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How To Ethically Use A Swipe File For Your Ad Copy
Did you ever wish you could afford to hire one of those professional copy writers who charge $5000 or more to write a simple sales letter? Or worse, have you laid down your hard-earned cash for a self-proclaimed "professional" writer, and gotten back something your 3rd grader could have written? If you spend countless hours staring at a blank page trying to come up with compelling ad copy for that "killer" sales letter (you know, the one that's going to make you rich beyond your wildest dreams?)... STOP! Why drive yourself nuts and give yourself a major headache trying to train yourself to be a professional copy writer overnight? Do what the gurus do... start a "swipe file." That's an unfortunate name, swipe file. It sounds unethical. Please understand, I am NOT condoning plagiarism! But every so-called "internet marketing guru" openly admits to having a swipe file that they use when they need a little inspiration. So what is a swipe file and how do you use it legally and ethically? Basically, whenever you come across an ad or sales letter that makes you want to run and grab your wallet... stop and print out that copy first! Highlight or circle the parts of the ad that have you excited and eager to make a purchase. Then put it away in a folder or notebook. This is your swipe file. Eventually, you'll accumulate quite a stack of great professional quality ads. Then, when you're staring at that blank page trying to compose your next ad campaign or sales letter, you can leaf through your swipe file and MODEL your ad copy after some of those ads... but DO NOT copy them word for word. Substitute your own words and put your own stamp on them. Mix and match different approaches from different ads. Remember, this is meant to be inspirational, not criminal. NEVER out and out copy these ads. Just analyze how the ad is structured, what TYPES of words are used, and then create your own UNIQUE sales copy by emulating the successful advertising techniques from your swipe file. The idea is to study copy writing techniques as you go. Eventually, you'll find you won't need to refer to your swipe file as often. Your blank pages won't stay blank for long because you'll have learned how to write killer ad copy of your own! You learn best by doing it. Then it becomes second nature. Who knows? Maybe you'll get so good at writing sales copy that soon other people will be adding YOUR work to THEIR swipe files! Megan Mart, Webmaster and Publisher Subscribe to Megan's Free Marketing Newsletter
MORE RESOURCES: How To Make Money Copywriting Shopify SEO copywriting in 2025: 6 pillars for ranking and relevance Search Engine Land Copywriting Lessons from Poets, Playwrights and Novelists Little Black Book | LBBOnline What Is Copywriting? The Ultimate Guide to Copywriting for 2025 Simplilearn.com True Copywriter Story: The one where I embrace the "nerdy" stuff I happen to be great at substack.com 12 Copywriting Tools for Effective Content Creation in 2025 Simplilearn.com How AI Copywriting Is Changing Marketing: From Bots to Brilliant Ads Eye On Annapolis Josh Edge and Charles Baylis Revamp ACA’s Copywriting Course for AI Era Little Black Book | LBBOnline How to Become a Copywriter in 2025: A Beginner's Roadmap Simplilearn.com 12 Best Copywriting Books for Aspiring Marketers [2025] Simplilearn.com ‘Lit’ Lessons for Copywriting Little Black Book | LBBOnline Copywriter Seeking Work-Life Balance Through Staffing Named 2026 National Staffing Employee of the Year PR Newswire Will AI make copywriters extinct? dentsu.co.jp B2B Copywriting B2B Marketing Can AI replace copywriters? The future of AI in content writing Techpoint Africa Will copywriters now write for TV and films too? Exchange4Media 4 practical ways to use generative AI for ad copywriting Search Engine Land “There’s No Such Thing as a Boring Brief, Just a Lazy Copywriter” Little Black Book | LBBOnline It’s not your imagination. Advertising is getting worse – and it might be deliberate The Independent So you want to be a copywriter adobo Magazine Human Copywriting Services Trend Hunter I make up to $13,000 a month copywriting on Fiverr. Here's how I got started and landed clients. Business Insider How I Taught Myself Copywriting and Created a $974,000 Business Business Insider 72andSunny copywriter Hayley Noble: my Top Tips for Cannes More About Advertising Race to the (Liquid) Death: Copywriter Challenges Canned-Water VP to an Ultramarathon - Muse by Clio Meet Eva Lopez | Copywriter SHOUTOUT LA Doe-Anderson Welcomes Kelsey Westbrook as Senior Copywriter Little Black Book | LBBOnline In Her Own Words: Copywriter Caroline Duggan honors Shakespeare’s art The Business Journals Trailblazing Maya Amelia Ferdiansyah Gives Six Valuable Tips for Strategists and Copywriters Who Want to Build Their Careers in NYC The Ritz Herald Everyone should think like a copywriter — Expert on skills that sell anything online The Guardian Nigeria News Copywriter claims to lose job to AI after short leave. Founder called AI 'cheaper' The Economic Times Must-Try AI Copywriting Tools in 2025 Analytics Insight Copywriter and Publications Manager The Journal of Music How I Make up to $9,000 a Month As a Freelance Copywriter Business Insider Envisage Copywriting is a cut above with new service Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Hidden Gems: Meet Aaron Whipple of Copywriter Aaron Voyage Jacksonville Magazine Can (or will) AI Replace Copywriters? Browser Media From 1956 to the start of the movie: How hidden advertising became the myth of "Betty Bossi" | blue News bluewin E-Mail 5 uses of AI in copywriting telefonica.com Consider a Career in Copywriting Careers Portal Documentary on McCann copywriter Ilon Specht makes global streaming debut | The Work - Campaign Asia Alibaba Debuts ‘AI Copywriter’ Alizila I'm a freelance editor who's embraced working with AI content. Here's how I do it and what I charge. Business Insider Meet Leah Stine | VA turned Copywriter shoutout miami Copywriting Services Market to reach $42.22 Billion by 2030, with a Projected CAGR of 7.6%, says Coherent Market Insights Yahoo Finance How To Become A Freelance Copywriter In 2025 Startups.co.uk Beginner’s pluck: Copywriter and translator Patrick Doherty Irish Examiner 10 Best Free Online Courses to Become a Copywriter in 2025 574fdx6236 United News of Bangladesh Leanne was working in her dream job. Then came ChatGPT The Sydney Morning Herald Campaign’s Digital Faces to Watch 2025 – Raheil Inaim, Bilingual SEO Copywriter, SEO Sherpa Campaign Middle East Remembering copywriting giant Tony Brignull More About Advertising |
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