Question: What is one tip for brainstorming interesting new content to help build your brand?
Plan a Group Think Tank
"I like to get together with all the guys I work with and have a fun brainstorming session where we come up with ideas to grow our brand online. We each have to come prepared with 3-5 ideas. This allows us to all have good, solid ideas to talk about and build on as a team. When someone has an idea and others can chime in, it helps get the creative juices flowing!"
@johnrampton
Hone in on Interview Questions
"Take a listen to past interviews and consider what questions come up over and over again. Those topics are ripe for expansion and can easily become a blog, video series or podcast episode. It's not just media interviews either -- think about what potential employees asked during your last hiring round about the work you're doing and approach you're taking."
@krazevedo
Make a List
"Make a list of things you're an expert in, things you enjoy and topics you find yourself keeping up to date on. Then, go through the list and put a star next to the items that you feel passionate enough about to have a definitive viewpoint. This will give you a great starting point for topics you can speak to with authority. Use it as a tool to create content that will reinforce your brand."
@brittanyhodak
Stop and Listen
"The best way to build great content to help build your brand is by answering the questions your audience is looking for. The only way you can do that is to stop and listen to them. I'd recommend using tools like Search.Twitter.com and Google Keyword Tool to look at what people are searching for, and then write content on those topics to help your target audience."
@syedbalkhi
Listen to Your Customers
"What questions are your customers asking? Review notes from your team's calls and emails with clients and prospects. Let your responses serve as inspiration for new content."
@MESlayter
Write a How-To
"You know that problem that should have taken 5 minutes, but ended up taking 5 hours? Save the next person the time and headache of dealing with this dilemma by documenting the solution. Those armed with their newfound knowledge will be very appreciative of not only your trailblazing, but the fact that you were generous enough to leave behind a map."
@rohr_jeff
Reverse Engineer Your Competitor Content
"Take the brainstorming out of creating new content. Instead, start by studying successful blogs in your niche. Find content in your niche that has already performed well using tools like Open Site Explorer, Pinterest, Wikipedia and Google. Then, take what you find to make it even better. After creating great content, promote it to people who care. The result will be more traffic for your brand."
@BrettFarmiloe
Read the Comments
"One way to create new content while building on what you've already published is to look at the articles that have been successful thus far and read the comments generated by your readers. Perhaps your audience has questions that you could answer via a new story, or perhaps they’re raving about how interesting the topic is. This is one of the easiest ways to give your fans what they want."
@firaskittaneh
Seek Inspiration
"Assuming you have creatives at your company, request they look for inspiration. Creatives have the natural skill to look at things from an outside perspective. If they see what other content creatives are producing, I can guarantee you they'll naturally think of something new."
@ryanashank
Don't Start With a Goal
"Rule number one with brainstorming is don't "direct" the conversation right out of the gate. Allow people to free think and they'll take the brainstorm down paths that you didn't even consider. Studies have shown that when a goal or ideal solution type is presented at the beginning of a brainstorm, participants only focus on that and don't consider other options or opportunities. It's limiting."
@andrewhowlett
