Creating a swipe file is a great way to gather information and inspiration on a myriad of topics so it’s available when you need it. While this has a traditional context, we’ll be expanding it to include many creative endeavors you may wish to pursue.
Steps
1. Traditional.
Traditionally, a swipe file contained advertising and sales letters that were proven to work. When new advertising was needed, you had a history to look through to create a new communication with your customers.
We’re using this idea to expand upon and create something we can use for many projects. If you have a pile of things you told yourself you’d use “one day,” this is your chance to get them out and actually use them for something fun!
2. Words.
Like the traditional meaning, you can collect items with written words for inspiration and ideas. You can find copy documents in a variety of places online and offline. Be sure you are not violating copyright. Here’s a short list to start your search for written items that might prove inspiring.
- Headlines
- Lists
- Memes
- Quotes
- Power words
- Public domain works
- Sayings
3. Images.
Why limit yourself to copy? Images often provide as much, if not more, inspiration. These might be photos you’ve taken, sketches you’ve made, your kid’s crayon artwork and more. Think about all the items you might be able to include in a swipe file. Here’s another short list.
- Cartoons / comics
- Clip art
- Original artwork
- Photos
- Public domain images
- Rubber stamps
- Slides
- Tickets
4. Design.
While words and images are great, a design or combination of the two, can add even more to your file. With designs, I find putting a note with it helps you remember why you kept it. It might be the use of color, font treatment, balance or any number of things that you want to duplicate in your own designs. You can find these on web pages, magazines, books, scrapbooks, and more.
Start Your Swipe File
5. Brainstorm.
Knowing what you’re going to use your swipe file for will help with the following steps. In our first step, we limited our ideas for copyrighting and design of new advertising copy. Now we’re using this idea for our creativity. Brainstorm ways to use your swipe file to create something uniquely yours. Some ideas may be general like making zines or creating a podcast. Some may be specific like a series of zines you want to do about cats or a video featuring your child’s artwork and stories to share with family and friends.
6. Collect.
Now, start collecting items. They might fit into the words / image / design areas or maybe something more. Puzzles might be an item to collect that doesn’t quite fit into the words or images categories. Be sure your collection has a place. It might be in a file folder, envelopes, shoe box, photo album, or other location that you find accessible. You can even include notes to yourself in your collection.
Not everything you have will fit within your brainstormed list. Keep it handy as you start collecting items. You may find additional ideas in the items themselves. Add them to your list.
NOTE: Your swipe file does not have to be physical. You can create digital folders or even use an app like Evernote to collect your items.
7. Pinterest.
Pinterest is similar to a swipe file. Your boards can count as swipe files for specific topics. Look at some boards on Pinterest and see how you might use this for a swipe file. As you look through this site, ask yourself what other ways might you be able to create a swipe file for your usage.
8. Sort.
You don’t want one huge tub full of clippings, photos and notes. You’ll never find what you’re looking for. Instead, you want to sort your collection into usable sets of items. You may even want to sort as you’re collecting so you’re not overwhelmed. Your system for organizing your items may be by series, project, theme, genre, color, or anything you find interesting.
Your sort will be based on your brainstorm of things you want to create. So, if you want to make a cat zine, you’d put your cat photos, drawings, quotes and those paw print images into a folder for that project.
When I’m collecting items for the Enrichment Project, I do so digitally. I have folders for each of the nineteen categories of badges PLUS the 19 categories of supplements. From there, I have folders within each of these for specific items that I want to create. Some may only have one item while some have hundreds. I use Evernote to collect the notes that go with the folders.
9. Use.
How much easier do you think it is to grab a stack of items and then start to create versus trying to figure out how (or what) to do for your next project? This is why you’re making swipe files. You can “swipe” what you need to create something new. Take a swipe file you made and do it!
10. Recycle.
What do you do with the pieces after you’ve used them? I recycle them like everything else. If you have a project you can use a piece in again, you can move it to that swipe file. If you don’t have a place but want to keep the item, making a “miscellaneous” one gives you a place to put your items. Don’t forget to clean it out frequently or it will become overwhelming and you may be tempted to throw it out.
11. Ideas.
If you’re stuck for ideas on how to use your swipe files for projects, here’s a list of items you can use a swipe file for. Like the previous lists, it’s just a starting point. Take it and add your own ideas to it.
- Art
- Art journal
- Articles
- Artist trading cards
- Blog posts
- Cardmaking
- Challenges
- Color sheets
- Comics / cartoons
- Courses / workshops
- Ebooks
- Game design
- Gifts
- Holiday decor
- Journaling
- Memes
- Mixed media art / collage
- Newsletters
- PLR content
- Podcast episodes
- Printables
- Product design
- Prompts
- Quilting
- Recipes
- Scrapbooks
- Slideshows
- Street art
- SWAPs
- Videos
- Vision boards
- Zines / minibooks
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- EP_Badge List_Swipe File_larajla — list of badge items
- EP_Badge Set_Swipe File_larajla — list of badge set and related badges
- EP_Supp_List_Swipe File_larajla — list of supplements for the badge
- SUPP_BPG_Swipe File_2in_12up_larajla — generic badge printable
- SUPP_Swipe File_Journal_larajla — badge journal
- SUPP_Swipe File_Planner_larajla — badge planner
Supplement Fun
- N/A
Sites to Explore
- blogclarity.com/how-to-create-a-swipe-file
- marketingland.com/content-creation-swipe-files-inspiration-tools-organization-162253
- www.enchantingmarketing.com/swipe-file
- hackernoon.com/5-things-i-learnt-from-steal-like-an-artist-1b2edcd03d3
- evernote.com
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DpjMHqvWZU
- pinterest.com
- www.pinterest.com/barbchaney/clever-copywriting-swipe-file-and-a-few-tips/?lp=true
- www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/swipe-file-tools.html
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here