Ten tricks to make creativity a cornerstone of your business
Ten tricks to make creativity a cornerstone of your business
In business how much time do you spend being creative? As a copywriter, being creative is my job. And that means I spend a lot of time in my zone.
But is it enough?
As a small business there are always a million things to do. It can be difficult to find dedicated creative time. However if you do, it could help you outsmart the competition.
So read on and discover some compelling reasons why creativity in business works, as well as ten tips to make creativity one of your cornerstones.
Let’s go.
Do you notice there are some people who always have ideas?
Creativity is a natural human instinct.
If you want proof, just look at children.
Creativity happens when you manifest something new. It brings ideas and concepts from your imagination into a tangible form. And it’s this that can give your business a competitive edge.
Here are three reasons to create in your business
1. It’s inspiring.
Creativity is exciting. It gives you a buzz and can inspire both yourself and your customers. Just look at the legacy of Apple’s Steve Jobs.
2. It’s innovating.
Create, develop something new and watch how innovation gives your business momentum. You’ll push boundaries and make new things possible.
3. It’s outsmarting.
Use creativity to tap new markets, reach new customers, and keep existing buyers wanting more. Stay creative, spot the new ideas and you’ll be the business out front.
Convinced? Here are ten tricks to wake up your creativity.
1. Find your “zone”
You’ll be at your most creative when ideas free flow and ooze naturally. So take the time to discover what takes you to that place. Often it will be when you stop trying.
2. Stay inspired
It’s a good way to find your zone. Read, ask questions, speak to customers, spend time in nature or listen to music. Find what gets your ideas flowing. On Twitter I like Friday’s #TeamInspire. Between 6-6:30pm (GMT) simply follow the hash tag for a weekly dose of creative thinking and inspirational talking.
3. Keep a notepad.
I take mine everywhere. Use it to jot down random thoughts and fleeting glances. It will quickly develop into a valuable resource. It ensures you don’t waste time trying to remember and gives you a head start when brainstorming.
4. Schedule creative time.
Whilst it’s true creativity is a natural process, it does require some good old-fashioned elbow grease. So commit at least an hour each week (more if you can) and put it in your diary so you don’t forget.
4. Don’t try to hard!
OK this contradicts the last point but too much effort can stifle creativity. So if it’s not working, move on and try something else. If creating feels difficult, your critical head may be in the way and a cracking idea could be stifled. So when this happens…
5. Sleep on it!
It works for me. Or take a walk. Nanette De Ville of Silk Skies Egyptian Tours finds meditation helps. Discover what works to take you away from the moment. In your absence your subconscious will be hard at work. Then when you take a new look, you’ll be surprised at what shifted.
7. Have fun!
You’ve got to enjoy being creative. So stock up on stationery, use different colour pens, doodle, scribble, write on stickies and make your creative workspace fun. Let your expression be free and wait for those little gems to come running.
8. Watch who you tell.
New ideas need nurturing so protect your creativity with encouragement. It is useful to cast a critical eye, but avoid the drainers who knock your confidence and suck embryonic ideas into the void.
9. Trust yourself.
To be creative you must get out of your own way. So be observant with your thoughts and dispel those “well that’s a rubbish idea” comments. For sure some ideas will be a non-starter, but you never know which fleeting notion could be the one to transform your business.
10. Finally watch how you speak to yourself.
Call yourself creative, believe in your ideas, and ask how you could make an idea happen. Whatever you do don’t focus on the reasons why something won’t work.
How does a published author get creative?
Here’s two bonus tips from Allegra Gee – author of 49 Ways to Kick-Start your Business (available on Amazon).
- When you are thinking of ideas, allow everything. Don’t filter and don’t judge any ideas. Often ideas grow on you, or they lead to other things.
- If you find yourself creatively stuck, try ‘Morning Pages’ by Julia Cameron. It’s a technique that’s proven to work. Every morning, as soon as you wake up write three-pages of longhand. The key is to write whatever comes out. There’s no editing, no filtering. It works…
For more information visit www.juliacameronlive.com
So there you have it. Three reasons to be creative in business and some powerful tools to make it happen.
But what have I missed? What gets you into the zone of creative explosion!
Leave a comment and let me know.
About Author:
GemWriting is the home of freelance copywriter Georgina El Morshdy.
“Small businesses owners invariably juggle many hats. Therefore it can be a challenge to find the time or creativity to write copy that sells. I remove this hassle by doing the hard work for you”.
Want to get in touch?
Visit my website at: www.gemwriting.co.uk
Follow my conversation on Twitter: GemWriting
Email me: Georgina El Morshdy
Phone me: 07954 580039
- by Georgina El Morshdy
- posted at 3:18 pm
- January 19, 2012
