Four Essential Tools to Streamline Your Digital Swipe File Management

A swipe file, which is a collection of work you admire and want to emulate, is a great way to stay updated on what’s out there and what you’d like to incorporate into your own business. While swipe files were traditionally physical—like file folders and document boxes—most people today prefer creating digital file systems.

One major advantage of having a digital swipe file is that you can easily share it with your business partner, key staff members, or even an outside marketing professional. This can make collaboration much smoother.

Personally, I love using a digital swipe file because I can access it from anywhere. For instance, if I see a fantastic subway ad, I can snap a photo, jot down some notes, and upload it to my swipe file immediately. Anytime I need some inspiration, I can pull it up on my computer as long as I’m connected to the internet. This feature is incredibly important to me.

Here are four tools to help you create and maintain a swipe file:

Evernote is a web app that uses notebooks to store information. You can create a notebook for your swipe file and upload notes into it. Each note can represent something you saw or an idea you have. Evernote is available on mobile, desktop, and web. You get 60 MB of uploads per month for free, with more available through the premium plan.

Dropbox offers storage space for your files. You can create a swipe file and save it on Dropbox, then edit it whenever you find something cool to add. You can use the web app, desktop app, or mobile app to upload and access these files. You get 2 GB of free space, with the option to buy more through premium plans.

Simplenote is another web app similar to Evernote, but much simpler. While Evernote can handle videos and photos well, Simplenote is better if your swipe file is mostly text. It also offers editing history, which is useful for collaboration, as you can revert to older versions of notes.

Google Keep is part of Google’s productivity suite and functions like a lighter version of Google Docs. While not as feature-rich as some other options, it’s quick and efficient. You can do basic color coding, labeling, and sharing of notes with other users. It works on both desktop and mobile and uses your Google storage, offering 15GB for free, with more available at low prices.

There are many other tools that can be useful for your business and can significantly boost your productivity. Try them all to see which ones work best for you.