Building a Swipe File
Hi, Everyone...
I am in the middle of creating the final pieces of a viral campaign. Part of the work is preparing a post for Facebook that will catch people's eyes and make them take action.
How am I doing this?
Fortunately for me, I have a swipe file! This is a collection of content that I have added to a folder so I can access it for just such times as this.
How Did I Build This Swipe File?
I started a long time ago. Every time I saw something that caught my eye, I took a few seconds from my day to copy it, take a screenshot, or maybe copy and pasted it into a Word file.
It may seem like a distraction or a waste of time while you're doing this, but when it comes to times like this (limited amount of time, deadline for publication looming). where this can be a lifesaver...
Over time, I have come to have a relatively robust and complete (but growing) set of headlines (which I have shared some here in another post), sales pages, video sales pages, emails for viral campaigns, selling products and services, and memberships, and...ads!
What Tools Do I Use?
I use mainly free tools like screenshots (which is easy to use if you are using a Windows based laptop, or on my smartphone, I have a neat little tool where you just swipe your finger from right to left on the screen and it takes a screenshot.
Another tool I use is called Evernote, That too has a free version, although I pay a huge amount of $3 a month I think for upgraded features where I can do more and also capture more.
The next tool I use is a little screenshot software called Jing. It always rests on the top of my screen on my laptop, although I could park it on my second monitor if it bothered me. It is a little yellow ball. I click on it and I can record a video playing or capture whatever I want on the screen.
That little tool has a free version, but with that one too I pay $15 a year for the upgraded version that I can do more with. It is well worth the $1.33 a month! I just was looking through the captures going back over the past year alone, and I have hundreds!
The last tool I will mention is called Screencast. This handy little software can record your screen and you can use it to make your own explainer videos or you can capture video being played.
I use YouTube as well. There are times when I will search and view videos that help me in one way or another for something I am trying to do for the online business. Did you know that you have a running history of everything you view if you have a channel and are signed in as you view videos?
Today I remembered that I had not that long ago viewed a very useful video on creating viral ads for facebook. Boom! I went to look for that video and within 30 seconds was able to find that even though it was 3 months ago when I viewed it the first time!
Why Am I Mentioning This?
To leverage your online marketing business time, it is important to seek out tools that will allow you to do more in the same time, make your work look and feel more professional to the viewers/readers, and have your creations garner the desired effect.
That could be getting your website visitors to stay longer on your pages, convincing them to take action on one of your promotions, or having them subscribe to your blog so you can build a relationship with them.
Often we get caught up in the big things that are indeed important, such as the content creation, SEO, niche-research, keyword research, etc. These ARE all important, do not get me wrong.
It is the little things though like these tools and using them to do more and get better, that you may not know of. These can be the difference lots of times, such as when you are doing a review of a newly launched product...
Bottom Line
It is always good to look for ways to do more with less work or ways to do things faster. Everyone wins whether it is you because you have more time to get more work done, or your readers because what they read from you is presented in a more professional manner, or your family because they get more time with you!
What has been your experiences and what tools are your favorites to help you do more in the same time? I am SURE there are a ton of good ones out there you can share here with us. I am always looking for new ways to be more efficient.
Remember, I believe in ALL of you!
Have a great Sunday!
Dave : )
Recent Comments
25
I copy and save a LOT of stuff while I am surfing around. Usually, this is in text but many times it is a word type document.
I find that I will also, usually rewrite it, first, before I actually use it.
Yeah Mickey, me too...I may use the general idea and then add to it or rewrite it in such a manner that it is original content...It does help frame things up faster I've found...Cheers! Dave : )
Yes, they sure do...Anything to keep your readers on the page and adding value is fair game (also as long as you are not violating any copyright laws)...Cheers! Dave : )
like you, I put what I find in a work document labeled, so I can find it later. I'll have to start mining Youtube and doing screenshots.
Thanks Dave
Most welcome! The screenshot thing works well for me too. I place them into a WORD document and just keep on adding..It doesn't look to0 cool but it works, i.e. images running over the edges, plus tiny print and images....I can just blow them up as I need them, and I place them by category for ease of tracking what I have...Cheers! Dave : )
Thanks, Dave. I have been doing something like that with pictures and I have several files with the categories I have on my site. I did not think it had a name....just me being me but I also never thought about all the other stuff you put in yours, which is terrific. I will be looking to add more of that stuff too. All the best. shary
Thanks for the recommendations, I use ink, paper, my hand, napkins, e-mail myself, etc... Jay
Thanks Dave.
As somebody that is rather new to this whole website building process I am always fighting the clock to try and get something done on the website and still do all of life's other obligations after i punch out of the clock at 5pm. On the days that i just can't think of what i will put into the website next, I will start making a Swipe File to get a head on future posts and pages. I like your forward thinking!
Adam.
Not a problem Adam...This bit of extra work has saved me hours and hours in the long run, and as the swipe file grows, it gets better and better for you...Cheers! Dave : )
See more comments
Hi Dave
I have a similar setup with WA training links. I have about 1600 links so I can usually point members to a choice of training videos, series or articles.
Obviously I use them myseldf as well
Terry
That sounds like a really useful file system you have set up. It makes perfect sense too because there is a "wealth" of information to be found on this site!
I had not thought of this type of content for my swipe file, but it sure would help get to what you need quickly, and that is what having one is all about!
Thanks for sharing this tip, I am sure other's beyond me will take note and take action. It helps us all!
Cheers!
Dave : )
All are welcome. I'll help if I can
Terry