If you are staring at a blank screen trying to write a sales page, email, or product description, you already know that finding the right word can make or break your conversion rate. That is exactly where More Words That Sell by Richard Bayan steps in. This review breaks down whether this specific reference book is actually worth your time and money, or if you are better off sticking to a standard online thesaurus.
We are not going to waste time with fluffy praise or generic marketing jargon. This is a practical look at what the book delivers, who it actually helps, and where it falls short for certain users. By the end of this review, you will know exactly whether this belongs on your desk or in your digital swipe file.
Delaying the purchase means you will keep staring at the same blank document, wasting billable hours trying to brainstorm synonyms. For less than the cost of a single takeout meal, you get a permanent shortcut that pays dividends every time you write an email, ad, or product description.
Article Outline
- Quick Verdict: Who This Book Is Actually For
- What You Get Inside the Pages
- The Honest Truth: Where It Falls Short
Quick Verdict: Who This Book Is Actually For
If you already know the basics of copywriting but constantly freeze up when trying to find a punchier way to say "high-quality," this book is a no-brainer. Richard Bayan packed over 3,500 high-powered words, phrases, and slogans into 175 highly organized pages. It acts less like a traditional reading book and more like a tactical swipe file you can keep open on your desk.
However, if you are a complete beginner looking for a step-by-step guide on how to write a sales letter from scratch, this is not it. It is strictly a reference tool, not a foundational masterclass. For the right buyer, though, it pays for itself the first time it helps you rescue a stalled email campaign.
You can check current pricing on Amazon to see if it fits your budget, but at under twenty dollars for the paperback, the barrier to entry is incredibly low.
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| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | More Words That Sell |
| Author | Richard Bayan |
| Length | 175 pages |
| Best For | Copywriters, marketers, and entrepreneurs needing quick, persuasive phrasing. |
| Main Drawback | It is a reference thesaurus, not a deep-dive copywriting course. |
| Starting Price | ~$18.98 (Paperback) |
What You Get Inside the Pages
Richard Bayan spent over two decades as an award-winning advertising copywriter, and that experience shows in how this book is structured. Instead of forcing you to read cover to cover, the book is divided into nearly thirty alphabetically arranged, special-purpose categories. You can instantly jump to sections like "Power Words," "Sounds," "Technology," or "Youth Market" to find exactly what your current project needs.
The real value here is speed. When you are on a tight deadline and your brain keeps offering the word "good," this book gives you better alternatives that actually trigger an emotional response. It also includes practical checklists and highlights clichés to avoid, which saves you from sounding like every other generic marketer in your niche.
Another standout feature is the inclusion of sections dedicated to modern internet marketing and advertising trends. Bayan did not just recycle old dictionary entries; he curated phrases that reflect current consumer behavior and digital communication styles. This makes the book surprisingly relevant for writing landing pages, social media ads, and email sequences today.
That said, you need to know the limitations. This is not a book that will teach you the psychology of a sales funnel or how to structure a landing page. If you need foundational copywriting education, you are better off starting with something like How to Write Sales Letters That Sell. This book assumes you already know how to write and just need a better vocabulary to do it faster.
The Honest Truth: Where It Falls Short
No tool is perfect, and this book is no exception. Because it is purely a reference guide, it can feel a bit dry if you try to read it like a normal book. The magic only happens when you actively use it alongside a live writing project.
Additionally, veteran copywriters who already maintain massive, personalized swipe files might find some of the suggestions obvious. The book shines brightest for intermediate marketers, small business owners, and freelancers who do not yet have a massive mental database of power phrases.
Ultimately, keeping everything manual and relying on basic synonyms costs you more time than the software or books designed to fix it. For the right buyer, this is absolutely worth trying to speed up your workflow and sharpen your messaging.
What You Actually Get Inside
Richard Bayan packed over 3,500 high-powered words, phrases, and slogans into 175 highly organized pages. Unlike a traditional book you read cover to cover, this operates as a tactical swipe file you keep open on your desk. You can instantly jump to nearly thirty alphabetically arranged, special-purpose categories like "Power Words," "Sounds," "Technology," or "Youth Market."
The layout is built for speed when you are on a tight deadline. Instead of staring at a blinking cursor trying to replace the word "good," you flip to the relevant section and find alternatives that actually trigger an emotional response. It also includes practical checklists and highlights clichés to avoid, saving you from sounding like every other generic marketer in your niche.
Bayan did not just recycle old dictionary entries for this edition. He curated phrases that reflect current consumer behavior and digital communication styles, making it highly relevant for writing landing pages, social media ads, and email sequences today.
The Good Stuff
The biggest advantage of this book is how it eliminates decision fatigue during the writing process. When you already know your strategy but just need the right vocabulary, having a curated list of persuasive terms cuts your drafting time in half. You stop settling for weak, passive language and start writing copy that commands attention. This immediate utility is what separates a true reference guide from a theoretical marketing textbook.
Another major strength is the complete lack of overlap with Bayan’s first book, Words That Sell. If you already own the original, you are getting entirely new material here, not just a repackaged version of the same lists. This makes it a genuine upgrade for returning readers.
The book also shines in its niche-specific sections. Whether you are writing a resume, a B2B sales letter, or a product description, the categorized approach helps you zero in on the exact tone your specific audience expects. It is a practical tool that pays for itself the first time it rescues a stalled email campaign.
Pricing and How It Compares to Alternatives
At around $18.98 for the paperback, this book costs less than a single takeout meal. When you compare that to the hourly rate of a freelance copywriter or the time you waste staring at a blank screen, the return on investment is immediate. However, it helps to know how it stacks up against other popular copywriting references.
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| Book Title | Best For | Main Strength | Main Drawback | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| More Words That Sell | Intermediate copywriters needing fresh, niche-specific phrasing. | 3,500+ categorized, high-impact words with zero overlap from the first book. | Purely a reference guide, not a step-by-step copywriting course. | ~$18.98 |
| Words That Sell (Revised) | Beginners building their first swipe file. | 6,000+ foundational synonyms and alternatives for common weak words. | Some entries feel broad compared to the targeted approach of the sequel. | ~$15.69 |
| Phrases That Sell | Marketers who need ready-made sentence structures. | Focuses on complete phrases and transitions rather than single words. | Less flexibility if you need to adapt the phrase to a highly specific niche. | ~$9.60 |
| The Craft of Copywriting | Those wanting deep strategic frameworks alongside vocabulary. | Teaches the psychology behind why certain words convert. | Requires more reading time; not a quick-flip reference book. | ~$17.00 |
If you are a complete beginner, starting with the original Words That Sell might make more sense. But if you already grasp the basics and need sharper, more targeted phrasing, More Words That Sell is the superior choice for your specific needs.
Why You Need to Get It
Delaying this purchase means you will keep relying on the same tired vocabulary that blends in with your competitors. Every time you settle for a weak word in a subject line or a headline, you are leaving conversions on the table. This book gives you the exact vocabulary needed to fix that problem immediately. At some point, keeping your writing process manual and unassisted costs you more in lost sales than a twenty-dollar book does.
Some writers argue that a free online thesaurus is enough for their daily work. A standard thesaurus gives you synonyms, but it does not tell you which words actually persuade buyers to take action. Bayan’s lists are battle-tested in real advertising campaigns, giving you a distinct advantage over generic, context-blind suggestions. You get the psychology of selling baked directly into the word choices.
If you are serious about improving your conversion rates, you need tools that speed up your workflow. Get started with More Words That Sell today and stop letting weak copy sabotage your marketing efforts. Your future self will thank you when you finish your next sales page in half the time.
How It Stacks Up Against Alternatives
You might wonder if a standard online thesaurus or a different copywriting book does the job better. The truth is, generic synonym finders lack the conversion-focused context this book provides. Here is how it compares to other popular writing resources.
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| Tool | Best For | Main Strength | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| More Words That Sell | Intermediate copywriters needing fresh, niche-specific phrasing. | 3,500+ categorized, high-impact words with zero overlap from the first book. | Purely a reference guide, not a step-by-step copywriting course. |
| Words That Sell (Revised) | Beginners building their first swipe file. | 6,000+ foundational synonyms and alternatives for common weak words. | Some entries feel broad compared to the targeted approach of the sequel. |
| Phrases That Sell | Marketers who need ready-made sentence structures. | Focuses on complete phrases and transitions rather than single words. | Less flexibility if you need to adapt the phrase to a highly specific niche. |
| The Craft of Copywriting | Those wanting deep strategic frameworks alongside vocabulary. | Teaches the psychology behind why certain words convert. | Requires more reading time; not a quick-flip reference book. |
Choose More Words That Sell if you already know copywriting basics and just need sharper, targeted phrasing to break through writer's block. Opt for Words That Sell (Revised) if you are a complete beginner building your foundational vocabulary from scratch. Pick The Craft of Copywriting only if you want deep psychological frameworks and are willing to read cover-to-cover instead of using a quick-reference guide.
My Honest Final Verdict
This book is a highly practical, no-nonsense reference tool for marketers, freelancers, and business owners who write daily. It will not teach you how to build a sales funnel or master deep human psychology. However, it will instantly upgrade your headlines, emails, and product descriptions with proven, high-impact vocabulary. If you are tired of settling for weak, passive language, this is a smart, low-risk investment.
You should skip this purchase if you are looking for a comprehensive, step-by-step copywriting course. It is also unnecessary if you already maintain a massive, personalized swipe file of proven phrases. For everyone else, keeping this on your desk will save you hours of frustration every single week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this book good for complete beginners?
It is better suited for intermediate writers who already understand basic copywriting principles. Beginners might get more value from the original Words That Sell, which covers broader foundational synonyms.
Does it overlap with the first book?
No. Richard Bayan specifically designed this sequel to contain entirely new material with zero overlapping words from his first book. You get fresh content, not a repackaged version of the same lists.
Can I use this for non-sales writing?
Yes. The categorized lists are highly effective for resumes, cover letters, and general business correspondence. It helps you project confidence and clarity whenever you need to persuade a reader.
Stop letting weak vocabulary sabotage your marketing efforts. Delaying this purchase means you will keep relying on the same tired words that blend in with your competitors.
Get started with More Words That Sell today