Having a process also allows you to think of ideas that may not be easily apparent. What's one thing you do to help come up with new ideas? How can you incorporate this into a repeatable framework (for yourself as well as those you collaborate with)?
Learning from the people who are best or experienced in my field can be a very good option to learn not only new ideas but a way to write about them too. There's a reason why they are the best. I'll learn from them, try to imitate them but not copy. That could be a good step.
Whether it's illustrating a blog or cleaning up our CTAs, my process would always be to narrow things down and categorize everything; then, I move forward to add questions or look for possible improvements to make to then, make the changes and start the same cycle again. The idea is to stay in continuous improvement!
I like to view content on topics that I want to learn more from through content creators from all walks of life. By keeping an open mind on the content produced by a variety of people, I am learning more about what type of buyer personas I should keep in mind. To incorporate this into a repeatable framework, I would write down the ideas of each content creator and determine what each content creator has in common. It can be a common issue that they are dealing with or want to change. I can create content that targets the conflict that they are facing.
Even though I have ideas naturally, whether they are for work or for fun, I still have to put in a lot of effort to come up with ground-breaking ideas. In order for me to come up with content generation ideas, I primarily conduct research on both competing brands and brands outside of my niche. I make notes of the interesting strategies they're using and consider more effective ways to carry out my own. Conversations with friends and coworkers also inspire ideas in me and light a spark in my head.
Unconscious processing is a major factor for me when generating ideas and the "eureka" moment too helps. I like to watch a movie or read a book when I'm lacking in what to write and it has proved effective most of the time.
Until this video, I was doing a lot of the things it teaches but without realizing it. I think the importance of unconscious processing is undervalued and the importance of idea capture is too. Always carry a notebook!
I use idea sessions or brainstorming as one way to generate new ideas. Often, I get new ideas from reading books or blogs, observing things or listening to various presentations.
This can be put into a template to help make the process repeatable. For example, documenting the new ideas, possible sources and how they can be utilized.
Mar 13, 20238:26 AM - edited Mar 13, 20238:28 AM
Participant
First, I'm gathering content (raw material). Mostly videos, animations or blogs. I save these within
a folder in my browser. After gathering them and watching/reading those, I do this over and over again and write down or highlight what that 'hook' is that makes it so good imo in a single document.
After this, I close my laptop and use a old school flip over to create a 'word web' (in landscape) in which I put the name of the company I'm gonna create content for in the middle. It's just the flip over and me - no other (online) distractions.
I write down a lot of things around it in circles like unique KPI's from the company, current social posts, personas and even news related articles. New topics get added on the go.
When that's finished, I leave it be until the next morning. I ask my colleagues to take a look at it and write more words down. The next day, I add the good working elements of the raw material I gathered and connect the dots for relevancy. Then I ask my colleagues to take a look at it together. There you have it: New content ideas get born.
I believe that ideas come from when we talk about ideas. So I used to discuss with my colleagus about the great ideas which improve our marketing strategy in our field.
I read a lot and try to include as many genres as possible in my reading. I also like speaking with people in different industries and throwing ideas about our respective issues around- someone usually has a good idea for a friend in a completely different industry. Our best ideas at work are when meeting with people from different departments and chatting about goals/issues in general; there are usually very valuable insights and perspectives across all teams.
