I have been wondering, what would be the list of essential skills that you would need to be a good persuasive copy-writer, which different areas would you need to be knowledgable in.

I will start off with probably a more advanced skill, one I know nothing about really right now but feel if I did know I would be a great writer, Neuro Linguistic Programming,

Having this skill I believe I would know more psychological triggers and make more sub-conciously persuasive text.

I have never thought any special skills were necessary to succeed in copywriting other than a mastery of the English language and good people skills in order to have good relationships with clients. Other than that, I feel a person can pick up what they need to know by getting pointers from people like Bob Bly and "masters" of the field.

I think writing has got to be the most essential skill toward persuasive copywriting but within that there are many other things one could do to improve.

Your personality is inevitably going to come through your writing and having good people skills is very important not only in the writing itself but also in handling clients properly. If you don't know how to treat people well it's going to come through the text itself and in customer relations.

Good points,

I think it's true, to write sales copy you wouldn't need any particular skills more than being a good writer, nothing that couldnt be picked up and learned from some or other expert in the field, as previously mentioned.

However I think that being skilled in particular fields like psychology for example would give you an edge with your sales copy. (i am not btw)

Also the reason I ask about NLP is because I used to think it was just some mumbo jumbo, but recently I've been looking into it and it seems to make a lot of sense, and from what I've read would make for some powerful and persuasive copy.

I know it's not the be all and end all, however if you work for a big client who can get a lot of exposure to your advert/sales page then if 1 sentence can make the difference between 5% and 10% conversion rate its worth trying as much as possible to find what works, any tricks at all to help boost that conversion up.

That's true.

If you were decently versed in some aspects of psychology or sociology I could see that knowledge being able to give a bit of an edge. Mostly though I think reading up and doing constant research in the form of perusing forums, reading articles, etc. would provide the best basis.

Pretty much the more you know the better when it comes to persuasive copywriting. Every little bit can lead to more interest and traffic.

Remember what it's like to be the consumer.

Before a copywriter is a copywriter there had to be that time where you lived in the world, read things and then critiqued them in your own mind. Half as someone who wanted to write copy, but the other half was still the all encompassing consumer who is supposed to be being targeted.

Remember what it's like to read something and think, "This isn't reaching me, and how could I make it better?"

well, am new to this forum and i can as well welcome myself to a community of people who want to make a mark in copywriting.
as regards the topic at hand,i really think one skill needed is the discipline to put your self in the shoes of the target prospect because what i have come to realise as a copywriter is the fact that most writers these days write to entertain and not really to sell what brand or product they are assigned.

Having good language skills is just a fraction of what is required to write a sales copy or be persuasive.
The best in the business know how to tap the mind of their readers, push the right buttons and evoke emotions. To do all of that you require basic understanding of how psychology works.

I dont claim to be an authority on the subject, but I have read enough to know that psychology is very important in any form of sales and marketing. You can literally suck readers in with the right language.

Important note, though not exactly related to copywriting, look at the political speeches made by Obama and McCain.
Enough said!

One good book right at the top of my list is : Covert Persuasion. Perhaps there is some material which you will find useful.
If interested, buzz me, I have a copy