Do you have a swipe file? The Golden Pencil tells you why you need one.

I hate to be the one to break the news to you.  But nothing is completely original anymore, so why are you trying to be – especially with your writing, whether it’s web copy, and advertisement or a direct mail piece.

Over at The Golden Pencil, I was reading about how one writer was having issues about not having ideas that originated with her.  And Anne gave some great advice: “It’s the expression that’s unique, or needs to be, not the idea itself.”

I also recommend starting a swipe file. It’s the practice of collecting ads and copy as a resource of ideas. These could be marketing ideas, brochure samples, articles from magazines, teleclass ideas, sales letter examples, website copy, etc. that attracted you enough for you to save for future reference and inspiration. And use these files – but not steal them word-for-word – to inspire your own writing.

Try to start one this year – and look back to it when you’re getting stuck.