A “Swipe File” is a place where you store a bunch of inspiration for your marketing. A good swipe file spans different industries, different mediums, and different eras.
Swipe File’s are not used for stealing, but rather gaining inspiration from other work. So if you’re feeling un-inspired you can browse through your Swipe File and gather some ideas quickly.
Marketers have been learning from others forever, but we found the first published mention of a “Swipe File” in a photography magazine from 1975:
Even back then, professional artists and creators were actively collecting their own personal Swipe Files!
There’s 4 main ways you can keep your own Swipe File for future use:
#1.) Keep a Physical Swipe File
This is where you keep a physical folder or drawer full of swipe file examples.
These physical Swipe Files are great for keeping pieces of direct mail, brochures, or flyers you get in the mail.
#2.) Keep a Computer Desktop Swipe File:
This is just a simple folder you keep on your computer desktop. Anytime you stumble across something interesting you want to save, just take a screenshot and drag it into your “Swipe File” folder!
I do this all the time and it’s extremely useful!
The only problem with these computer desktop Swipe Files is they are often kept privately, not shared, and not well categorized.
#3.) Keep a Mobile Swipe File
Since many people spend 50% or more of their internet browsing time on their phone now, having a Swipe File folder on your phone is great!
I save pieces of great content and ads in my phone Swipe File all the time:
Every month or so I’ll transfer all the mobile swipes onto my desktop computer to keep them in sync.
#4.) Use the Free and Curated SwipeFile.com
SwipeFile.com is a completely free, curated, and categorized Swipe File that’s designed for copywriters, direct marketers, freelancers and designers.
Categories on SwipeFile.com:
- ABOUT PAGES
- ADS
- ADVERTORIALS
- BEFORE AND AFTER
- BILLBOARDS
- COPYWRITING
- DIRECT MAIL
- EMAILS
- EVENT MARKETING
- EXPLAINER VIDEOS
- FLYERS
- FORMULAS
- HEADLINES
- HOME PAGES
- NOTES
- OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
- PACKAGING
- PORTFOLIO
- PRICING
- PRINT ADS
- PROFILE PHOTOS
- QUOTES
- RESTAURANT SIGNS
- SAAS PAGES
- SALES PAGES
- SIGNUP FORMS
- SCRIPTS
- TESTIMONIAL EXAMPLES
This is a great option for anyone who hasn’t spent years collecting and curating a Swipe File. This is quite possibly the best Swipe File in the world, and it’s 100% free to use!
↓ Checkout SwipeFile.com here ↓
P.S. It takes time and money to keep this Swipe File updated. Since we don’t make any money from this, all we ask is you kindly share or mention SwipeFile.com if someone asks about a Swipe File. Thank you, and enjoy!
P.P.S. Checkout SwipeFile.com