As the weather turns warmer, staying focused on keeping those creative marketing gears churning can become increasingly difficult. But with a little time, energy and imagination, you can still spring into summer with an ingenious marketing plan that conveys your company’s vision to your target markets, customers and employees. This month, we look at some ways to keep your ideas fresh using Spotlight’s favorite five ways to inspire your marketing creativity.
1. Crank-up Your PR and Marketing Machine.
Hiring PR and marketing professionals can help you put a new spin on your products and services, energize your company’s existing brand (or create an entirely new identity), and foster trust between you and your public. Be sure to start by outlining your marketing goals. Then, focus your selection process by interviewing firms that have worked on related campaigns with clients in similar industries.
2. “What If…”?
Did you know that social networking tool Facebook was originally developed as an online community for use by Harvard students? Now, it has more than 67 million users from various demographics, thus demonstrating the importance of pushing boundaries. You should think about ways to push the boundaries of your own creative marketing campaigns. Then, just when you think you’re done, ask yourself questions like, “What if…” and “How far can we go with this”?
3. Brainstorm within Your Community.
If you’re like us, you probably already write down every idea you have, no matter how ridiculous it may seem (ummm, right?). But remember to also leverage others, such as the communities you frequent in-person and online-and most importantly, your customers, to assist you in rising up to new challenges. For example, Starbucks implemented “My Starbucks Idea,” a website where customers can log-in and share their ideas on how to improve Starbucks; executives will try to implement the most popular ideas. What better way to get ideas on the direction of your business than from the people who purchase your products and services? So, take down those mental barriers, visit your local communities and start seeking inspiration.
4. Get Real.
Generate hip new marketing ideas by focusing on who your true customers are-or who you want them to be. For example, Dove’s “Real Beauty” campaign features real women in all shapes and sizes (as opposed to airbrushed models). This creative marketing campaign has increased Dove’s brand recognition, raised profits, and most importantly- created a mass cause-related movement to promote self-esteem. It’s a perfect example of success by bucking industry standards and tackling your marketing from a different point-of-view.
5. Sing the Song of Creative Marketing.
Say them, shout them and write them down, but whatever you do-get them out! Take cues from the advertising industry, where team members generate new ideas in a fast-paced environment by writing every idea onto whiteboards, posting inspirational photos or quotes in open spaces, and in some cases even singing their thoughts! Practice really does makes perfect, and the more you do it, the more adept you will become at churning out those nifty marketing ideas.
Getting those creative gears spinning is less strenuous than it seems. The trick is to remain open to new ideas whenever they come and wherever they come from (and trust us, they come from the most unexpected places and at the strangest times). Nevertheless, generating clever marketing ideas can lead to a stronger and more recognizable brand. Allowing for freedom to take risks paves the way for innovation, so take a deep breath, let go of your worries, and start creating!
Need help creating a creative marketing machine of your own? …
SPARK Facts
The average adult thinks of three to six alternatives for any given situation. The average child thinks of 60.