As agency marketers, we’re always looking for the next big thing. We’re constantly working to get an edge over every other brand and establish our clients as leaders in their respective industries.
But it takes more than just looking for the next trend to take your marketing program to the next level. It takes time, research and effort to find the right solution in today’s ever changing, constant-contact, marketing landscape.
So how can marketers find inspiration amidst all the noise? We can turn to everyday occurrences—from chatting with colleagues to following industry thought leaders.
Continue reading for ordinary ways to find marketing inspiration.
1. Chat with Colleagues
Colleagues are full of great ideas. And the best part about working in environment filled with talented teammates? They share the same space as you!
Chatting with colleagues can lead to interesting conversations and revelations. Whether you’re talking about work or discussing an upcoming vacation, a light bulb of inspiration can light up at any moment.
2. Follow Industry-Leading Brands
Some brands just do marketing better than others. Think: Coca-Cola, TheSkimm and Uber.
Keeping tabs on best-in-class brands offers great insight into what works and what doesn’t. Learning from their successes and failures can help guide your future marketing campaigns.
Resource: 40+ Blogs Inbound Marketers Should Be Following
3. Attend a Conference
Sometimes, we all need a change of scenery. Getting away from our screens and focusing on something other than work can boost energy, creativity and productivity.
Attending a conference is a great way to reenergize and gain a new perspective on your daily activities.
Plus, getting out of the office opens our minds up to and endless about of inspiration. From networking with fellow marketers to sitting in on an inspiring session, the opportunity to be inspired at a conference is around every corner.
4. Read a Book
There’s nothing like a good book. Reading opens the mind up to new ways of thinking and improves brain functionality.
And it doesn’t have to be a professional book to boost brainpower. Reading all types of genres—science fiction, mystery, drama, or even satires—can lead to new ideas.
In the words of Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
5. Track Performance
Do you know the results of your work? Having a grasp of the output of your efforts can help you structure and plan each day for optimal productivity.
Tracking performance also helps guide planning and evolve campaigns. You can adjust workflow based on productivity blocks and keep team members inspired.
Bonus: Tips to Boost Creativity
James Clear says, “Being creative isn’t about being the first (or only) person to think of an idea. More often, creativity is about connecting ideas.”
Creativity may come more naturally to some than others, but that doesn’t mean we can’t seek out ways to boost creativity. Below are a few tactics to help inspire creative thinking.
- Invest in wellness: A good night’s sleep, healthy food and routine exercise are fundamental to creativity. Without the basics, your body doesn’t stand a change at generating ideas.
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is known to boost creativity and generate new ideas. Different meditation practices have different effects, all with positive and creative outcomes.
- Develop a hobby: Making time for a hobby can give creativity a big boost. Hobbies create work-life balance and offer an escape from the day-to-day.
- Visit a new place: New sounds, sights and tastes spark different senses in the brain, generating new thoughts and ideas. Traveling is a new and exciting experience—just what creativity needs to get going.
Where do you find marketing inspiration? Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments below.
