The moment you sit down to write a piece of content, one of two things will happen. Either you’ll have plenty of ideas of what to talk about and be creative and the content will flow out of you, or you’ll hear crickets. You’ll look at your blank screen, having no idea at all at the moment of what you should be writing about. Let’s dive into some unconventional ways to spark the fire of your content creation so you never stare at a blank screen again.
1. Wander Aimlessly Through Your Mind (and Do This Often!)
Now, this is something that you don’t want to wait until you’re sitting in front of a screen to do. When you have no pressure on you at all, sit and spend some time thinking. Daydream. Think about anything that has to do with what you’re trying to come up with content for. Your goal isn’t to create a piece of content, but to see how many different ideas you can come up with. You aren’t going to use any of these ideas now, but you never know what will come in handy later. Plus, one of these ideas could end up leading you to more ideas at another time.
2. Eavesdrop on the World
I’m sure you’ve been told that you should never eavesdrop, but we’re throwing that caution to the wind here. Plus you’re not trying to hear something you shouldn’t, you’re trying to get new ideas. Hit up a coffee shop, park bench, or any public space. Let the hum of conversations inspire you. You might catch a snippet of dialogue that sparks a story or see something that will add flavor to your content. See how people interact and what they talk about, and let it help compose your next masterpiece.
3. Embrace the Chaos of Your Thoughts
Our minds jump around a lot. We can be thinking of one thing one moment, and a few moments later we have something completely different on our minds. Instead of taming it, let the chaos reign. Start with a single idea, then let your thoughts spiral out of control. It’s like chasing fireflies in the dark – you might not catch them all, but the pursuit is electrifying. Begin with a single thought, and see where it goes. You might be surprised by what ideas you come up with when you’re listening to your crazy thoughts. It might be something that sounds crazy or strange at first, but give it time…and it could be something that’s perfect for you to use.
4. Extract Inspiration from the Everyday
You don’t need to try to think of something extraordinary. Things that happen every day can help you come up with extraordinary ideas. While you’re feeding your cats, be present in what you’re doing. Pay attention to each detail. Who knows, you might come up with a piece of content out of it. This goes for everything you do. Think of the things you do every day, or even once in a while. You never know when something like that can help spark a new idea for content.
5. Look Around You
Ordinary objects can be the catalyst for extraordinary ideas. Take a look around your immediate surroundings. That coffee mug? It could be the protagonist’s favorite in your next short story. The pen on your desk? It might hold the key to a compelling metaphor. Or you can share the story of how you ended up with the pen. It might seem like something simple, but you never know what might fit in and end up being a great piece of content. Transform the mundane into the extraordinary by infusing everyday items with unexpected significance.
6. Flip the Script: Start at the End
Why follow the beaten path when you can blaze your own trail? Start your writing process in reverse. Craft the conclusion first, then work your way backward. It’s like constructing a puzzle – you already know what the final image looks like; now, piece together the journey. This can help make sure you get to the point of what you want to write about, but you can then come up with the other parts afterward.
7. Let Nature Be Your Muse
Step away from the screen and let nature breathe life into your content. We already know that spending time in nature is good for your health, but it’s good for your creativity as well. Whether it’s the rustling leaves in the park or the rhythmic waves at the beach, nature has a way of stirring the imagination. Bring a notebook and pen, and be ready to write down the many great and different ideas that you have. If you’re looking for inspiration, nature is a wonderful place to look for it.
8. Unshackle Your Mind with a Change of Environment
While nature is a great way to change your environment, in fact just breaking free from the monotony of your writing space can help you. It can be as simple as coming up with ideas (or writing) in a different room, a different building, or even a rooftop. Changing your physical environment can jolt your mind out of its routine and open new channels of creativity. It’s like giving your thoughts a breath of fresh air. The unfamiliar surroundings might be the spark you need to set your ideas ablaze.
9. Surf the Web
Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can’t come up with new ideas. That’s ok. This is a great time to do some research online. Go to your favorite search engine and start looking up topics in your industry. Read current news about it. See what new products have been released or are about to be. Read a few blog posts from your favorite people in your niche. I’d never suggest that you take other people’s ideas, but reading an article on your topic may help you come up with your own. You may read something and feel the polar opposite, and realize you need to write content about that. You may read about one thing, and it makes you think about another topic you can write about.
10. Collaborate with Your Future Self
Imagine receiving a letter from your future self, filled with insights, experiences, and wisdom. Now, channel that future version of yourself as your writing companion. Write as if you’re collaborating with the wiser, more seasoned writer you’re destined to become. It’s a unique dance between present and future, offering a fresh perspective that transcends the limitations of the here and now.
It can be difficult to come up with ideas for content creation every now and then. No matter how amazing you are at it, eventually everyone succumbs to a blank screen. To make sure this doesn’t happen anytime soon, try some of the ways above to make sure you have a plethora of ideas waiting for you to write about them.
Enjoy,
