theories in practice.
Notable quote: “It’s no longer about who has the best data. It’s about how you use that data.”
read join or die.
9. claude c hopkins science advertising
Scientific advertising is soon to be a hundred years old, yet the lessons in these pages are as relevant today as they were in the 1920s. In this classic, claude c hopkins presents advertising as a process with measurable and predictable results. . the book explores human psychology and the rules of the advertising world and prescribes techniques to achieve optimal results. chapters cover concepts such as samples, negative publicity, specificity, and test campaigns. Scientific Advertising remains one of the best books of all time on advertising and sales, and is a must-read for anyone in the industry.
Notable quote: “The best ads don’t ask anyone to buy. that’s useless often they don’t quote a price. they do not say that the distributors handle the product. ads are entirely service-based. offer desired information.”
read scientific advertising.
10. the boro lyrics by gary c. halberd and halberd link
Boron Letters is a published collection of correspondence from noted writer Gary C. Javelin Halbert set out to pass on the wisdom gained throughout her professional life to her son through a series of letters, and Bond Halpert, in turn, decided to share those nuggets of knowledge with the world. the letters are packed with practical advice on how to craft good copy and advertise effectively. The council has the love and guidance of a parent along with the invaluable insight of an expert. the letters go back a couple of decades, but they still provide relevant clues about the basics of advertising, as well as life in general.
Notable quote: “Find a market first…and then focus on a product!”
read the letters of boro.
11. truth, lies and publicity: the art of account planning by jon steel
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Truth, Lies, and Advertising provides an overview of account planning, the practice of creating ads that connect with consumers. The book covers concepts such as research, creative briefs, and strategy to share tips on how to make ads that resonate with potential customers. The book gives insight into human nature and urges advertising professionals to put the audience at the center of the creative process, while also collaborating with other areas of the agency. The chapters also contain example campaigns that model effective account planning in action. Truth, Lies, and Advertising lays out the basics of account planning in simple terms and practical steps.
Notable Quote: “The most important lessons of advertising are perhaps all around us in our everyday lives and relationships, and the factors that lead to successful communication in that larger human context are exactly the same as those that work in advertising in all types of media.”
read the truth, lies and advertising.
12. positioning: the battle for your mind by al ries and jack trout
positioning is a master class to earn a place in the consumer’s consciousness. the book shows how to stand out in the increasingly fierce battle for audience attention and position a product, service or organization as the best in the minds of consumers. The central idea is that the public mentally classifies the brands based on the impressions obtained from the ads. the authors lay out ways to win that coveted first place and, by extension, dominate a market. the text provides instructions on every step, from choosing the right battle to choosing the right name, and provides plenty of case studies and examples to show the nuances of the art.
Notable quote: “The basic approach to positioning is not to create something new and different, but to manipulate what is already in the mind, to reattach the connections that already exist.”
read positioning.
13. buyology: truths and lies about why we buy by martin lindstrom
buyology is one of the best books on advertising psychology. The book shares the results of a multi-year neuromarketing study that monitored thousands of volunteers viewing ads. The book covers topics such as subliminal messages, product placement, and rituals and superstitions. Analyzing the data, Martin Lindstrom identifies what engages audiences and what simply catches their eye versus the products that actually sell. the insights challenge long-held beliefs about the advertising industry, such as the widely-repeated so-called wisdom that “sex sells.” buyology is the definitive exploration of the factors that really drive sales and the ways advertisers can harness those elements to drive results.
Notable quote: “When we mark things, our brains perceive them as more special and valuable than they really are.”
read buyology.
14. reality in rosser reeves advertising
reality in advertising provides a comprehensive overview of the advertising industry. The book dispels myths, gives insight into the inner workings of the industry, and prescribes tactics for a more meaningful and impactful advertising career. Rosser Reeves emphasizes the difference between surface appearances and metrics and true performance, and urges readers to dig deep and work hard to sell. The book is full of anecdotes and practical advice that offer a more detailed and realistic portrait of the world of advertising and the role of advertisers. Reality in Advertising is one of the most useful books on advertising for aspiring advertising professionals.
starred quote: “A company with a strong message can get its story into the heads of just a few people and become rich. conversely, a company with a bad message can get its story into everyone’s head and go bankrupt.”
read reality in advertising.
final thoughts
Since its inception, advertising has tapped into primal needs and wants. This obsession with human instinct is why many of the best-selling guides from the golden age of American advertising remain some of the best books on advertising even today. however, with the advent of digital advertising and the increasing role of technology in modern culture and marketing, it’s also helpful to read the latest releases. Regardless of publication date, these books can help professionals mask the skills and strategies needed to resonate with audiences and sell products.
Next, check out this list of growth hacking books, these sales books, and this roundup of social media marketing books.
faq: advertising books
here are answers to common questions about advertising books.
what are advertising books?
advertising books are guides to creating campaigns that generate sales. many of these books have been written by legendary advertisers and executives and provide a solid insight into the world of advertising. These works cover topics such as tips for attracting and serving clients, the inner workings of advertising agencies, the basics of good copy, creating ads in different media, as well as the psychology behind what attracts the attention of the user. consumer and makes a message resonate. .
what are some good advertising books for beginners?
some good advertising books for beginners include confessions of a publicist by david ogilvy, the d&ad copybook, the advertising concept book: think now, design later by pete barry, and hey, whipple, squeeze this from luke sullivan and edward boches.
how are marketing books different from advertising books?
The difference between marketing and advertising books is that marketing deals with a much broader scope of promotion. Marketers typically work on brand building and look long term, while advertising tends to be more independent and focused on immediate sales.
Marketing books tend to be more about spreading awareness and playing the long game, while advertising books focus on creating campaigns, capturing and keeping the audience’s attention, and generating sales.
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