I had an ambition to be a standup comedian years ago. I even did some gigs but it wasn’t what I wanted.
Creative as Possible
I did know that I wanted to be as creative as possible. I wanted to know how to create original work.
First it was for writing funny material for myself and then writing for others. I still write creative comedy stuff in my spare time. Even entering playwriting competitions and writing short stories to publish online.
Original content
Now I put what I’ve learned into online marketing, for content and for campaigns for clients.
How do you become more creative?
How can you apply that creativity to online marketing?
First the Journal
‘Every writer is their own medicine.’ To me, that means, we’re all different. So, what works for me might not work for you. So keep a journal of what does work for you. It can be as simple as the music that you play when you work, the obvious, chatting with friends or more obscure things only you know.
Starting Points
Mind-mapping. Have you come across Tony Buzan? He came up with the idea of mind maps. It’s a great way to start with a big idea like taking on a new business and it’s social media marketing.
Plus, Minus and Interesting
Edward de Bono has come up with plenty of thinking tools. He invented the term ‘lateral thinking.’
One to use when deciding which direction to take is ‘Plus, Minus Interesting (PMI). You have three columns and you note the minuses about your ideas, then the pluses and everything else under interesting.
What action do you want your customers or potential customers to take?
- Do you want them to signup as a lead?
- Do you want them to visit a particular page?
- Do you want a sale?
- Do you want a social follow or reaction?
What if?
Now you have the action wanted and relevant factors in the form of a mind-map. You also have a list of positives, negatives and interesting.
Now you can start asking yourself ‘what if?’ See what happens. List the answers.
Set an idea target
Perhaps you got some ideas from the ‘what if?’ If you don’t then set yourself an idea target. Not two or three ideas, not even ten. Set a high target like fifty ideas in an hour (OK twenty-five in half an hour to start).
Does this work?
In my experience yes. But don’t be disheartened if the above doesn’t work for you straight away.
Your Own Way
Come up with your own way of working creatively.
Let me know how you get on.
Happy creating,
About the Picture
This is from a show by Derevo. If you ever get the chance see them, you’ll want to go again the next night, I did.
About Jelly Trumpet
We’re a podcast all about creativity. Every episode is aimed at stimulating your imagination and making you laugh with silly, surreal bits & bobs.