It's true as marketers we can hit dry spells and for some reason our creative brain cells seem to be sleeping. It doesn't matter what we do we just can't generate a new idea. It's frustrating, so what is one to do?
I've found that when I run into this problem and I need to push through it I start a serious of actions that eventually give me the spark I need to being in the development of new ideas. I have also found that this is usually the time that I generate my best work by pushing through the mental block. I know in speaking with other colleagues I'm not the only one who goes through this, so I wanted to pull together the actions that I implement that help me move into my creative zone, perhaps you'll bookmark this resource and visit it the next time you come across your own creative block.
Feedly Fuels the Mental Stimulation.Take time to browse your RSS feed. I used to use Google Reader, but since they closed down I've moved over to Feedly. I love the way
Feedly organizes my RSS Feeds. When I find that I'm procrastinating at my desk and just can't generate a new idea for that marketing campaign or don't feel inspired to write a marketing article I start flipping through Feedly. I just click the index tab and I'm greeted with a wealth of inspiration. What topics stand out to me? What is being talked about in the industry? Are there any marketing campaigns that caused a stir this last week? Obviously you won't use this material to be a copycat, but by reading through, and skimming the latest news in your industry you will find that pretty soon your mental block has left and you may not have just one idea, but perhaps five. Give it a shot!
If you don't have a subscription to RSS feeds within your industry there is no better time to start than today, start curating content that you can use for inspiration later. You'll be glad you did.
Pinterest Can Peak the Creative Process.Pinterest is a great way to gather your own ideas and peruse the collections of others. Think of Pinterest as your digital inspiration binder, save those tutorials and quick lists that inspire you when it comes to marketing. Just make sure to set your stopwatch or you could lose track of time and find yourself dwindling away your day without getting any work done. Pinterest really is that addicting when it comes to finding inspiration.
Get Physical. Take a Walk or Hit the Gym.I know you've heard this before, but I'm going to reiterate it. Sometimes you just have to step outside your office, get out from behind our desk and put in some physical activity. I find that after a great walk or hard workout my mind starts ticking again. Our mental blocks aren't always caused by lack of thought, but rather feeling overwhelmed with too much going on inside our heads. Take time for you, while doing your body good. Grab your favorite tunes head outside to get some fresh air or hit the gym hard. I've found that while working out I will break the mental barrier and sometimes the ideas will just come to me during my workout. Studies show that an activity that will cause you to be present and grounded in the now is great for jump starting your creativity and diminishing your mental blocks.
Just Write.I learned as a teenager if I would just open up a journal to blank page and begin writing down every thought, not paying attention to grammar or punctuation I could write myself out of a mental block. When I'm stuck, especially when it comes to creative thinking or writing I just start with free flow writing in a journal for 15 minutes. Sometimes my writing starts off like this:
I don't even know what I'm, supposed to write. My brain is mentally blocked. I'm feeling overwhelmed and I need to come up with an idea for this marketing campaign. It's nice outside, I wish I were out there enjoying the sunshine. Instead I'm stuck in this office procrastinating because my brain is just stuck...
Ok, you get the idea. Sometimes all you have to do is write and new ideas will begin to flow. Don't worry you don't have to show your journal to anyone.
Be Inspired By Others.There is nothing wrong with getting inspiration from others. Research the industry you are focusing on and look for tools they use, for example, if you know a successful company utilizes
marketing automation software, you should look into that too. Look for videos on YouTube or Vimeo. Spend time looking up case studies. Read about what worked and what didn't. Information in. Ideas out. That really is how it works. How can you make a campaign better? How would you have done their campaign differently? Spend time browsing top marketing campaigns over the last three years. I guarantee you'll find inspiration quickly and will step outside of that mental funk.
If you try all of the above and still find that you can't move into your creative zone, it may be time to brainstorm with peers and colleagues. We can often talk or write ourselves out of a mental block with the help of others and most the time those around us are more than willing to help. Creativity is a process even when it comes to marketing, so be good to yourself and don't beat yourself up. Even the most successful people in marketing struggle with mental blocks. The good news is they always pass and often when that happens you'll be on your way to developing your best work yet.