Content Brainstorming Tools for 2013

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Content Brainstorming Tools for 2013

When it comes to content marketers, there is one question that always piques our

interest – Where do others get their ideas? And with more brands creating content than

ever before, it can be challenging to continually keep ahead of trends, churn out fresh

concepts and repurpose ideas – let alone do so across multiple platforms. To inspire the

creation process, I’ve highlighted a few resources to help guide your brainstorming and

idea generation efforts for 2013.

Whether it’s a long-form blog post, a resource article, an infographic or video, a good

brainstorming process should be your jumping off point to fuel ideas. Not only is it

helpful in uncovering new topics or trends, but also in tapping into the perspective of

others and steering creative direction.

Here are a few brainstorming techniques to try out for your next group session:

…but first a few ground rules as a good reminder:

Encourage Free-Thinking, No Boundaries

No Criticizing or Dismissing

Keep the Process Moving

Let Ideas You Don’t Understand Go

Mapping

A simple, graphic form of listing ideas by jotting down thoughts on a large writing area

and making connections by associating ideas with color-coded circles or lines,

indicating other relationships by linking.

1. Write down an idea or topic in the middle of your space.

2. Start adding words, in no particular order, that relate to the main idea.

3. Once you’ve exhausted ideas, ask who, what, when, where and why to prompt new

thoughts.

4. After the space is filled, look for any patterns among words.

5. Group thoughts that are related or repeated by color.