Brainstorming, sometimes known as idea generation, has been around for centuries. In fact, even if you claim to be new to the practice, chances are you did your fair share of it by the time you hit middle school. Whichever way you look at it, brainstorming is one of the best ways to connect and collaborate with your colleagues as you all work together to strengthen your brand’s efforts from the inside. According to content strategist and brainstorming leader, Chuck Frey, the practice has actually become more useful in the digital age. As cutting-edge technologies reveal themselves, so do idea-generating tools that can be used for flexible brainstorming processes (i.e., remote brainstorming).
Because the digital space is so full – and loud! – sometimes it can be hard to find content marketing inspiration. That’s why content marketers and the wonderful teams that support them need creative thinking tools now more than ever. Fortunately, there are tons of helpful tips and tutorials that can help you become an adept brainstormer in no time. We’ve rounded up 49 of the best brainstorming techniques for content marketers available, all of which are designed with content creation in mind. Note: The following 49 tips and tutorials are listed alphabetically by category for easy reference, but they aren’t ranked or rated in any way.
- Blog Post Brainstorming Techniques
- Social Media Brainstorming Techniques
- Brainstorming Techniques for Boosting Engagement
- Brainstorming Techniques for Getting More Out of Your Content
Content managers with dozens (or hundreds) of amazing ideas understand the importance of having a streamlined, central solution for managing those ideas – and all the digital assets that go into making them a reality. From the creative brief to the final iteration, a robust digital asset management solution like MerlinOne provides a central hub for managing all your digital assets, so you can bring your ideas to life.
Blog Post Brainstorming Techniques
1. Column Five Media – How to Help Your Team Brainstorm Better Content Marketing Ideas
@columnfive
The experts at Column Five understand what it takes to conduct a successful content brainstorming session. In this post, marketers, brand owners, and content experts are given plenty in the way of process, including suggestions on everything from creating a welcoming brainstorming environment to solid ideation techniques – and everything in between.
Three key tips:
- When brainstorming, place the group in a pleasing environment
- Be acquainted with all benchmarks and goals prior to beginning the process
- Spend time vetting every idea
2. Common Canopy – How to Brainstorm Blog Posts that People Will Actually Want to Read
@commoncanopy
Lauren from brand and lifestyle marketing website, Common Canopy, unveils a host of her most crucial content brainstorming tips that are geared specifically towards the solo writer. In addition to breaking down her no-nonsense approach to content creation, she also shares some of her favorite tools to use during the brainstorming phase, including Evernote, Pinterest, and more.
Three key tips:
- If you are stuck, brainstorm while you research new topics
- First and foremost, take your target audience into consideration
- Block out time for brainstorming – and follow through with your schedule
3. Convince & Convert – 4 Resources to Help You Brainstorm Ideas for Your Next Blog Post
@convince
Instead of inundating you with generic advice on blog post brainstorming, the marketing gurus at Convince & Convert share four of their favorite resources for starting or reinvigorating your own creative sessions. The firm even lays out some smart common-sense rules for using each tool. The resources include some big names and one not-so-big one – Quora, Reddit, targeted forums, and Crate.
Three key tips:
- Spend time researching the forums that the target audience actually uses
- For idea inspiration, visit a subreddit
- Use Crate for content creation, not just curation
4. Copywrite Matters – My Foolproof Method for Brainstorming Blog Ideas on Boring Topics
@copywritemattrs
Every once in awhile we are made to write on topics that don’t really do much for us in the way of inspiration. It can be a frustrating situation to find yourself in, but luckily, Belinda Weaver from Copywrite Matter has some sound ideas to get you through it. By simply focusing on organization and truth-telling, Weaver promises that even the most snooze-inducing topics can be expanded on – and written – in a satisfying manner.
Three key points:
- Educate readers on the business or brand, especially for dense or hard-to-grasp topics
- Use examples and create ‘trigger events’ to keep the audience interested
- Find ways that you can use your text to solve problems
5. CoSchedule Blog – 189 Creative Blog Post Ideas That Will Delight Your Audience
@CoSchedule
If you are in serious need of some blog post inspiration, look no further than this post from the CoSchedule Blog, which lays out 189 brilliant blog post ideas. Not every idea will work for your business or target audience, but some lightbulbs are sure to turn while you peruse this long list. Its features include additional formatting, theme, and even universal copywriting advice.
Three key points:
- Think about how your business or product has been used in a creative or unexpected way and expand on it
- Organize your blogging and brainstorming schedules
- Consider including an influencer-written guest post
6. CoSchedule Blog – This is the Best 30-Minute Content Marketing Brainstorming Process
@CoSchedule
In yet another helpful content brainstorming post, the marketing experts over at the CoSchedule Blog share their foolproof, 30-minute content marketing brainstorming process. The techniques included in this process cover everything from scoring topics to picking out successful post indicators – and everything in between. The process can serve as a great jumping-off point for groups that have not yet developed their own brainstorming procedure.
Three key points:
- Strong ideas match your audience’s likes and lifestyles
- Always lead with the content of which you have an expert understanding
- Focus on quantity before editing for quality
7. Designer Blogs – Brainstorming a Year’s Worth of Blog Posts
@designerblogs
Taking an inspiring and interactive approach, Designer Blogs poses a series of 20 questions which are designed to help brands and bloggers focus on developing the blog posts their audiences care about most. In addition to the questions, readers are also provided with a series of tips that are to be used throughout the writing process, including advice on time management, idea generation, and more.
Three key tips:
- Schedule uninterrupted time for brainstorming
- Use online tools for idea generation support
- Develop printable guides for your readers or subscribers
8. DigitalMarketer – The Ultimate List of Blog Post Ideas
@DigitalMktr
Similar to the CoSchedule’s aforementioned “189 Blog Post Ideas” guide, DigitalMarketer also has a lengthy list built to elicit brilliant targeted posts. What we like most about this guide is that it breaks the post ideas into eight different, easy-to-digest, post categories: useful, generous, entertaining, timely, human, promotional, controversial, and engaging.
Three key points:
- Create “human” posts that cater to your audience’s sensibilities
- Differentiate yourself from a competitor with a comparison post
- Be engaging with an answer-themed post
9. HubSpot – How to Think Up a Year’s Worth of Blog Post Topics in an Hour
@HubSpot
In this succinct and simple-to-follow post, Ginny Mineo from HubSpot shares her 7 foolproof steps for creating an annual blog post schedule – post topics included! What we love about this handy guide is that the advice transcends industry and engagement level by including marked tips on audience research, formatting, and more.
Three key points:
- Get to know the movements of your target audience
- Don’t be afraid to switch up the format
- Remove all titles that don’t solve your customers’ problems
10. Jeff Bullas – 27 Killer Strategies for Brainstorming Blog Post Ideas
@jeffbullas
Digital marketing authority, Jeff Bullas, reveals his 27 most proven strategies for brainstorming the best, targeted blog post ideas. His advice ranges from common sense, like keyword generation techniques, to more unorthodox brainstorming routes, like reading a good book. Bullas’ sage advice is sure to bring plenty of brilliant ideas to those who follow it.
Three key points:
- Use a brainstorming spreadsheet
- Get comfortable with the Medici Effect
- Take time interviewing your target readers
11. Journey Junkie – How to Brainstorm a Blog + a Worksheet
@AllieFlavio
Noted health and lifestyler influencer, Allie Flavio of the Journey Junkie, shares her most tried and true blog post brainstorming techniques. She also provides a simple-to-use brainstorming worksheet that puts your ideas into handy sub-topics and categories for more focused idea generation.
Three key points:
- Seek out other blogs and blog posts that mirror your style
- Focus on building a clear direction and vision prior to starting the posts
- Take a passionate approach to brainstorming
12. Moz – Chapter 5: Content Ideation
@Moz
The marketing gurus at Moz reveal their best content ideation tips for devising the most authentic and effective blog posts. Moz breaks this guide down into five targeted sections: where ideas come from, content freshness, inspiration for boring industries, recognizing the right idea, and targeting and providing value. You can skip to the section that interests you the most, but there is plenty of sage advice to follow sprinkled throughout the post.
Three key points:
- A good brainstorm includes two or more creative brains
- If your brainstorming group is quiet, begin the meeting with an icebreaker exercise
- Record your brainstorming session
13. Newfangled – Brainstorming Techniques for Content Topic Ideation
@Newfangled_web
This straightforward guide penned by content marketing firm, Newfangled, reveals the common pitfalls associated with blog post brainstorming, including unrealistic expectations, as well as the negative effects of groupthink. Along with these pitfalls, Newfangled provides advice to jump over hurdles so that you can brainstorm and create posts that matter to your audience.
Three key points:
- Create healthy constraints using timing techniques
- Spend time structuring your brainstorming session
- Break typical team dynamics by including all different levels in the session
14. Solopreneur Diaries – A Quick and Easy Way to Brainstorm Blog Topics
@tonia_kendrick
Branding expert and consultant, Tonia Kendrick of Solopreneur Diaries, shares her “quick and easy” way to brainstorm blog and post topics. In it, we learn that her process consists of three, easy-to-follow steps: category creation, blog post scheduling, and repetition. Though it may sound daunting, Kendrick urges ‘solopreneurs’ to come up with 10 new blog post ideas in 5 minutes, a difficult task but a fruitful one for those who can complete it.
Three key points:
- Ask your readers what they need help with and base your posts on their responses
- Re-evaluate your categories and sub-categories
- Nourish each category of your blog
15. Status.net – 4 Organized Brainstorming Templates, Charts, and Worksheets | Free Download
App and applet purveyor, Status.net, shares its four most effective brainstorming templates, charts, and worksheets. Although these resources aren’t necessarily specifically geared toward blog post creation, they are general enough to be used for virtually any purpose, content included.
Three key points:
- Keep files of the brainstorming tools you use
- Concept maps are good for connecting words with ideas
- Provide your brainstorming group with helpful visuals
16. WordPress – 7 Brainstorming Techniques to Discover New Blog Topics
@WordPress
In this guide by blogging platform, WordPress, we are given 7 brilliant brainstorming techniques that are designed to help marketing professionals create a content schedule from the ground up. Advice ranges from typical suggestions like predictive searching to unconventional techniques, such as “brain-writing.”
Three key points:
- Speed up the process with associative brainstorming
- Gamify your group brainstorming efforts
- Turn to the Internet for inspiration
Social Media Brainstorming Techniques
17. 2060 Digital – How to Actually Have a Productive Social Media Brainstorming Session
@2060Digital
The digital brand experts over at 2060 Digital share their top tips for conducting a productive social media-based brainstorming session. These actions are specifically designed to keep everyone happy and on-topic through the use of planning, agendas, strict ground rules, and more.
Three key points:
- No idea should be criticized or dismissed
- Create a mind map to help flesh out an idea
- Define and assign action members to team members
18. Crowd Control HQ – 9 Tactics to Jump-Start Your Social Media Brainstorm
@crowdcontrolhq
Crowd Control HQ brings a fun and energetic approach to social media brainstorming sessions, one that urges teams to adopt interactive spitballing, such as the ‘6 Thinking Hats Technique’. The firm also advises managers to diversify the brainstorming groups to include members from all different departments. This inclusive tactic produces more holistic social media-based content creation.
Three key points:
- Use social listening tools to create content
- Use audience polling to help determine a content schedule
- Bring data into the room by analyzing what topics have been most successful
19. DigitalHill – How to Use the Cloud to Brainstorm Social Media Content
@DigitalHill
DigitalHill gives solid social media brainstorming-related advice that makes use of the Cloud’s best tools to aid in content creation. We learn that, by using tools from the Cloud, we can better connect to colleagues, watch the competition, and learn the most effective keywords, all of which can make the brainstorming process smoother and more fruitful.
Three key points:
- Spend time researching keywords carefully
- Leverage all tools related to social intelligence
- Don’t be afraid to test a new format that you think fits your audience well
20. Hootsuite – 11 Ways to Kickstart Your Social Media Brainstorm
@hootsuite
Few know the power of social media content creation than Hootsuite – and, lucky for us, they are sharing some of their most tried and true brainstorming techniques. For even more help on structuring your session, be sure to fill out Hootsuite’s step-by-step social media strategy guide with your team.
Three key points:
- Review all top-performing posts prior to brainstorming
- Keep an inspiration folder and share it with your team
- Get inspiration from trending hashtags
21. Likeable Media – The Content Brainstorm: 5 Tips for Social Media Marketers
@LikeableMedia
Likeable Media has released its 5 top tips for great social media marketers who might not have the most natural knack for brainstorming. In the post, we learn the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of brainstorming for social media, including how to maintain an encouraging environment, avoiding timely content traps, and inviting the most creative people into the room.
Three key points:
- Avoid inviting the same team members to brainstorm over and over again
- Incorporate thought-starter questions
- Focus on fleshing out one idea at a time
22. MarTech Series – Use These 3 Brainstorming Exercises to Fuel Your Next Social Media Campaign
@MarTechSeries
The MarTech Series always gives digital marketers the tools they need to make their own place in the landscape. In this post, R.J. Taylor reveals his three top brainstorming exercises for social media campaign creation. In it, we are given a brainstorming exercise to fit different scenarios, including content brainstorming, group brainstorming, and “dreamer” brainstorming.
Three key points:
- Encourage large groups to write down ideas for later discussion
- Brainwriting groups come up with 20% more ideas than those who follow traditional brainstorming methods
- For out-of-the-box thinking, try the “wishing” brainstorming method
23. Portent – How to Run a Great Marketing Brainstorm: The Creative Warm-Up
@Portent
Kyle Eliason of Portent penned what is potentially the most fun and interactive social media brainstorming guide on our list. In it, he outlines all of the ways in which teams can bring their best ideas to the surface, from teamwork-building warm-up exercises to tactics that keep the conversation organized and respectful. This is an especially fitting guide for those who are new to moderating brainstorming sessions.
Three key points:
- Remember to be encouraging to all group members
- If laughter isn’t involved, something probably isn’t going right
- Get rid of hierarchy when brainstorming as a team
24. Social Champ – How to Kickstart Your Social Media Brainstorming
@SocialChampSays
Social Champ has penned a concise but mighty post on social media brainstorming that is specifically designed for boosting engagement. In it, we are provided with an industry breakdown on social media marketing efforts, as well as a set of step-by-step instructions for hosting your own social media brainstorming session.
Three key points:
- Instruct group members to brainstorm on specific events, such as holidays, seasons, and visuals
- Assign each member their own task
- Come in having already investigated your competitors
25. Swat.io – How to Brainstorm and Manage Ideas for Your Social Media Content Plan
@swat_io
This post by Florian Hiess of Swat.io covers the 7 most effective brainstorming techniques for social media strategy. The 7 techniques – brainwriting, figuring storming, online brainstorming (brain-netting), rapid ideation, round-robin brainstorming, starbursting, and the stepladder technique – when done right, elicit more questions than answers, a result which can give teams a plethora of organic content ideas.
Three key points:
- When brainstorming, also make sure that you bring your entire social media plan into the mix
- Choose a brainstorming technique that fits your schedule and work environment
- Select rapid ideation if your regular brainstorming sessions take too much time
26. Investis Digital – Content Marketing Ideas and Topic Brainstorming
Digital marketing and brainstorming firm, Investis Digital, shares some of the key steps brands must take to round out their social media presences. Included in this is everything from collaboration and culture-strengthening exercises to proper keyword research advice. Investis Digital also urges businesses to incorporate content calendars into the brainstorming sessions so that elements like titles, descriptions, and target audiences are never overlooked.
Three key points:
- Brainstorm on high-level elements, such as promotion and distribution strategies
- Make use of research tools to help the process go smoother
- Ask questions to overcome writer’s block
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5 Ways a DAM Helps your Team Meet Deadlines
Brainstorming Techniques for Boosting Engagement
27. AWeber – 10 Rules for Mind-Blowing Content Brainstorming Sessions
@aweber
Email marketing firm AWeber has penned a brilliant post that lays out its top 10 rules to use in brainstorming sessions for solidifying content strategies and boosting engagement. While some of these rules may seem quite obvious (no negativity, no cell phones), others are anything but (forget the past and resist tangents). To help even further, AWeber has included a link to its 45+ email templates. A helpful tool for those who need even more inspiration in the brainstorming phase.
28. BuzzSumo – How to Use Interactive Content Marketing Platforms to Drive Business
@BuzzSumo
One of the best ways to boost engagement is to use interactive content marketing platforms that your audience can get inspired by. In this post, penned by Carmel Anderson of BuzzSumo, we learn how interactive content (i.e., quizzes, timelines, visuals, etc.) can be tailor-made to your audience’s sensibilities. With a little guided brainstorming, your brand will know that it’s investing in the content that makes its customers click, read, and listen.
Three key points:
- Start by analyzing data to determine what your audience really wants
- Brainstorm how team members can make proven content interactive
- Create the perfect lead magnet to increase conversions
29. cognitive SEO – Top Tips and Tools to Brainstorm Creative Content
@cognitiveSEO
In this post by digital marketing and SEO firm, cognitive SEO, we are given plenty of tips and tricks for holding the most fruitful content brainstorming sessions imaginable. Much of the advice falls into the realm of engagement support, which, cognitive SEO says can be boosted with the help of tools, like Google Reader, Visual.ly, and more.
Three key points:
- Get advice from your colleagues
- Create case studies going to the brainstorming session
- Use tools like Pinterest to brainstorm content ideas
30. Column Five Media – 5 Questions to Brainstorm Awesome Interactive Content Ideas
@columnfive
As mentioned, one of the best and most effective ways to boost engagement is to incorporate interactive content into your overall content strategy. In this post, Column Five Media poses 5 remarkably relevant questions to ask during interactive content brainstorming sessions, all of which are designed to touch on the sensibilities of your audience and the current capabilities of your brand.
Three key points:
- Identify any existing content that can be built upon
- Bring underutilized data to the table
- Figure out what makes your team members tick when it comes to interactive content
31. CoSchedule Blog – 13 Interactive Content Examples that Will Engage Your Audience
@CoSchedule
If interactive content is part of your strategy but brainstorming isn’t necessarily your strongest suit, check out this post by the CoSchedule Blog. In it, there are thirteen pristine examples of interactive content, all of which can serve as a jumping-off point during the brainstorming process. Sometimes a little inspiration to get started can take you a long way.
Three key points:
- Increase brand loyalty and exposure with shares
- Evaluate how interactive content will work for your brand prior to beginning the brainstorming process
- Consider repurposing content that would translate well in interactive mediums
32. Entrepreneur – 7 Tools that Make Interactive Content Creation Easy
@Entrepreneur
Sometimes it helps to move along brainstorming sessions with targeted tools used to stimulate ideation. The business gurus over at Entrepreneur share 7 of these tools in its post, all of which are specifically designed to drum up interactive content creation efforts for teams large and small. As a bonus, each of these tools can be used remotely and shared with other team members easily, making brainstorming and collaboration just that much more seamless.
Three key points:
- The use of interactive content is only rising
- The most popular form of interactive content is the online quiz
- 53% of marketers already use interactive content
33. G Suite Learning Center – Top 10 Ways to Use G Suite to Brainstorm
@gsuite
GSuite users not only get great support in terms of email management, messaging services, and workflow collaboration, the platform also lends itself to brainstorming. This can be accomplished in a number of ways (10 to be exact!), including seamless document sharing, feedback polling, idea and task tracking, and even the building of brainstorming-based sites.
Three key points:
- Ensure that all brainstorming efforts can culminate in a powerful pitch
- Poll your team for feedback on new concepts
- Consolidate all brainstorming documents and save for future strategy sessions
34. Online Optimism – Brainstorming Techniques for Content Marketers
@onlineoptimism
Online Optimism takes a – believe it or not – optimistic approach to content brainstorming, providing marketers with positive advice that encourages kindness and creativity. The firm even urges marketers to “brainstorm to brainstorm” in order to have the most productive creative sessions possible. Techniques like this are designed to make marketers more prolific, an effect which can, in the best cases, boost engagement.
35. Shopify Partners – How to Develop an Effective Creative Brainstorming Process
@Shopify
In this post on developing effective brainstorm processes, Shopify Partners brings forth several golden rules to follow for creating the right creative environments. What we love most about this handy step-by-step is that it is can be used for a range of different brainstorming situations, from engagement boosting sessions to productive strategy summits.
Three key points:
- Begin with an ice-breaker
- Always establish the brainstorming rules
- Bring tools and other resources into the discussion
36. SnapApp – How to Brainstorm New Interactive Content Ideas
@Snap_App
Shifting back to interactive content creation, Kaleigh Moore of SnapApp has shared some seriously smart ideas for conducting the most rewarding brainstorming meetings. In addition to setting the right tone, marketers are also instructed to test out different analytical tools, including mind mapping, the Medici Effect, SWOT analysis, and more.
Three key points:
- Don’t be selective during the brainstorming process
- Write down all ideas – even if it’s just the beginning of one
- Make use of online content boards
37. TechnologyAdvice – 9 Brainstorming Activities to Inspire Your Content Marketing Team
@Technology_Adv
Often, the content that audiences get most excited about is the very content that marketers have a fun time developing. TechnologyAdvice takes this notion and uses it as inspiration for this post, which includes a whopping 9 brainstorming activities designed for content teams.
Three key points:
- Brainstorming doesn’t have to be a chore
- For content updating, try the “Change Two Things” exercise
- Try out a content brainstorming matrix
38. Tallyfy – 14 Free Brainstorming Tools to Facilitate Innovation
@tallyfy
On the lookout for even more tried and true brainstorming tools? If so, check out this post from Tallyfy which includes a range of exercises and other suggestions for engagement-boosting brainstorming. In addition to the usual suspects, Tallyfy also includes app-based and virtual brainstorming tools for both solo and group innovation.
Three key points:
- There are plenty of online brainstorming tools for those who work remotely
- Virtual brainstorming encourages online idea gathering
- Solo mind mapping is so powerful because it is based on intuitive connections
Brainstorming Techniques for Getting More Out of Your Content
39. Buffer – The Ultimate Guide to Repurposing Content: 12 Ways to Extend the Life of Every Article You Write
@buffer
One of the best ways to get more out of your content – especially when you are working on a tight schedule! – is to take what you already have and repurpose it. In this piece written by Kevan Lee of Buffer, we learn how to brainstorm and strategize the content repurposing process so that audiences connect with brands even more.
Three key points:
- Prior to brainstorming, identify your evergreen content
- Brainstorm on other media formats, including videos and infographics
- When refining ideas, bring important factors, like SEO, into the discussion
40. Codeless – 7 Killer Ways to Repurpose Blog Content [Cheat Sheet]
@GetCodeless
![Codeless - 7 Killer Ways to Repurpose Blog Content [Cheat Sheet]](https://merlinone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Screen-Shot-2019-08-17-at-6.14.23-PM-min.jpg)
This post by Codeless provides even more reasons why repurposing content can be a lifesaver for brands. In this guide, we learn all of the ways that content can be sufficiently repurposed, but we also learn how teams can go about brainstorming the process as a whole. As a bonus, Codeless has even included a cheat sheet for more thorough brainstorming sessions.
Three key points:
- Brainstorm ways that lists can be transformed
- Research ‘mix and match’ content possibilities
- Include data about competitors
41. DivvyHQ – Effective Brainstorming Activities to Build Your Content Calendar
@DivvyHQ
The sharp folks over at content management platform, DivvyHQ, have published this brilliant article which outlines the best brainstorming activities for building a content calendar. Included in the post is information for both new and longstanding brands. Better yet, all activities can be used for a variety of brainstorming tasks, including content creation, updating, general marketing, and more.
Three key points:
- Invite people from outside of your group to brainstorm
- Try mind mapping
- Encourage team members to build on one another’s ideas
42. Kev Charlie – 9 Ways to Repurpose Your Content and Reach a Larger Audience in Less Time
@kevcharlies
Marketing expert, Kev Charlie, is a big proponent of brands repurposing content and, though he doesn’t mention “brainstorming” by name, his article does include plenty of easy jumping-off points for marketers who are in the process of stretching content. Included in Charlie’s list of ideas is repurposing content for e-books, podcasts, SlideShare presentations, YouTube videos, and more.
Three key points:
- Consider your library of content as a whole
- With your team members, determine the format of content you would like to create
- Brainstorm about how pre-existing content can reach new audiences
43. Medium Strategic Content Marketing – Why You Should Pay Attention to Repurposing Content
@Medium
If your team is not quite yet as on board with content brainstorming as they should be, you can always send them this Medium Strategic Content Marketing post by Shane Barker which lists 7 of the most impactful reasons why content – specifically content repurposing – should be given plenty of attention in organizations. Barker tells us that, when content is repurposed smartly, it can expand a brand’s reach and even improve internal skillsets.
Three key points:
- Use repurposed content to boost reputation and online presence
- Brainstorm to discover the formats your audiences will best respond to
- Optimize your time and efforts
44. Melyssa Griffin – The Ultimate Guide to Repurposing Your Blog Content
@melyssa_griffin
Similar to Medium’s aforementioned post on repurposing blog content, Melyssa Griffin’s guide isn’t necessarily geared towards brainstorming, but her sharp points can certainly be used to inspire a session. This consultant and digital marketing expert gives us plenty of mediums and format options for quick repurposing, including social media platforms, emails, courses, and more.
Three key points:
- Go into the session knowing exactly what platform your audience responds to most
- Re-evaluate your Facebook marketing efforts
- Challenge yourself to re-formulate content for 10 different platforms
45. QuickSprout – The Complete Guide to Repurposing Blog Content
@quicksprout
The gurus over at QuickSprout have created a user-friendly guide aimed to give marketers more leverage when it comes to creating content repurposing brainstorming sessions. Not only does QuickSprout share information about how repurposing is accomplished, it also brings powerful statistics into the mix which underline the importance of the brainstorming efforts.
Three key points:
- For better brainstorming, look outside of your normal team
- If contractors can be hired to expand content, let your team know before brainstorming begins
- Investigate all of the content possibilities before the session
46. The Robly Email Marketing Blog – Repurposing Content: A Step-by-Step Guide
@RoblyNYC
Email marketers, this one is for you. In this guide by the Robly Email Marketing Blog, we learn all of the different ways in which content can be repurposed and expanded, both in email and other formats. Since email marketing can sometimes be a narrow focus, this is a great guide to show a team who is having some trouble thinking out-of-the-box in brainstorming sessions.
Three key points:
- Challenge team members to “reimagine” established content
- Focus on bringing only evergreen content into the mix
- Open up the discussion to explore how repurposing might affect your current content schedule
47. Small Business Trends – Repurposing Older Content Doesn’t Have to Be Hard, Read These 7 Tips
@smallbiztrends
Teams who are currently stuck in a content rut need look no further than this Small Business Trends article for inspiration. We suggest incorporating several examples of your prize content into the session so that your team members can identify the best ways each one can be updated and/or expanded upon.
Three key points:
- Consider the format
- Consider the target audience
- Use past data to determine which formats are best for your brand
48. Socialbakers – 5 Tips for Repurposing Blog Posts for New Content
@socialbakers
For even more tips on repurposing blog content, check out this post by Midori Nediger of Socialbakers. In it, you will find plenty in the way of content repurposing guidance which can be used to establish “ground rules” in your very own content brainstorming session.
Three key points:
- Come in having identified the top-performing blog posts
- Use visuals to help brainstorm the most organic ideas
- Focus on developing ideas that include engaging images
49. Sprout Social – 11 Clever Tips to Repurpose Content
@SproutSocial
Last but not least, the marketing experts over at Sprout Social have published a list of 11 ultra-clever tips for content repurposing. Like other posts mentioned in this section, Sprout Social focuses on the ways in which repurposed content is effective, except this particular guide focuses entirely on social media, making it a great choice for social-based brainstorming sessions.
Three key tips:
- Make use of customer testimonials
- Discuss how content can be republished to different formats
- Re-frame current content into news
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