20 Ways To Get In Touch With Your Creative Side
20 Proven Ways to Make Your Content More Creative
Working in an environment as creative as a marketing agency can be tough on days when your creative juices just aren’t flowing.
I’m talking about those days when you experience a full creative shut down. The inability to form a single creative thought even if your life depended on it. A complete lack of inspiration.
You’re familiar with these days–everybody has em’. But, remember there is nothing wrong with having days like these. They aren’t for a lack of trying or the product of laziness–because we all know if you could produce something creative, you would. But sometimes you just need a little spark…
Take my word for it, I know “writer’s block”
Since becoming a Pinckney Marketing team member, I’ve learned exactly how tough these days can be.
You see, the majority of the work I do is with our inbound marketing clients and if there’s one thing you should know about inbound marketing it’s that content is everything. Ok, well maybe not everything, but it’s a rather large aspect of inbound marketing and someone’s got to create it all–that’s me!
With the inbound marketing strategy in mind, I create blogs, content offers, social content, and more for our clients. I write to answer their ideal customer’s questions, solve their problems, and with any luck connect them to our client’s product or service.
Smart huh? Inbound marketing is great that way.
Some days, I find I’m able to write for hours on end, whereas other days I can stare at a blank word document for an hour with nothing more than a generic blog title.
After a few of those unproductive days, I said enough is enough. I needed to find some ways to get in touch with my creative side, to unleash my full creative potential, to get inspired…
Well, here’s what I’ve come up with.
1. Be a list person
“Listing” can be liberating for the mind–freeing up space for more creative thoughts and ideas.
2. Always have a notebook close by
There’s really no way to know when a creative idea or thought will pop into your head. Keep a notebook (or let’s be honest, in this day and age… iPhone notes) near you at all times so you won’t forget it later.
3. Write even when you don’t have to
If you only write when you have to, it won’t be long before you dread it and you won’t get any better at it either.
Try doing some personal blogging or journaling in your own time–this is a great way to test your creative limits and experiment with different writing styles or ideas.
4. Don’t be so hard on yourself
Some days the creative juices just aren’t flowing and that’s ok! Don’t be so hard on yourself. If you’re doing your best, then that’s all anyone can ask for.
Give yourself a pat on the back and keep moving down the list, one of these 20 tips is bound to get you going.
5. Step away from the screen
There’s no better way to stifle a person’s creativity than by sitting them in front of a computer screen for hours on end. Whatever “stepping away” means for you, get up and do it.
Grab a snack, chat with a coworker, or play with a pup (if your office is pet-friendly like ours). By the time you sit back down, your mind will feel refreshed and ready to create.
6. Sip coffee
Caffeine is the drug of choice for many creative individuals. A strong cup of coffee can do wonders for your work. Espresso or latte, hot or cold–it doesn’t matter. Creativity and coffee brew together.
7. Have a jam session
In other words, take a break and simply let loose to some good music–Almost like recess for your mind.
8. Be open
Be open to new. There’s no telling what a new experience, friend, way of thinking, outlook, or location could do for your creativity.
9. Ask for feedback
It’s true, everyone thinks and sees things differently. That’s why seeking out honest opinions and constructive feedback can be really beneficial for your work.
10. Surround yourself with interesting people
Interesting people are usually eager to share their ideas and ways of seeing the world with others. Hang around with a few interesting individuals and you’ll never have a problem getting inspired.
11.Make mistakes
Be okay with making a mistake here and there. Believe it or not, there’s a lot to learn from mistakes. Who’s to say that small mistake couldn’t lead to a bigger and better way, idea, strategy, etc.
12. Go for a walk
Keeping your brain cooped up in a cubicle all day? Go for a stroll around the office. A little fresh air will do you and your mind some good.
13. Take a nap
It’s near impossible to be productive, never mind creative when you’re overtired. Catch a few “zzz’s” and get back to work feeling recharge and refresh.
Who doesn’t enjoy an afternoon siesta?
14. Clean your workplace
A cluttered desk doesn’t necessarily mean you’re working harder. A clean and organized workplace can actually have incredible power over your work. Create a clear path for creativity and see what happens.
15. Take risks
Think about when you were little. Creativity wasn’t found within the lines of your coloring book. Step outside of your comfort zone and take a risk. The outcome could be greater than you ever thought possible.
16. Read
Reading can open all sorts of creative doors. When we read, we explore different ideas and thoughts that we might not have explored otherwise.
17. Listen to music
Some people (including myself) create better with music. Find a classical, acoustic, or instrumental playlist and tune out the world. Music allows me to be alone with my thoughts and focus better.
18. Collaborate
Have you heard the saying “teamwork makes the dream work”? Apply it to your creative process. Individual ideas have a way of snowballing into better ideas.
19. “Brain dump”
Whatever is floating around in your brain–dump it. Get it all out. What once seemed like an incomplete thought or idea might make more sense when it’s laid out on paper. Your brain dump material will serve as the frame for a real concept.
20. Don’t give up
Whatever you do, don’t give up. If it’s not working for you today, there’s always tomorrow.
When you’re ready to take your new-found creativity to your business’ social media pages download our Social Media Handbook. The social media world can be a great place to show off your brand’s creativity and generate strong leads.