The best ones happen accidentally, or unintentionally, so
you cannot plan for those. But if you want to intentionally find the idea or
phrasing of one that is so catchy,
memorable, and moving, it will take some effort. Here are 20 ways to get
started:
·
Think
about the basic issue, concept or topic that you are looking to sound brilliant
on. Begin to write down your ideas – even singular words without judging,
without filtering, without striving for perfection. Just free-write or journal
these ideas.
·
Take
a break and read what you wrote. Reflect on the subject again. Try another
session of free-writing. Even if it is for 15-30 minutes, just let it flow.
Take note of what you are linking your subject to.
·
What
emotions and feelings are attached to the subject? What are the extremes – the
pro-con, good-bad, best-worst connected to it? What would the ideal look like
in a perfect world?
·
What
facts can you research that would lead to more ideas being generated?
·
Take
a break. Look at things outside your subject area and see if you can draw
analogies or borrow from what is done in other industries or areas of expertise.
Can a sports coach learn from an army general? Can a CEO learn from an athlete?
Can an accountant learn from a lawyer? Of course!
·
Look
at cool combinations of things, maybe things you never saw as being related,
and now put them together in some fun or cute way. Maybe take an old idea and
update it. Or think of something normally associated with one group but apply
it to another.
·
Think
like a comedian – turn the world upside down, break down assumptions, examine
how we do even the simplest things, poke fun at ourselves, show the humor in
everything, and note our many inconsistencies.
·
Brainstorm
with others. Collaborate.
·
Get
feedback on your ideas from those in the know as well as people who know
nothing about you or your subject matter.
·
Scan
ads and commercials for ideas, techniques, and headlines.
·
Determine
what people know of you or your subject and then play on those assumptions.
Find a way to shock, surprise, challenge, or lead.
·
Don’t
let any naysayers interfere with the process, especially those who say they
tried something and failed at it. See why they failed and examine what you will
do differently or note what has changed in this new environment. When trying to
be creative you want to surround yourself with other creative, optimistic, curious,
and positive individuals. You don’t need to hear NO early or often in the
process of formulating ideas.
·
Look
at history. Sometimes looking at things from 50, 100, or 2,000 years ago will
spur an idea.
Many ads make historical references.
Many ads make historical references.
·
Read
or skim content-rich books – dictionary, thesaurus, idioms, encyclopedia, world
records almanac. You may stumble on to something that stirs an idea or concept.
·
Take
a nap and sleep on it. An unfiltered visit with your subconscious could lead to
your best idea upon waking up.
·
Walk
through a museum, watch a movie, see a play, or read a novel. Escape into the
creations of others and see if the exposure leads you to a fresh idea.
·
Step
outside of your routine or comfort zone. Visit a house of worship different
from your faith. Walk to a neighborhood you don’t normally go to. Walk into
stores that sell things you would not otherwise patronize. Stay up extra late
or get up extra early. Try an ethnic restaurant that is new. Sleep on the
floor. Don’t use your computer for a week. Wear a color or piece of clothing
you rarely put on.
·
Play.
Draw. Have a snowball fight. Build sandcastles. Get a game and make up your own
rules. Act like a kid.
·
Unblock
yourself by cleansing your body. Fast for 24 hours or deprive yourself of a
particular food or substance for a period of time. Our crutches and diversions
don’t always serve us well!
·
Volunteer
for a few hours. Aside from feeling good by helping others, you will likely
expose yourself to someone with a need or deficiency. By figuring out how to
help them and see the world through their eyes, you will sharpen your creative
brain skills.
DON”T
MISS THESE!!!
How authors get
their book marketing mojo – and avoid failure
Authors cannot succeed
without the right attitude
So what is needed to be a champion book marketer?
Should You Promote Your
Book By Yourself?
The Book Marketing Strategies Of Best-Sellers
How authors can sell more books
No. 1 Book Publicity Resource: 2019 Toolkit For Authors
-- FREE
Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and
interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of
his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter
@theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more
important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by
BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2019. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in
Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and
IBPA’s Independent. This was named one of the best book marketing
blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the
top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best
resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.
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