Brainstorming Content Ideas

A few days ago, I wrote about Career Brainstorming Day 2012. (Join me in Minneapolis, if you're able to!). It got me thinking about brainstorming. Specifically, brainstorming content.

I talk to a lot of resume writers who say, "I'm not sure what to write about in my blog." Or "I want to do a teleseminar, but I don't know what topic will get people interested in attending."

One of the best ways to engage readers is to be innovative.

A couple of the most common ways to generate content ideas is by reading industry publications or doing keyword research.

Those tactics are good and handy to keep in your pocket. But they can get old, too. You may begin to lose enthusiasm because you're writing about the same topics over and over again. The key to fresh, and exciting content is to come up with new content ideas that inspire you.

Here are a few new ways to brainstorm content ideas.

Word Association
Grab those top keywords, the ones that are most popular for your prospective resume clients to use, and make a list. Write one keyword or keyword phrase at the top of a blank piece of paper. Begin to let your mind wander and write down words and phrases that come to mind. Don't filter or judge any idea — even if it feels ridiculous. Write it down! Once you've filled the piece of paper, continue onto another piece of paper and a new keyword.

Don't start writing any articles. Enjoy this exercise until it feels like you've taxed your imagination. Then put the papers away. The ideas will float around in your mind throughout the rest of the day. If you are inspired to write, then sit down and write. Otherwise, pull out the papers in a day or two and grab a few ideas that feel interesting. Start writing.

Random Idea Generator
There are a few fun tools available online. One fun tool is a random word generator. You can have the tool provide a word, or two or three words, and then you use those words to create an article or blog topic. It really forces you to think outside the box and can be a fun way to brainstorm new content ideas.

Visual Representation
Eliminate words from the brainstorming process. Use a visual tool like a magazine, photo album, or a site like Pinterest to view images related to your niche. Let those images inspire topic ideas. You may want to be able to print the images to use as you're writing. Or you can cut them out if you're using magazines for inspiration.

Finding topics and ideas to write about can be a challenge for any resume writer. When it becomes a challenge, it's easy to lose focus and interest in your niche topic. Instead of continuing to use old brainstorming techniques, consider embracing a few new ones. You might be surprised how productive they are.

Morning Planning: Get Your Day Started Off Right

The morning planning session is one of the few time management techniques that just about every self-development speaker and every business coach teaches. From Anthony Robbins to Brian Tracy to David Allen, they all teach one form or another of this technique.

The first 30 minutes of your work day are the most important 30 minutes of the day. It will help shape and guide everything you do for the rest of the day. Spending just 30 minutes on planning can add many hours of productivity to your work day.

So what should you do during these 30 minutes?

Get Motivated: Remind Yourself of Your Long-Term Goal
Start by envisioning yourself having achieved a productive day. Picture yourself achieving your long-term goals for your business. Then come up with a few relevant activities for your day that will help you achieve those goals.

Scan Your Inbox
Scan your inbox for any urgent items. Anything that needs to be done today should be added to your calendar or to-do list. (This tip has some controversy -- some productivity experts recommend NOT checking your email or getting on your computer to check your inbox.)

Check Your Tasks and To-Dos
Check your task list and your to-do list. Filter it so your to-do list actually reflects what you intend to do today. Remove tasks that you're waiting on other people for; remove tasks that you can't make progress on today. When you sit down in front of your task list, you should only be looking at things you can actually take action on.

Pick Your Top Three Things to Accomplish
Choose three things you want to accomplish today. These are the three things that if you get them done today, you'll feel like your day was a success. It's fine to have many smaller tasks. But make sure you choose the three big things you'd like to get done today. Again, go back to your long-term goal. Make sure you're putting items on your task list that will help you get there.

What's Your Frog for the Day??
In his acclaimed book, "Eat That Frog," Brian Tracy talks about the benefits of tackling the most difficult thing in your day first. This helps prevent procrastination in the rest of your day and helps you get a lot more done. It also gives you a sense of success right out of the gate.

Identify your frog for the day. What's the toughest task you have to complete? What are you most likely to procrastinate about today?

Schedule In Workouts and/or Relaxation
Your schedule shouldn't be all work. At some point, you should take time to either relax or to work out. It can be at the beginning of your day, in the middle of your day or at the end, but make sure you give yourself the opportunity to recharge.

Taking the time to plan out your day early in the morning will help you manage your day better, as well as get your day started with a burst of energy. By reminding yourself why you're doing what you're doing, then tackling your frog first, you'll give yourself a powerful motivational boost that will carry you through the rest of the day.

Global Career Brainstorming Day 2012

Career Thought Leaders has opened registration for Global Career Brainstorming Day 2012!

And I'm thrilled to announce that I'm facilitating the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota) event! (I live in Omaha, Nebraska, but my favorite college hockey team -- my hometown University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks -- is playing the Gophers that weekend, so I'll be in town. Go Mavs!)

Space is limited to only 10 people, so if you're interested in joining me in the Twin Cities on Friday, Nov. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., register today! The cost is $139 and includes lunch.

Here are the details:

GLOBAL CAREER BRAINSTORMING DAY 2012
Celebrate the Now •  Discover the New  •  Pioneer the Next
Friday, November 30, 2012
11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. YOUR local time

Complete Details & Registration Information:
http://www.careerthoughtleaders.com/brain-day-2012/

Sponsorship Opportunities:
http://www.careerthoughtleaders.com/brain-day-2012/#sponsorship

Global Career Brainstorming Day — with in-person and virtual events — is a groundbreaking day of discovery as career colleagues join together to define our industry's best practices, identify emerging trends, and set new standards for performance.

Last year's Brain Day event was phenomenal, and the results provide a wealth of information about the now, the new, and the next in careers. To read last year's findings, visit:

http://www.careerthoughtleaders.com/whitepaper/.

IMPORTANT: Each event is limited to 10 people only. As such, if you're interested, you need to register ASAP.

All Brain Day events are led by a facilitator, and ideas, comments, trends, and best practices are recorded by a scribe, then aggregated with the information from all other events to create the final white paper publication. Note that each participant's name and contact information are included in the publication, so the visibility you get is vast!

Here are important details, starting with a list of cities and facilitators. If you don't see a city near you, take a look at the information below about the virtual events. We host both so that everyone who wants to participate has the opportunity.

LIVE EVENTS (4 hours)

Atlanta, GA
Daryl Blount, LDS Employment Services

Boston, MA
Jane McHale, Jane McHale Career Services

London, UK
Ruth Winden, Careers Enhanced

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (Twin Cities)
Bridget Weide Brooks, Resume Writers Digest

New York, NY
Barbara Safani, Career Solvers

San Francisco Metro
Facilitator Pending

Seattle Metro (Private Event - The Boeing Corporation)
Ruby Hill, The Boeing Corporation

If you’re interested in hosting a Brainstorming Day event in your city, we’d be delighted! Please read the website for details about how to add a city.

VIRTUAL EVENTS — Phone & Computer (3 hours)

If you're not close to one of our Brainstorming Day cities, attend a virtual event via phone or computer. They're just as much fun, intense, and rich in content as our live events! Register for these events based on the time zone you're in as they run from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. LOCAL time.

Eastern Time - Beverly Harvey, Harvey Careers
Central Time - Don Orlando, The McLean Group
Pacific Time - Susan Whitcomb, TheAcademies

For more information about Brain Day and registration details:
http://www.careerthoughtleaders.com/brain-day-2012/

I hope you'll join me in Minneapolis -- OR participate in your local city or in an online event.

Blog Action Day: The Power of We for Resume Writers

Today, Oct. 15, 2012, is Blog Action Day. This annual event (this is year five!) allows bloggers around the world to blog about a common theme. This year's theme is: The Power of We.

Of course, this topic is very relevant to professional resume writers. As a collective industry of careers industry professionals, we have immense power to shape the discussion about the job search and provide hope and inspiration to thousands of jobseekers each year.

This theme is especially relevant this week, as the last month has featured two great examples of resume writers working together -- the National Resume Writer's Association Conference in Charleston last month and the Career Directors International Conference in San Diego last week. At careers industry conferences, resume writers share strategy, tips, and best practices with their colleagues. Information is shared in sessions but also in informal networking and social get-togethers outside of presentations.

When we share information and ideas with each other, we have the power not only to improve our own skills, but the results and experiences of our clients.

When we share information and ideas with the media, we increase visibility about the resume writing profession.

And when we share information and ideas with our clients, we help them become more effective in their job search and careers.

We have a lot of power as professional resume writers — but we get the most out of this power when we share with others. On this Blog Action Day, take a moment to think about how you can use your power and share something with a colleague, a client, or the media today.