Reviews (41)

One of the best books on crafting mouthwatering copy ever written!
Joe Sugarman is a copywriting and marketing genius.
Ditto
After reading all the 5 star reviews I have nothing to add. I agree this is an excellent book.

A Consumate Master of the Written Word
Notice the last two words in the title -- 'Written Word.' Writing something that is intended to be read is different than writing for television, radio, or anything else that is to be spoken. There are different techniques for the two approaches, and Mr. Sugarman is a consumate master of the written word.
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Subjects:  1. Advertising    2. Advertising copy    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. Direct Marketing    6. Mail Order    7. Marketing - General   

Reviews (4)

APromising Start but dissapointing finish
While waiting for my wife to finish shopping at the Tyson's Corner LL Bean store in the Washington DC area, I came across"The Making of LL Bean".Leon Beam, the grandson of LL Bean, weaves an interesting story about his start with the company and his struggles with an entrenched older icon that chooses to rest on his laurels instead of modernizing a family business ["I eat three meals a day, I can't eat four," is one of the elder Bean's more infamous pithy quotations].
Bean's Best
Since Mr. Gorman was kind enough to give me a copy of his book, as he did to all his full-time employees, I thought I'd be kind enough to read it.I'm glad I did.This is the finest business autobiography I've read in years.Apart from the wonderful discussion of values--a lot of companies talk about values; at L.L. Bean we live them--what makes this book compelling is its candor and the complex portrait that emerges of founder Leon Leonwood Bean, who, I gather, could be a real bear to work for.There are other delights as well, such as Mr. Gorman's insistence that employees be well-paid and treated with respect, exemplified by the elided quotation: "Superior paying jobs attract superior performing people."How many corporate leaders build that perceptive consideration into their strategic initiatives?Not many, I'm afraid.
Balancing tradition against growth...
L. L. Bean is the classic example of the cultural icon company...One that has been around forever, runs by a different set of rules, and has a fanatically loyal customer base.Leon Gorman, the last family member to serve as President of the company, recounts the history and struggles in his book L. L. Bean: The Making of an American Icon.It's an interesting look at how doing a few things correctly can overcome a number of other things done really badly.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Camping equipment industry    5. Corporate & Business History - General    6. Corporate & Business History - Strategies    7. History Of Specific Companies    8. Industries - General    9. Industries And Trades (Economic Aspects)    10. Mail Order    11. Mail-order business    12. United States    13. History of specific subjects    14. Retail sector    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. E-Commerce - General    5. Electronic commerce    6. Encyclopedias    7. Internet in public administration    8. Mail Order    9. Mobile commerce    10. Reference    11. Business & Management    12. Central government    13. General encyclopaedias    14. Telephone technology   

Reviews (6)

Just About Everything You Need to Know
Virtually every company that makes things has to ahve a catalog. It's the thing that tells your customers what you do and gives them the detailed information that they need to make a decision.
The ultimate handbook of catalog selling
If you want to read only one book on the catalog business, make sure you pick this one.
Don't start a Catalog until you've read this book!!!
This is such a great book for a company that is starting a Catalog business or thinking about it.It covers all aspects of the Catalog business and gives you a checklist of all the necessary tasks to launching a successful catalog.Great book... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Advertising & Promotion    2. Advertising, Direct-mail    3. Business & Economics    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business/Economics    6. Commercial catalogs    7. Mail Order    8. Marketing - Direct    9. Business & Economics / Advertising & Promotion    10. Sales & marketing   

Reviews (8)

PRICELESS INFORMATION FOR DIRECT MARKETERS
This is as close as one gets to being a kid is a direct marketing candy store. Although, the examples are increasingly dated, they are no less brilliant examples of dos and donts. A great starting point or swipe file. Add it to your library today.

New Edition Now Covers Internet and E-Mail
The thesis of this book is really quite simple. Some marketing programs simply work better than others. Here in one (large) book is a collection of the best programs put together by the best in the business. With this new edition, the latest trends in direct marketing are discussed giving them exposure along with the old standbys. Also some of the techniques (sweepstakes) that were huge a few years back have crashed in popularity. Their story is included.
Like a marketing course in school
I got this book, despite the high price, because I needed to write some copy and was trying to get some good advice.The book is well organized and has lots of examples.The negative is that some of the sections probably won't be good examples to each reader so that even though something here will be helpful, not all of it will, but you still have to pay for it all.The other problem is that most of it is geared towards the big players, those with national scope and budgets.Read more

Subjects:  1. Advertising, Direct-mail    2. Awards    3. Business & Economics    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business/Economics    6. Information services    7. Mail Order    8. Marketing - Direct    9. United States    10. Advertising    11. Business & Economics / General    12. Business & Management    13. Business communication & presentation    14. Internet   

Reviews (1)

Inspired Reading
While reading "Revolution" I had a conversation with a freind, Linda, and she just purchased "The Coaching Revolution" on-line. I told Linda, I read through half of Logan and King (finishing up the excellent Core Values section), and said "You gotta look at getting this book..." Reading Logan and King is different experientially-- being that I'm reading some of what I have heard in conversations with John King. The book is an easy and quick read. Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Coaching    5. Leadership    6. Mail Order    7. Management - General    8. Motivational    9. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (6)

Pricey Book!Save Your Money and Time!!
This book was a complete waste of money and time.I've been in the direct marketing/mail business for 13 years and I'm always looking for new angles to better my business.This guy doesn't seem to know what he is talking about and it makes me wonder if he really has any experience in the mail order business at all.
Outdated
This book is outdated for the 21st century. The basics are there and in great detail but most of the information is useless for today.

Good, if old fashioned, basics
Whilst the core business ideas of this book are very sound and there is a lot of very useful and specific information I can't help feeling that it's a bit dated. It needs a big revamp to include the whole Internet world. I also felt that the copywriting examples, whilst they probably still work, are representative of the 50s and 60s rather than the 21st century. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Direct Marketing    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Industries - Retailing    6. Mail Order    7. Mail-order business    8. Small Business Management    9. Business & Economics / Retailing    10. Sales & marketing    11. Small businesses & self-employed   

Reviews (13)

Nothing new and/or exciting.........
Good reference for someone just starting out.......but is not a definite "must have." You can spend very little time on the internet to find the same and MUCH MORE information for free. I was very disappointed to learn I had already signed up for the same sites mentioned in the book and have been a member for at least 5-6 years on those sites.

Good on saving resources, not so much on earning
I have been making money online since 1998 and am always checking out resources to help me make more. The Mom's Guide to Earning and Saving Thousands on the Internet offers some terrific savings ideas and resources in one place. It's especially helpful for busy moms who don't have time to research and investigate resources themselves.
The Mom's Guide to Earning and Saving Thousands on the Internet
This book is a great resource for oodles of websites for almost everything.Over the last few years I have spent a lot of time on the internet and already am aware of most of the content offered, but there was lots of stuff that was new to me as well.I was hoping for a little more on the earning 'thousands'aspect, but I think that is in part due to limitations on what is available on the internet.Of course, it also depends on how much time you are willing to spend doing these things.Overall, I thought this was a great comprehensive guide to anyone who uses the internet, not just moms.
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Subjects:  1. Budgeting    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Computer network resources    4. Consumer Behavior - Consumer Guides    5. Consumer Buying Guides    6. Consumer Guides    7. Consumer education    8. Family    9. Family & Relationships    10. Family/Marriage    11. Finance, Personal    12. General    13. Mail Order    14. Mothers    15. Shopping    16. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Direct marketing    3. Direct selling    4. Mail Order    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - General    8. Cultural studies    9. Ethnography    10. Retail sector   

Reviews (2)

A very handy reference work.
Need a mail order catalog?900 categories (such as art works, books, hats, umbrellas, yoga) lead you to 15,000 catalog entries, each with the regular address, 5,000 internet addresses, and phone (in many cases tollfree numbers).Want to buy something (e.g., a camera, a VCR) and check outthe options first? Look up the category, then contact the manufacturersor retailers.See what I mean handy?

This catalog has a lot of out-dated information
In the Catalog of Catalogs, several of the business I called were either out of business or had been sold. And of the book catalogs, many of them were publishing companies who only listed those books they published. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Catalogs    3. Commercial catalogs    4. Directories    5. General    6. Mail Order    7. Mail-order business    8. Reference    9. United States   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Direct Marketing    4. Direct selling    5. Mail Order    6. Mail-order business    7. Marketing - Multilevel   

Reviews (2)

Awesome Study Guide
I found this book to be the best study guide I have ever used. If you need the textbook for a class you should purchase this study guide. It includes short 1-2 page chapter summaries of every chapter which really help cut down the study time. It also includes chapter quizes and pre-tests with answers so you will certainly be prepared for any test. If used properly you don't need the actual textbook! I got an A in Micro and I credit it entirely to this study guide.

disappointed
the book was listed as being new when it was not. Had quite a bit of the answers in the guide and it was the earlier edition, which was not the intended book I wanted to purchase. Very disappointed with my purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Mail Order    4. Microeconomics   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Corporate & Business History - Strategies    5. Decision Making & Problem Solving    6. Decision making    7. Development - Business Development    8. Mail Order    9. Organizational effectiveness    10. Problem solving    11. Success in business    12. Business & Economics / Mail Order    13. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry    14. Management decision making   

Reviews (3)

Challenges faced in family business
At last, here is a book that holds up a mirror to the reader. No one can read these cases without relating to and empathizing with these families and their stories: how they each grappled with the common dilemmas and challenges that must be faced when you own a family business. The most important theme runs like an artery through every case: healthy, adult family relationships and a strong business lead to successful family businesses generation after generation.� Excellent Family Business Resource
Fowler's book is an excellent resource for business owning families. Having worked in several family businesses and on the boards of several family companies, I am acutely aware of the potential for heartbreak. A rare few worked. The opposite is the general case. After a family/business conflict, it is not uncommon for family members to never talk again for the rest of their lives. Some family business consultants, like Dean Fowler, have found better ways. His book describes through case studies how successful family businesses thrive from generation to generation.

Things I really needed to know
This book opened my eyes about the challenges of being in a family business. I'm involved in a family business right now, and there are things I definitely have to start talking about with family members. Many of the issues in the book have never been discussed in our business and it makes me want to start asking questions and getting answers. The stories in it are very believable (sp?) and I really enjoyed reading it - along with getting excellent information about the pitfalls of family business. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics / Mail Order    2. Business/Economics    3. Business    4. Business & Economics    5. Family-owned business enterprises    6. Management    7. Succession   

Reviews (13)

Totally engrossing and not just for business-types
In an era in which corporations are measured on quarterly, single bottom-line returns, John Abrams presents a compelling case that a multiple bottom-line, values oriented, long term focus can be a successful business strategy in The Company We Keep.
A Must-Read for every MBA program and anyone interested in succeeding in business with integrity!
Can a company built and grown on Abrams's hippie values of kindness, love, respect, honesty, and freedom of the individual actually be successful in this era rife with competition?
Blueprint for REAL Success
This is an excellent business book!
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Mail Order    6. Management - General    7. New Business Enterprises    8. Small Business - General    9. Strategic Planning   

Reviews (4)

Informative
This book was a pretty good book.It gives lots of examples as what to do, and what I learned from, what not to do.Very informative and the information can be used to look back on.Lots of examples to writing classified ads as well as sales letter that will get you the responses you are aiming for.

Very Informative
This book is a good book to start off with. Im starting my own home based business and I felt like I was about ready to start after reading this. He gives you good examples of classfied ads that he has used and shows you how to write sales letters that will pull responses. He tells you what you should and shouldnt do. I will probably always refer to this book. You should also try Melvin Powers mail order books but dont try 101 Great Mail Order Businesses by Tyler Hicks.

ex cell ent, wold recommend to others
experienced writer, philospher, adult, creative, thoughtful, kind, generouse, genius, lazy, reliable, acgive, energi ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Industries - Retailing    5. Mail Order    6. Mail-order business    7. New business enterprises    8. Small business    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / Retailing    11. Sales & marketing    12. Small businesses & self-employed   

Reviews (2)

Understanding British Accounting
This book is on how to understand financial accounting sheets. It is British, so some of the terms being used are a bit unusual to Americans. As a for instance, all of the numbers are in pounds, not dollars. It is intended for the business manager without an accounting background. It could also be used as the basis for a business studies course.
The Meaning of Company AccountsReid & Myddelton
I am using this book as reading material for an MBA. I felt it could explore the deaper meaning of ratio analysis and its relevance within more industries. The size looks unitidy in my bookcase.But the soft covercertainly brought the price down and it hs proved invaluable as I have verylittle in the way of accounting knowledge. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting    2. Accounting - General    3. Business & Economics    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business/Economics    6. Corporations    7. Financial statements    8. Mail Order    9. Reference - General    10. Management accounting   

Reviews (1)

Growing a Business the Right Way
Fascinating approach that skewers the notion that innovation is the savior of business growth. Sergio Zyman provides examples galore showing how innovation has derailed many a company from its true course.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Mail Order    5. Market segmentation    6. Marketing - General    7. Marketing Management    8. Business & Economics / General   

Reviews (7)

Copyright date is VERY misleading
With a copyright date of 1993, I was expecting this book to be a little dated.If you look carefully at the copyright page, however, you'll notice that the original copyright date is 1964 with another edition in 1984.This version isn't really a new edition, it's simply a hopelessly outdated waste of time.
Super Outdated!There are Better Books to Learn From!!!
Here's the deal:If you are serious about making money in mail order or direct response, don't get any of these waste-of-time books that "claim" to show you the business.The ONLY book that I've ever read that can (almost) exactly mirror exactly what I do for my $7-million per year business is a book by Vincent James called The 12-Month Millionaire which you can get on eBay (or type in on a search engine) since it's not a regular published book.The only thing I wouldn't follow in that book is the low priced items he recommends selling like wrinkle creams and weight loss pills (stick with information courses of $199+ with mail order as a RULE, ALWAYS).Lower end products of $99 or less will cause you to lose money in mail order EVERY TIME!!

From Debt to Success
E.J. Cossman's book is part of my support system and changed my life for the better. E. Joseph Cossman advice helped me to go from debt to success (out of debt) in less than 3 years. The book contains advice to help anyone. The advice is not limited to mailorder, and applicable to all businesses and professions. Yes, your job can benefit from the advice. Don't be afraid to invest in this book and use the advice to help yourself from debt to success. Sounds like a good title for a book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Direct Marketing    5. Industries - Retailing    6. Leadership    7. Mail Order    8. Mail-order business    9. Small Business - General    10. Business & Economics / Leadership    11. Sales & marketing   

Reviews (4)

A DEFINITE MUST-HAVE FOR A SUCCESSFUL COPYWRITER!
I've been writing copy for 15 years and this is one of the books I used to get started.It is one that I keep referring to over and over.Between this book and Dan Kennedy's "Ultimate Sales Letter," you'll have everything you need in order to create multi-million dollar sales letters.I've made approximately $10 million in the last 5 years from my sales pieces.I don't give these two books all the credit but they were absolutely invaluable in my beginning as a novice copywriter years ago.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Exceptionally well-explained copywriting training
Mr Lewis has again written a classic - this book, especially starting with Ch 4 "How to Be a First-Rank Wordsmith", reveals the craft of writing compelling copy with remarkable clarity.
The Master of This Craft
Lewis is the undisputed master of his craft, and this small book does an excellent job of distilling and presenting the basics. As a writing teacher, I recommend it to all of my classes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Advertising    2. Advertising & Promotion    3. Advertising copy    4. Advertising, Direct-mail    5. Business & Economics    6. Business / Economics / Finance    7. Business/Economics    8. Mail Order    9. Marketing - Direct    10. Business & Economics / General