Create a Swipe File for Future Marketing Ideas

There’s nothing worse than staring at a blank page and trying to come up with some new creative marketing ideas.  That’s why I suggest that you create a swipe file of marketing ideas.  You have to have one of these, they save you so much time.  What is a swipe file? It’s an electronic library and written published library of ads you’ve seen that get your attention and compel you to respond or others around you to respond in the perfect way that ad is positioned to do.
I created a swipe file of creative marketing ideas years ago. My attorney even knows I keep a swipe file and sets things aside for me from time to time. He has added a lot to my swipe file because he’s kept certain things over the years that impressed him as marketing pieces. And, of course, I was able to take those, use them, massage them into something else and start making money for our company. I highly recommend that you create your own swipe file of marketing ideas.
What are some cool ways that you can start your own swipe file today? Well, my marketing knowledge, when I first got started, the curiosity if you will or the wow factor of, man that’s what I want to do is be a copywriter, a marketing consultant, it came from a guy who positioned himself as the greatest copywriter in the world. In a field of big egos in copywriting, for a long time, no one questioned this gentleman on being the best in the world, which really says something.
Unfortunately, he died before I could thank him in person for the pieces of information and encouragement he gave me, but one good thing about him passing away is that someone in his family or center of influence decided that most of the stuff he had for sale should be given away for free.
For anyone interested in copywriting, search for “The Gary Halbert Letters” online. You’ll find an archive of 20 years worth of marketing newsletters, promos, etc. that he used along with some great swipe file nuggets. Is it organized the way we’d like? No. Are you going to have to wade through a lot? Yes. Are you going to be annoyed sometimes with his attitude about writing about how he’s the best, he knew it so he doesn’t need to impress you? Yes.  Will his newsletters be great for someone like you looking to create a swipe file of marketing ideas?  You bet!
Another resource for swipe file information is the Robert Collier Letter Book. (Good luck trying to find a copy for sale for less than a couple hundred bucks since it’s out of print). If you find one for sale for less than $100 grab it up, it’s a good investment. It’s a published book of winning ads that he put together to use from different marketers.
I hope that you will begin to create a swipe file of marketing idea right away.  You always want to be keeping an eye out for great marketing pieces.  The resources I’ve shared with you in this article are a great place to start!