Content is a building block of marketing. No wonder why digital marketing experts keep saying—Content is the king. Therefore, it is important to ensure a steady flow of quality content. But writers block can be a real obstacle in content marketing. What to write? is a constant concern for any blogger and content creator. Hence, content brainstorming methods are crucial.
Be it inbound or outbound marketing—no matter whatever form of digital marketing method you use, content is essential. Blogs, email marketing, video marketing, SEO, social media marketing, and whatever you can think of, all requires some or the other form of content to get a business’s message through. You can’t communicate with your audience in the absence of content.
However, it doesn’t mean that content creation is enough. For fruitful results, it is important to do so effectively. There are innumerable alternatives available on the internet—why should people choose to engage with your content? You need to give them a reason. This can only be done by creating quality content that adds value for your target audience. Moreover, it is important to maintain consistency in doing so. And this requires regular brainstorming for content.
But again, how to do that becomes another issue. Different sources on internet have different things to say. Hence, we have narrowed down our list to 5 best advices.
Top 5 effective ways to brainstorm for content marketing
#1. Brainstorm with a team
When brainstorming for ideas, it is always better to do it with a team. So, for the set-up, assemble your content and marketing team. The more the people, the better. However, you’d like to make sure that the people on your content brainstorming team have some actual value to provide. Although, it can’t hurt to learn perspective of an outsider.
Brainstorming with a team always helps come up with best content ideas. You may look at a subject and feel there is nothing you can created based on it. However, a person with a different perspective can make you see what you couldn’t have on your own. This can further open your mind and help you explore new dimensions of a hopeless subject.
#2. Customer’s concern should be central
You will see your business and product as a marketer/owner. But naturally, your customer would have a different way of viewing it. Apparently, the content you create for digital marketing is not for you, it’s for your customer. Therefore, your primary consideration should be—What would my customer like?
For this, you would need to wear customer goggles and look at your business with that. For getting a better understanding of your customer’s needs and wants, you can join relevant discussion forums and social media groups. These are some of the platforms where customers share their problems and opinion. This can be a great help in ascertaining customer’s view of your business. Hence, you will be better able to understand what type of content your audience expects from you.
#3. Be open to ideas
To get the best content ideas, you will need to hold the critic in you.
Everyone on your team might not give the best of the ideas. Or even when you are brainstorming alone– self-criticism is good but not here. So, you have to be open to ideas. There are a few things you should take care of:
- Be a patient listener.
- Don’t be presumptuous about anyone/anything.
- Encourage everyone to give ideas.
- Acknowledge every idea.
These are some of the ways you’ll be able to encourage everyone on your team to pour in more ideas and suggestions. This is important for a successful content brainstorming session.
#4. Record all ideas
You may listen to/or come up with an idea and don’t find it good enough. So, you don’t record it. Well, this is one practice you need to avoid.
When you are brainstorming for content, this is one important thing you need to keep in mind. No matter you find it good enough or not, make sure to record each and every idea and suggestion.
A sheet full of idea has more scope for improvement than an empty sheet. So, if anything, you will have a pool of ideas from which you can mix & match.
#5. Sort to visuals
Learning visually is always more effective than non-visual methods. Sorting to visuals when brainstorming for content can help you come up with new content ideas.
How to do that?
Although, you can use a smart-board, a simple white-board will do just fine. When I say visuals, it doesn’t necessarily mean high-definition images and videos. You could simply write a single word or a combination of some relevant words. Then, you could use arrows and lines to connect similar words and phrases. You could visually deconstruct a motion into several parts and generate new motions.
If think you aren’t completely catching up with what I’m saying, don’t worry. This method is so effective that even if you begin vaguely, you will automatically catch up. You could even start with a single word that is relevant to your business and can brainstorm many content ideas.
Make sure to use different colours of markers for a better effect.
Final word
Content marketing is inseparable from marketing. No matter what you do—social media marketing, video marketing, blogging, SEO, and so on– it all eventually depends on your content. Therefore, one needs continual content brainstorming to keep their digital marketing charged. Although you can do this alone, the best way to do it is with a team. And since, you are creating content for your customers, it is important to think like them—like their problems, preferences, and so. Another important thing is, you should be open to ideas and record them all. Moreover, sorting to visuals can be really helpful. So, take out all your colourful markers!
Did you find the answers to your query? Make sure to let us know in the comment.
