If you’ve been in the copywriting business for very long at all, you’ve probably heard the term swipe file.  Let’s discuss this idea in a little more depth, and uncover the mysteries of building a powerful swipe file.

Using a swipe file is a great way to “swipe” ideas and formats to use in your own copy. We’re all exposed to marketing techniques and advertising on a regular basis.  Start a  file of the ads that appeal to you. Pay attention to the times you read an excellent sales letter and end up buying the product - even when you weren’t originally planning to. The techniques used in these sales letters are the ones that you want to master!

Keep a notebook, file drawer, or journal and add to it regularly. Many copywriters prefer physical swipe files, as they can view the colors, headlines, and graphics quickly, and note which ones are the most visually appealing. Others prefer to keep their swipe file digitally, enabling them to store many files in a small space. Experiment and see which option works best for you.

As you go about your daily business routine, note email subjects, headlines, and offers that appeal to you. Write them down, print them out, or bookmark them - just get them into your swipe file. The next time you sit down to write copy, you’ll have a wonderful idea bank to work from. As you add the information, be sure to note (either on the file or as a note on the individual paper) the reason that you picked it for your swipe file. Highlight the phrases and offers that appealed to you.

As you grow your business, your swipe file will become an invaluable tool. Take the time to add to it regularly, and you’ll be amazed at the results it helps you to achieve. Emulate the masters using your personal swipe file, and stretch your copywriting skills to the max!

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As you launch your copywriting career, you will gradually pick up both regular and occasional clients. As you do so, it is important to schedule appropriately, leaving space for incoming clients, while maintaining your current client base.

When scheduling, break each copywriting job down into the number of hours you think it will take, total. Then, working backwards, figure out how many hours per day you plan to work on it, and set a tentative delivery date. Add a few days, to allow for the unexpected, and you have the date to present to your client.

Adding a few extra days, or padding your deadline, helps to minimize stress. If you stick to your original schedule and are able to complete the project early, you’ll become known as someone who overdelivers. If you get behind,  you’ve built in a few extra days for just such an occasion.  Padding your deadlines helps you to always appear competent, instead of frantically struggling to meet deadlines and turning in late work.

Each week, map out your schedule on your calendar. View a month in advance, if possible. This allows you to see what your future schedule looks like when scheduling new clients. Be sure to add repeating appointments and regular weekly or monthly gigs to your calendar, as well, so that you’re always aware of how much work is due on a given day.

By scheduling carefully, you can ensure that you’re the person your clients go to when they need work on time, every time.

Happy writing!

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As a writer, you may be itching to break into the freelance world, but be lacking important and necessary items - like a website, a sales page, or basic technical knowledge. If this is your situation - don’t despair! Consider using the power of barter to help you meet your basic internet marketing needs.

Spend time on any IM forum, and you’ll see posts on a daily basis - technically savvy individuals looking for one thing - content! Amazingly, you have the skills needed to provide them with what they need. Consider offering to trade your skills for theirs, and see what happens!

I speak from experience (and a complete lack of technical no-how!) My entire website
was built for me for free, in exchange for some proofreading, copywriting, and ESL help. I was able to exchange some content for updates to it, and got the header on my blog installed for some writing, as well.

I’m also getting ready to launch a huge new membership site - Bum Marketing in a Box. I’ll be providing weekly content, in a membership format. The membership was designed on….guess what…a barter basis! I’d never be where I am today if it wasn’t for the wonderful barter economy that the IM world has to offer. Put it to good use for you, today!

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