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If you’re like me, coming up with creative content ideas doesn’t come easily to you. 

I used to be jealous of people who could come up with amazing content ideas on the spot before I discovered that these “experts” have formulas or hacks they use constantly. 

Clever hacks! 

Once I figured this out and started using it for my business, coming up with content ideas has become increasingly easy for me. I want it to be easy for you as well. 

So, I will share what I learned with you in this blog post. 

Here are some clever hacks you can use to generate creative content ideas all the time.

How to come up with creative content ideas 

1. Use Swipe Files

Have you heard of a swipe file before? 

It’s a collection of marketing materials or examples you use for inspiration.  It’s one of the oldest tricks in the marketing book. Every good marketer, entrepreneur, or business owner should have their own version of swipe files. 

I have swipe files everywhere: in Canva, on Pinterest, as bookmarks on my laptop, Reels, TikTok videos, and even screenshots of billboard signs. I keep them all and draw on them when needed. 

So, if you see something that catches your eye, draws your attention, or makes you pause and think, save it for later. It can be articles, social media posts, email newsletters, or even catchy headlines. Anything that inspires you is worth saving; you never know what you can create from inspiration. 

How to Build Yours:

• Bookmark: When you find a blog post or piece of content that makes you think, “I wish I wrote that,” save it.
• Screenshot: Found a design or infographic that grabbed your attention? Screenshot and store it in a folder.
• Organize: Categorize your swipe file into different sections like headlines, visuals, storytelling ideas, etc., for easy access.

The next time you hit a creative wall, open up your swipe file and get inspired. It’s about adapting ideas, not copying—so put your own spin on things and get creative. 

2. Mind Map Your Way Out of Creative Blocks

If you’re not already using mind maps, you definitely should. I use them all the time in my 9-5 to develop a content strategy. 

Mind mapping is a game-changer when it comes to brainstorming content ideas. It’s as simple as grabbing a piece of paper (or using Canva) and jotting down your central topic. From there, draw branches that lead to related subtopics or questions your audience might have.

Example:

• Central Topic: Content Marketing
  • Branch 1: How to start a blog?
  • Branch 2: Repurposing content for social media
  • Branch 3: Content tools for small businesses

If you’re a visual learner, putting pen to paper or typing things out will help you see connections more clearly.  Don’t overthink things or aim for perfection; start with one topic and build it out. 

3. Lean Into the 5-Minute Free Write

Feeling uncreative often results from overthinking and overwhelming myself. If this is also your issue, try the 5-minute free write. 

What is the 5-minute free write? It’s a method where you dump every idea, thought, or question onto the page without judgment. 

I use this method to organize my clustered and scattered thoughts. All you have to do is pick a topic, set a timer, and write. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or whether your thoughts make sense. 

Just write. 

The goal is to unlock your brain and remove mental roadblocks.

Why It Works:

• It forces you to move past perfectionism, which often stifles creativity.
• It reveals unexpected ideas and angles you might not have considered otherwise.

The free-write method is the perfect warmup for your brain. You might be surprised at how many hidden ideas you come up with when you’re not obsessing over every word.

4. Start with What You Know

Here’s a secret: the best content often comes from your own experiences and expertise. 

One of my favorite posts came from a personal experience—a personal failure. I wrote about my two failed attempts at growing an Instagram page and how others should avoid making the mistakes I made. 

When in doubt, write what you know. You’re a business owner, so you have lots of knowledge and experience that people would find valuable. Use it to create content. 

When you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself:

• What questions do clients frequently ask me?
• What’s a common misconception about my industry?
• What’s something I wish I knew when I started my business?

Answering these questions builds content that resonates with your audience (because it’s relatable and real) and also plays to your strengths. 

You’re already an expert in your field, so why not use that knowledge to your creative advantage?

5. Get Inspiration from others

Emphasis on “inspiration”. 

Use others to fuel your content, but don’t copy them. I know this can be a very tricky line to tow. Many people confuse inspiration and copying, so here’s how to avoid mixing them up. 

First, everyone has a mind of their own, a distinctive voice, and an opinion. Yes, your opinions can be similar to others, but how you explain yourself or present your ideas would be different. 

Say you come across a video editing style a creator did that you love and think would fit perfectly with your content style. Copying would be taking exactly what that person did and just duplicating it, not changing anything and not even referencing the person. That is not okay. 

Taking inspiration, on the other hand, would be using the general idea or style of the video but changing it to fit your vision and style. And also finding a way to credit the original creator.

Don’t diminish your brand by copying others; you won’t build a strong audience that way. Instead, add your personality and unique twist to other people’s ideas. 

Remember, there’s no such thing as an original idea—just original ways of telling it.

6. Tap into User-Generated Content

Involve your audience in your content creation. 

User-generated content (UGC) is amazing for inspiration and engagement. Whether it’s testimonials, customer stories, or asking your followers to share their experiences, UGC offers fresh perspectives and ideas.

How to Use UGC:

• Run a contest encouraging customers to share how they use your product or service.
• Ask your social media followers a question related to your industry and turn their answers into a blog post.
• Highlight customer testimonials or case studies as social media graphics.

Not only does this approach lighten your workload, but it also builds community and trust—showing that your brand values its customers’ voices.

7. Find Inspiration Outside Your Niche

Don’t feel like you have to stay within your industry or niche. You can get inspiration literally anywhere, so don’t limit yourself.

If you’re constantly consuming content from your industry, it’s easy to get trapped in the same cycle of ideas. To avoid this, explore content outside your niche. Whether it’s a lifestyle blog, tech news, or even random TikTok videos—different perspectives can trigger new thoughts.

The key is to bring a fresh twist back to your own industry.

Try This:

• Read a book unrelated to business and apply its lessons to your entrepreneurial journey.
• Follow different experts on LinkedIn and sign up for their Newsletters.
• Watch TED Talks on creativity or storytelling to spark new ideas for content formats.
• Follow influencers in completely different fields and observe their approach to engaging their audiences.

Stepping outside your bubble helps you avoid regurgitating the same tired topics and encourages you to think differently. 

Remember, creativity often comes in different forms.

8. Collaborate and Brainstorm with Peers

There’s a very popular saying, I’m sure you know: “Two heads are better than one.”

In this context, it means you don’t have to figure everything out alone. You’re not the first or the last person to ever try and grow a business, so why not collaborate with other entrepreneurs? 

Brainstorming sessions with fellow business owners or marketers can help you develop new ideas and reveal different angles you might not have considered. 

Ways to Collaborate:

• Join groups where you can bounce content ideas off like-minded individuals e.g., Facebook groups, Instagram broadcast channels, etc.
• Guest blog for another business, which exposes you to their audience and gives you fresh content ideas.
• Co-host a webinar or workshop—two heads are always better than one.
• Or simply slide into their DMs ( just remember to be polite and keep things professional)

Collaboration opens up your creativity and helps you see beyond your perspective. Plus, it’s a great way to expand your network and reach. 

You can even reach out to me with any questions or concerns. Drop me a comment on any of my blog posts, or subscribe to my email list where we can have more meaningful conversations. 

9. Utilize Content Prompts and Generators

When all else fails, turn to content prompts or idea generators.

There are tons of free tools available online that can help kickstart your creativity when you’re running on empty. Tools like HubSpot’s Blog Ideas Generator, ChatGPT, UberSuggest, AnswerThePublic, or even social media trend trackers can offer a lot of inspiration.

Here’s How:

• Use a keyword related to your niche (e.g., “entrepreneurship”) in an idea generator and see what comes up.
• Browse trending hashtags or topics on Twitter for current, relevant ideas.
• Look up “day in the life” or “behind the scenes” content prompts—these are easy wins for authenticity and engagement.

These tools are perfect when you need that initial spark to get the wheels turning. Once you’ve got a starting point, it’s easier to expand and make the content your own.

Everyone struggles once in a while with being creative and coming up with new ideas. It’s even harder now when it feels like you have to put out content much faster than ever before. 

You’re not alone in feeling the way you do. So, try these tips and see how they make your content creation process much easier. 

Remember, creating creative content ideas is about finding what works for you, staying open to inspiration, and giving yourself permission to experiment.