{"id":1366,"date":"2013-09-05T19:00:13","date_gmt":"2013-09-05T18:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/websitecopywritingservices.com\/blog\/?p=1366"},"modified":"2026-02-23T14:00:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T14:00:42","slug":"reading-books-copywriting-gigs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writeonline.io\/blog\/reading-books-copywriting-gigs\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Reading Books Sucks If YOU Want Killer Copywriting Gigs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Warning<\/span>Who else has never read a book since school?<\/p>\n

Now that may seem like a bizarre question to expect from someone who writes for a living. It might even freak you out.<\/p>\n

But the truth is that I’ve never actually read a single book since I left high school.<\/p>\n

OK, I’ve read a fair bit of non-fiction \u2013 and I’ll get onto that in a minute \u2013 but not so much as a single novel, play or any other book of fictional or creative nature.<\/p>\n

Absolutely nothing.<\/p>\n

I detested English Literature at school. I couldn’t even get beyond the first couple of pages of a novel without hyperventilating with boredom.<\/p>\n

So how on earth\u00a0did I end up becoming a copywriter?
\n
\nBecause there’s a demand for people like me \u2013 that’s why<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, you read that right, there is a massive market for copywriters just like myself.<\/p>\n

Maybe you think we’re illiterate or something, but writers like me just aren’t interested in stories, poetry, sonnets and inspired moments of self-expression.<\/p>\n

Instead, all we’re interested in is information. In particular, practical information that makes our lives easier or more pleasurable.<\/p>\n

Give me a book or blog post that shows me how to learn a foreign language, pitch a press release or market my copywriting<\/a> then I’d much rather read that any day.<\/p>\n

Why?<\/p>\n

Because it helps me get where I want to go.<\/p>\n

And here’s the kicker:<\/b> Most other people who are searching for content online are doing just the same.<\/p>\n

Think about the stuff you read when you’re browsing or searching online. Most of it’s just informational<\/strong> or commercial material<\/strong>. It’s so different from literary writing that it may as well be in another language.<\/p>\n

A Bad Education<\/h2>\n

Now this is the controversial bit \u2013 but trust me, as an outsider, I’ve often seen the signs of this in other people’s writing. Basically, if you’re a copywriter then reading books may end up doing you more harm than good<\/i>.<\/p>\n

By reading literature you could be subconsciously learning a writing style that’s no use whatsoever in the straight-talking world of website copywriting and blogging.<\/p>\n

A Reality Check<\/h2>\n

And, while we’re at it, here are another few home truths.<\/p>\n

Most prospective copywriting clients really don’t care if you:<\/p>\n