Inspiration is hard to come by, and even harder to fake.

Those of us in creative industries thrive on its heady, excitable energy and recognise that it's essential for producing work that is dynamic, interesting, attention grabbing and effective.

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When life becomes a series of tasks, we know we’re in trouble. Yet this can happen so easily. As speaker Jim Rohn once said: “either you run the day, or the day runs you.” 

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So, here are six tried and tested ideas to get inspired, and fuel brilliant communications and campaign planning. 

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1. Why are we here? Who are we talking to?

✋🏼 Existential as it sounds, re-visiting your purpose is a very simple way to spark your passion. Then understanding who you are talking to, their needs, values and pain points can spark relevant and compelling ideas.  It’s the most effective starting point. 

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2. Take a good look around 

👀 We all want fresh new ideas. But seeing how others knock-it-out-the-park can be incredibly uplifting and informative.

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Many techniques and practices can be adopted and personalised to create something unique and never-seen-before. Don’t be afraid to look beyond your field - ads, social movements, nonprofit campaigns, brand stories. Focus on what makes them powerful or memorable. 

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3. Tell a story 

📖 Storytelling creates a more interesting and compelling communication.

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Even better is to share real stories and experiences that come through from your brand or business. This  creates emotional connections that facts alone cannot. The shared emotional journey can build trust and rapport. 

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4. Brainstorm without Prejudice 

🧠 The pressure to come up with good ideas can be stifling in itself. Allow teams the freedom to come up with far-fetched or even ridiculous suggestions.

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At Glint we are fond of the brainstorming technique “Get me fired” where people are encouraged to think of the most risky, extreme and outrageous propositions.

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This gives everyone the freedom to let go. It’s also amazing how often this can spark brilliant (but sensible!) ideas. Bringing in different departments and functions can offer fresh perspectives.

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5. Get Outside 

🌳 Not necessarily literally (but that can be good too!). Change the scenery. Inspiration often strikes when you disconnect from your usual environment or workflow.

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Even going to the pub, the park or a local art gallery can expand thinking and relinquish the daily grind. 

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6. Play with Emotion and Tone

😊 Beyond facts, always ask: what should people feel? By exploring different emotional tones such as hope, humour, urgency, curiosity, we can open up creative approaches to messaging.

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❔ If you’re feeling stuck and want help getting inspired, we offer a one hour no obligation call. Get in touch - charlotte@weareglint.com

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