Copywriters read.

Besides actually sitting down and writing, it’s the only way to get good at writing.

Do you read good copy online, save swipe files, and even collect impressive direct mail pieces? Are you doing everything you can to understand how to get your message across and convert visitors into customers?

If not, start by reading copywriters who are really, really, really good at making things happen. I write, and read about writing daily, so I know who the great ones are. I’m sharing my list  of the best-of-the-best copywriters so you can do the same.

While they ‘re all drop-dead great, they each have their own style that comes from years of perfecting their craft.

Want some writing inspiration? Add a few of these writers’ blogs to your Feedly, or follow some on Twitter. Whatever you do, get your hands on some of their copy and study it!

I originally set out to write up a short description of why each writer is good, but instead decided to let their writing stand for itself. You’ll find links below to some of my favorite copywriters to follow — even some whose work isn’t commonly found online — and the best writing found on their websites, sales pages, emails, or guest blog posts.

So, without further ado, here’s the latest of the best copywriting around today.

Challenge: Bet you can’t NOT click something, do something they recommend, or at least change your mind about writing copy as you read their stuff. Oh, you’re going to love this.

1. Sandi Krakowski @sandikrakowski

An active blogger and teacher, Sandi was also my copywriting mentor for a spell. It was amazing having her keen eyes on my writing during our 6-month mentorship. She’s lots of fun, and always inspirational, too. Here’s a recent sample of her prolific blog: Where Should Most Of Your Activity Be In your Business Online?

2. Gary Bencivenga:

The landing page to sign up for the Marketing Bullets newsletter shows off this copywriter’s talent.

3. Bob Bly

Consider Bob Bly’s portfolio a swipe file of great copy. He’s an prolific, working copywriter who holds workshops, too!

4. Joanna Wiebe @copyhackers

…breaks it down for you and she’s an unapologetic sales person who’s into testing copy. Love her.

5. Brian Clark @BrianClark

Founder of Copyblogger…Not sure if he’s actively writing copy anymore, but he produces material and products related to copywriting and infomarketing. Bet you’re already following him, too!

6. Sonia Simone @soniasimone

She helps people who hate marketing, and delights people who do.

7. Dan Kennedy

The head of GKIC, and accessible mostly through his courses and products, you can still check out books like The Ultimate Sales Letter, and the No BS Marketing series of books.

8. John Carlton @johncarlton007 (tweets like never, so don’t bother)

…but he has a great blog, The Rant.

9. Mark Ford/Michael Masterson

Under the pen name Michael Masterson, he developed a thorough copywriting course for AWAI called The Accelerated Program for 6-Figure Copywriting. (I recommend it, and if you’re on the email list, sometimes you can even get if for 50% off…no affiliation here.) Mark Ford still writes occasionally for EarlyToRise, and writes books on entrepreneurship.

10. Richard Armstrong

“Why bother reading this long and self-aggrandizing letter?” Because it’s good…and you’ll want the Free Sample Book

11. Demian Farnworth @demianfarnworth

I always want to put an “s” between the “n” and “f” in his last name, but there’s not. His writing rocks. Not social on Twitter, but he promotes his stuff there and on Copyblogger and here.

12. James Chartrand  …is really a she, and her blog Men with Pens entertains. She writes copy and designs pretty websites. 

Hope you enjoy these folks if you’re new to copywriting. Seasoned veterans, please share writers who trip your trigger in the comments below!