If you'd like to have a huge swipe file full of some of the hottest ads running today... 100% free... then this article will show you how.

Listen:

As you know, you usually have to buy something to get on the lists with great ads.

Like a book or a newsletter or some other product.

But I recently learned of a way to get some of the hottest ads running completely free.

In fact, the folks who run this kind of direct mail will send you all the swipe file material you can stand (on THEIR dime)... and as often as you want.

What kind of direct mail is it?

Catalogs!

This is no joke.

Catalog copy is (when done right) the best copy there is.

It HAS to be.

Just like those old direct response comic book ads--catalog writers only have a few lines to sell their product.

Which means their copy must be short, pithy and packed with words that do nothing but "sell."

Think about it:

In a catalog--where a product is surrounded by competition, and "real estate" is at a bare minimum--there's no room for wasted lines, words or even punctuation.

And that's why (again, when done right) they are masterpieces of copy that hit all the major "hot buttons"--and get you to whip out your credit card within a few sentences.

That's also why, if you want to learn how to sell faster, better and in less space, you should have a "catalog" swipe file.

Now, you notice I keep saying "good" catalog copy.

That's because some of it's good... and some is not-so-good.

So to get you started, here are some titles Jay White (who is a master at catalog copywriting) recommends:

JcPenney

Sears

Sharper Image

SkyMall

J Peterman

Join those mailing lists and you'll get a never-ending flow of top notch copy sent to your mailbox.

And when you find copy blocks that grab you (especially if they make you buy something) tear those suckers out!

Then adapt them to your product or service when you need to do a lot of selling in minimal space (i.e. classified ads, postcards, google ads, ebay titles, etc).

Bottom line:

Start building a decent catalog swipe file and your copywriting skills can double in no time flat.

Try it yourself and see.

It's easily one of the best copywriting lessons you can get.

About the Author

Ben Settle is a direct response copywriter and author of "The Copywriting Grab Bag". Although Ben rarely accepts clients, he freely shares his latest copywriting secrets and tactics on his website at http://bensettle.com