Ahh, writer block. Something many content creators know all too well. As words flow from our brains through our fingers on the keyboard to the screen, all is well in the world. But when you no longer find inspiration, you may feel as though you've lost all of your creativity.
It's annoying, and some people can start to feel imposter syndrome - like you never know what you're doing - and you'll never write a piece of compelling content again.
In the end, you know this isn't true. But now are you looking for the next great idea? Time to move on to brainstorming techniques this to get you back to what you do best – writing.
1. What if
Simply ask (and answer) some creative what-if questions, such as:
- What if your idea has a theme song?
- What if your idea makes a lot of noise?
- What if your idea was a human?
Don't limit yourself to a single answer.
Writers block? Ask “What if your idea had a theme song?” or “What if your idea were a person?” say @DarrenDeMatas via @CMIContent. Click to Tweet Whtifs is a free tool to help you generate ideas. You enter your creative challenge, set a time frame to think, then choose from a list of perspectives (time travel, childish, etc.) The Idea Generator will give you a related question to respond within the allotted time.
Need more thoughts? See Don “The Idea Guy” Snyder's book 100 – What about creativity: Questions to spark your creativity, clear your mind, and break through your mental blocks .
2. Quick ideas
The goal is to grow as much as possible idea as fast as possible. Set a timer for five minutes. Write as many ideas as you can before the timer goes off.
For example, say your established brand needs to market a new line of spa facials. In a quick idea, you can come up with a list of ideas like the following:
3. Link brainstorming
The association technique helps break down your typical thought patterns. There are several ways to give new ideas use this approach:
- Magnetic storm: Start with a few words based on your challenge or project. Then write down the words that come to mind. When you're done, you can group the words by how they relate to each other.
- Links from: This is like a word storm except don't bother grouping words. Don't think too much. At best, you're looking for "hidden" words related to a topic you wouldn't normally think of.
- Visual references: Instead of looking at starting words for inspiration, look at images related to your topic. What ideas come to mind?
4. Reverse brainstorming
In this exercise, you don't focus on creative solutions to a problem, you think about how to cause a problem.
Ask, “How can we cause this?” A list of ideas will help you think of ways to tackle them more easily.
Don't focus on creative solutions to a problem. Think about how to cause a creative problem, said @DarrenDeMatas via @CMIContent. Click to Tweet
5. Think the opposite
With method reverse thinking , you think about what someone else in your situation would do. Then imagine doing the opposite. Does that work? Why or why not? Is there a better option than what the conventional approach offers?
6. Star Start
Begin Exercise begins with a six-pointed star. In the middle of the star, write the subject. Then, at each point of the star, write one of the following words:
- Who
- What when?
- Where
- Why
- How
Use these words to create questions, such as:
- Who are our happiest customers?
- What is it about our product/service that makes them happy?
- Where do our happiest customers come from?
- How can we improve to keep those customers happy?
- What can we do to make more satisfied customers?
Use the six-pointed star to # brainstorm. Make your subject centered. At each point, ask and answer who, what, where, how and what, @DarrenDeMatas said via @CMIContent. Click to Tweet
7. Change settings
Do you feel like you come up with your best ideas in the shower, trying to get a good night's sleep, or away from your desk? It could be due to a setting change.
When you're having a hard time generating ideas, get out of your usual setting. Get out and go for a walk. Work from your local library or coffee shop instead of your office or dining room. Have a pen and paper ready for all the new ideas you come up with.
Keep the writer's principle
If you are handling writer block Regularly, set aside some time each day or week to brainstorm. Run through some of these exercises in a structured way. You will end up with a fresh perspective that will allow you to breathe new life into your writing.
Please note: All tools included are determined by the author. Please suggest tools in the comments.
Cover photo of Joseph Kalinowski / Content Marketing Academy
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