Ever come away from a brainstorm thinking you could have done more? More enthusiasm. More ideas. More ‘wow’ factor.
Here are some top tips to keep the brainstorm creative and lively, ensuring you get the best ideas:
1) Decorate
Inspire your team with images. Whether it’s products, themes, words or colours, get people thinking the moment they walk into the room.
2) Breaking the ice
Even the most creative people need a boost to get to their best ideas, which is why a brief-related ‘lightening round’ game works well. Why not ask your team a question or play word-association? If someone takes too long to answer or ‘can’t think’ then just make a joke of it and move on. You want to build momentum not slow it down.
3) Keep your objectives clear
Don’t just read your brief out to people. For one, they won’t necessarily understand your client’s lingo. Secondly, our job as PRs is to simplify jargon so even the bloke down the pub can understand. This applies in our own agencies too. If there’s multiple areas to cover, exhaust one objective first and then move on.
4) Painting by numbers
Make the client’s budget easy to read and see. This will encourage your team to think ‘BIG’, as well as be realistic about what activity will be possible.
5) Who am I talking to?
Everyone will be familiar with the target audience you’re trying to reach, but dig deeper. Discuss what your consumers’ personality traits are. This will remind everyone to link the idea back to who you’re aiming at.
A similar exercise can be replicated about the product or service. What is its USP?
6) Enthusiasm
If you’re not enthusiastic, your ‘brainstormers’ won’t be either. Lead by example, throw out some ideas yourself and make sure you capture everything. It takes just one word to bounce onto an ever better idea.
Give them a try and let me know how you get on.
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