Getting ideas for articles can be tricky – keeping them when you come across them, even more so! Having tried various alternatives over the years,I now use Google Documents as a Swipe File
I first came across the idea in a book by David Ogilvy; in it he wrote that he encouraged his staff to create swipe files; whenever they came across good or inspirational ideas, they copied them into swipe files. In those days, that meant cutting ideas out of magazines and newspapers, or photocpying ideas from books.
I also keep a copy on a data pen; that way, I canwork on my laptop when I’m away from an internet connection, keep it updated and it’s always available for reading and getting inspiration. Why do I do it?
1. It gives me a centralised store of ideas.
2. I can organise those ideas into different folders.
3. It’s always with me – no need to try to remember which pc I bookmarked it on.
4. It makes research so easy. Just create a folder in your swipe file, download material on the subject you are researching and read at your leisure.
Over the years, I’ve tried creating a scrapbook, using a Firefox plugin, an external HD but have returned to this, the simplest and most flexible.
I know that there are apps out there that are better suited than Google Docs, but have not used them – anyone got any cool suggestions?
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