Browsing Category: "swipe file"
Evernote Is the Ultimate Go-Anywhere, Save-Anything Swipe File
miscellaneous, resource, swipe file January 29th, 2010
As most of my readers know, I’m a HUGE fan of the swipe file. So why it took me so long to find and use Evernote, I’ll never know.
I’ve had it on my iPhone for weeks now and only started using it last night started. Wowza! This is the electronic swipe file application I dreamed up in my head in the late 80s. Seriously.
Now there’s no excuse not to start and keep a swipe file. And Evernote makes it far easier to sort and find that little piece of information you just know you put somewhere.
I refer to my swipe file several times a month but I recently purged my office and made the mistake of purging some things I hadn’t used in years — just to save file cabinet space. Had I scanned it and put it on Evernote, well, you see where this is going. I would’ve had what I needed.
That’s it. Just wanted to make you aware of Evernote if you weren’t already. I’m off to start filling up my own Evernote swipe file …
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One Good Habit: Keep a Swipe File
swipe file, writing July 31st, 2009
If I could recommend one good habit for anyone who does any kind of writing, it would be this: keep a swipe file.
Early in my career I worked for a regional publication. My first day on the job, I could barely contain my giddiness at actually being paid to sit and read their magazine. Oh, how I loved that job!
One of the best takeaways from my publishing experience was the concept of a swipe file. A swipe file is simply your own file of good writing and creative examples: tearsheets, quotes, headlines, photos, direct mail pieces … pretty much anything that will inspire you.
My own swipe file includes Kelly Benham’s rooster story, a sweepstakes entry from Mary Kay, a well-crafted profile piece of the Barefoot Contessa and a kick-ass autoresponder from an obscure e-commerce site.
Start your own file right now — either physical or electronic (I use both) — and then add to it over time, making sure to weed out things that are dated or no longer to your liking.
Keeping and using a swipe file is a good way to overcome writer’s block and inspire a creative breakthrough. Sometimes reading a well-crafted sentence or seeing a sample of what you’re working toward is enough to get those creative juices flowing. And who doesn’t need that from time to time?
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Well-Written Follow Up Key to Good Customer Service
content, effective communication, swipe file July 6th, 2009
I recently had gastric bypass weight loss surgery. No kidding. I’m on a quest to lose over 100 pounds and remedy some potentially serious health problems.
As part of my new post-op lifestyle, I choose to eat a high-protein, low-carb, no-sugar diet. And to do that, I use whey protein powder and bariatric protein supplements.
I recently ordered some vanilla whey protein powder and was not only surprised to receive it within 2 days, but I also received a personalized email follow up exactly one week after my order.
The email confirmed that I’d made a smart choice (nice!) and offered both a helpful hint and a link to an article to help me get the best results (value add). This is one for my swipe file. Why?
Because the email was:
- Relevant
- Concise
- Conversational
- Personal
- Helpful
And, better yet, I’ve not been bombarded since with emails I didn’t opt into. A simple follow-up email based on your customer’s interaction with you will go a long way toward building relationship and loyalty. You can bet I’ll shop there again.
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The ‘Why’ That’s Well Said
content, effective communication, marketing, swipe file, writing January 23rd, 2009
I just picked up Guy Kawasaki’s newest book, Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition and the front cover had a compelling paragraph I just had to share.
The paragraph is why this mega-entrepreneur wrote this particular book — and it’s also why he has such a following.
Read on for a beautiful example of original, attention-getting copy in a unique voice that coaxes, entices and begs the reader to want to know more. It’s one for my swipe file, that’s for sure:
I wanted to provide hardcore information to hardcore people who want to kick ass, and I wanted it in something you can hold in your hand — a book. Why? Because a book boosts up faster than a blog and is not dependent on Internet connectivity, battery life, or the ineptness of HTML printing.