How to brainstorm ideas? Coming up with ideas when you’re in need of them can be tough, but What are some ideas for brainstorming there are ways to think up good solutions to problems that will come in handy when you’re starting your own business or even just working on the next big project at work. Here are some tips to consider when brainstorming ideas, no matter what your situation may be.
What are some ideas for brainstorming
List out your hobbies
Brainstorm ideas by listing out your hobbies and interests. Are you a sports fan? How about gardening or cooking? What hobbies do you have that could lend themselves to a business idea? For example, if you enjoy reading, perhaps you’d like to start an online book club. If you love music, why not plan events around live shows or record company meetings where music is played in-store.
Perhaps you’re interested in travel and want to write reviews of hotels and restaurants on your website. Think creatively! Even seemingly mundane things can be turned into something fun and interesting—if you put a unique spin on it. When brainstorming ideas, consider what excites you personally; there’s no sense trying to make money off of something that doesn’t interest you personally. However, if something does excite you, it will show through when marketing your idea as well as when developing it!
Take an idea from another industry
A great way to think of new business ideas is to look at other industries. What’s a popular product in one industry that doesn’t exist in yours? Are there any problems with current products or methods? Brainstorm ways you can solve those problems by offering a new type of product or service. For example, if you work in retail, maybe your customers would love it if they could order online and pick up their purchases in-store. If you work in manufacturing, maybe your customers would love it if they could monitor their production line from home.
The possibilities are endless! And when you find an idea that sounds promising, start researching similar businesses—you might even be able to steal some valuable info from their websites. This is also a good place to try out business-ideation techniques like mind mapping or rapid prototyping (i.e., writing down every possible way your product could help people). This will give you lots of different options for how your business might make money—which means more opportunities for success. Plus, it will force you to really consider what makes sense as a business idea instead of just going with something because it sounds cool.
Get inspired by something you read or saw recently
If you’re feeling stumped, try giving yourself time to come up with an idea by taking a break and doing something unrelated. Grab a cup of coffee or a sandwich and catch up on emails or social media. Read through a few news stories. Watch TV, even if it’s just to help you wind down so you can focus better later on. A fresh perspective can lead to inspiration—and that new perspective might just be where your next great idea is hiding!
Brainstorming alone in a room can feel awkward at first, but once you get going, things will start to flow more naturally. It’s also worth noting that many creative types swear by keeping a journal (or notebook) as they go about their day. Sometimes they write detailed descriptions of what they see; other times they jot down words or phrases as they come to mind.
Brainstorm alongside someone else
Brainstorming isn’t just something that happens in your head, sitting alone and staring at a blank sheet of paper. It’s also not something you do over email or text with a colleague or coworker. Brainstorming means coming together physically with your team to let off steam and discuss how you can help each other solve problems, come up with new insights, and all-around foster creativity.
After all, we were born to be around others—why should creating be any different? If you don’t have a teammate you can work with face-to-face on a regular basis, get creative about finding others who share your interests (even if they live far away). Google Hangouts can connect creatives from across town or across oceans! So, how can you make face-to-face brainstorming sessions successful?
Be sure to pick a spot where everyone is able to sit comfortably and you have easy access to things like whiteboards, sticky notes, markers, and other supplies. It’s helpful if one person acts as a sort of timekeeper so that no one runs over in their allotted time or feels rushed to contribute. Use brainwriting, where each person writes down their best idea without worrying about being judged; mix those up together and then share them with the team before discussing or voting on which ideas deserve more attention.
Go out and find inspiration in everyday life
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, try leaving your desk and exploring your city. Fresh air and new sights can stimulate creativity by triggering your brain to make more connections between different thoughts. Many entrepreneurs will go for a walk in their own neighborhood, but if that doesn’t work for you, visit somewhere new and then think about how it could be relevant to what you do. Try thinking outside of your comfort zone—head downtown when it’s rush hour on a weekday or hike along a local nature trail.
The unfamiliarity of it all might just spark an idea you otherwise wouldn’t have had. If you’re looking to come up with product concepts, get out of your home or office and find inspiration in everyday life. Go to an art gallery and start thinking about ways to apply your concept to a digital audience. Or visit an industry conference—these events often feature case studies that can give you unique insight into how people use products in different ways.
Use your favorite apps to get new ideas
There’s nothing better than fresh air and a great big whiteboard, but why get up and walk to your office or home when you can take advantage of today’s technology? There are thousands of apps that promise to help you come up with new ideas. Brainstorming on paper might be old school, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t productive. Handwriting your ideas can trigger neural connections differently, making your brain more creative. There are all kinds of reasons why going analog is better, but if it means being more productive in less time – and using fewer supplies – go ahead and use an app!
