So, you want to write copy…

But, with the thousands of copywriting courses floating around the web, finding the right one, feels like treading water in steel toe boots.

Well, you’ve come to the right place.

I’m a copywriter. I’m the founder and solo ink-slinger at a tiny copywriting shop called Honey Copy and I run a marketing and copywriting newsletter called Sticky Notes that goes out to 6,000+ folks a week.

(I’ve also created my very own copywriting course… but that’s a conversation for later).

With all that said, the bottom line is this… as a copywriter who makes six-digits a year writing for brands of all shapes and sizes, I know a good copywriting course when I see one… I also can determine if the copywriter who created the course has any chops.

Below you will find the copywriting courses that have caught my eye…

Copywriting courses that will turn you into a magician with the pen.

Before we delve into the good stuff, let’s get one thing straight. I am not an affiliate for any of the copywriting courses I’ve curated down below.

So, I have absolutely no incentive to not recommend what I think is the best. The only course I will actually make money on if you buy is my own.

Now, that aside, let’s talk about how you should digest this information. There is, in fact, a method to the madness.

As you peruse the copywriting courses I’m about to recommend be cognizant of the following pieces of information I’ve included…

Price… $, $$, $$$.

Not all copywriting courses are priced equally. One dollar sign equals less than $100. Two dollar signs equal $200 - $300. And, three dollar signs equals $300+.

Quality… good, great, exceptional.

While all of these copywriting courses are damn good, they’re not all great and few of them are exceptional. However, this is subjective. Something that is good to me might be great to you and vice versa.

Completion… hours, days, weeks.

There are copywriting courses that take forever to complete. And, there are others that can be knocked out in an afternoon. If you’re on a time crunch, don’t fuck around and buy something that’ll take you weeks to get through.

Focus… [fill in the blank].

Some copywriting courses are designed for financial copywriters while others are designed for advertising copywriters. If you want to get a job at an advertising agency, you don’t want to make the mistake of buying a copywriting course that focuses on long-form financial copywriting. So, pay close attention to the focus, too.

Now, let’s begin.

1. The Copy Cure.

Price… $$$.

Quality… Exceptional.

Completion… Days.

Focus… life coaches, online stylists, financial gurus, eCommerce wizards and basically any solo-preneur looking to write better copy.

The Copy Cure is Laura Belgray’s flagship copywriting course she did in partnership with Marie Forleo. For those of you who don’t know her, she runs Talking Shrimp, one of the best copywriting sites in existence today.

I have mixed emotions towards Laura. I have a massive crush on her. I’m wildly inspired by her insane talents with the pen. But, I also want Honey Copy to one day kick Talking Shrimp’s ass.

This is a self-paced course. It’s witty. It’s easily-digestible. It’s a fun read (or work through, rather). Not to mention, Laura shows you tangible ways to improve the copy you have already written.

(Side Note: The one issue with The Copy Cure is that it’s only available once a year… so get on the waitlist).

2. How to write words that sell like a Florida Snow Cone Vendor on the hottest day of the year.

Price… $.

Quality… Great.

Completion… Hours.

Focus… marketers, entrepreneurs and snow cone vendors looking to sell like hell with the written word.

If you’re not a big fan of writers promoting their own work you’ve stumbled into the wrong place. I’m a marketer and a copywriter –– selling comes with the territory.

While How to write words that sell like a Florida Snow Cone Vendor on the hottest day of the year is the most compact copywriting course you’ll find on this list, it ironically sports the longest name.

I created it for folks interested in learning how to write copy that sells, quickly. You can work through this 10,000 word guide in an afternoon. But, it’s packed full of so much information, you will find yourself revisiting it over and over again.

It acts as both a course and a reference book for marketers.

3. Malcolm Gladwell’s Masterclass on writing.

Price… $.

Quality… Great.

Completion… Days.

Focus… copywriters (most specifically those focusing on long-form articles) looking to write better more captivating pieces.

While you would never call Malcolm Gladwell a copywriter, so much of what the best-selling author of Blink and The Tipping Point does is copywriting –– or at the very least can be applied to copywriting.

At its core, copywriting is explaining complex ideas simply and keeping the reader’s eyes on you while doing so.

Being that Gladwell has done this, time and time again, with entire books… I think there is a thing or two copywriters can learn from him.

Malcolm Gladwell’s Masterclass on writing will make you a better writer and in turn a better copywriter (especially if your focus is writing articles).

4. Creative Circus copywriting portfolio school.

Price… $$$$$$$$.

Quality… Exceptional.

Completion… Months/Years.

Focus… for individuals interested in pursuing a career as an advertising copywriter.

As I mentioned earlier, there are various types of copywriters. If we were wanting to get super specific, we could put together a list that runs forever. But, for the sake of time… it’s safe to break copywriters down into two categories.

• Direct response copywriters.
• Creative copywriters.

The latter, creative copywriters, generally work in advertising.

And, in advertising, budding creative talent is expected to go to something called “portfolio school”… an advertising school of sorts that not only teaches students the basic principles of advertising but also allows them to curate a portfolio of their work to show to a potential employer.

Out of everything on this list, the portfolio program Creative Circus offers is by far the most extensive deep dive into creative copywriting.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the advertising big leagues –– working for agencies like Ogilvy, McCann, Droga 5, BBDO –– I would almost argue that attending a portfolio school is a must.

However, if like myself you’re wanting to go rogue (or are an entrepreneur or marketer looking to hone your skills as a copywriter), attending something like the Creative Circus might be overkill.

Not to mention, wildly expensive. Portfolio Schools can cost thousands and in some cases tens of thousands of dollars.

I have never attended a portfolio school and am a self-taught copywriter. So, I couldn’t say what is the best portfolio school out there. However, after quite a bit of research looking at where the top dogs in advertising have graduated, I feel confident saying Creative Circus, Miami Ad School and VCU Brandcenter are all stellar options.

Brainco. in Minneapolis is also an excellent, very affordable option that offers a portfolio school that can be taken online and completed in under a year.

5. Ramit Sethi’s Behind The Sales Page.

Price… $$$.

Quality… Exceptional.

Completion… Weeks.

Focus… for anyone selling high-ticket online products and those interested in learning direct response copywriting.

Ramit Sethi is known widely as a financial guru, investing aficionado and a business magnate. But, what most folks don’t realize is that he is one of the greatest direct response copywriters alive today (and he employs some of the best in the business).

While creative copywriting is what you might see on a billboard or in a glossy magazine ad… direct response copywriting has traditionally been used in sales letters.

It was an extraordinarily effective form of copywriting that focused more on quick, immediate sales rather than larger brand-building strategies employed by creative copywriters.

(At Honey Copy, I try to mesh both creative copywriting and direct response copywriting methodologies together).

With that said, if a business owner came to me in hopes to generate big bucks quickly through pretty words, I would point them in the direction of Ramit Sethi’s course… Behind The Sales Page.

He has built an 8-figure business in I Will Teach You To Be Rich… with direct response copywriting, sometimes generating as much as $5 million in a single week.

So, what’s the best copywriting course?

While I can’t say what the best copywriting course is… I can say what the best copywriting course is for you, your business, your budget and your goals.

• If you run an eCommerce business and are looking to write funny creative copy without spending a fortune, The Copy Cure is the best copywriting course for you.
• If you are wanting to blow away your readers with wildly captivating, thought-provoking articles, then Malcolm Gladwell’s Masterclass on writing is the best copywriting course for you.
• If you are looking to add some flair to understand the basics of copywriting, develop a voice and style for your brand and sell like hell… then How to write words that sell like a Florida Snow Cone Vendor on the hottest day of the year is the best copywriting course for you.
• If you are interested in pursuing a career as a creative copywriter in advertising, I would highly recommend the portfolio program over at Creative Circus.
• If you want to become well-versed in direct-response copywriting then you Behind The Sales Page is the best copywriting course for you.

Happy ink-slinging, folks.

By Cole Schafer.