By Nathan Bagster
There you are, staring at a blank Word document, wondering what new content idea is going to well up and blow your audience’s mind.
But nothing comes to you, soon an hour goes by, and then you’re on Facebook looking at memes.
We’ve all done it, in fact, you’re probably not human if you haven’t. Also good for you. But for those of us lowly plebians, we’re still stuck trying to generate a hit topic or idea by ourselves. And frankly, it can be difficult.
Except, that doesn’t have to be the case.
Who To Talk To
It’s quite often that we don’t think to use our greatest resource – our peers. These folks can be anyone from your mentor to the mailman, and each one could hold an insight or idea that you may never have considered.
That’s right, we’re talking about some good old-fashioned chit-chatting with a peer. Nothing gets those brain juices flowing faster than tossing thought spaghetti at another individual in a mental food fight.
And hey, maybe the person you talk to isn’t a Marketing genius, but they can still judge a brand and how it looks from the perception of a customer. That’s why finding or creating a group with which you can brainstorm is SUPER important.
But there is one caveat.
The brainstorming session HAS to be goal-oriented. It may sound fun to just sit around and chat with people, but there comes a point where that is all you’re doing and now you’ve wasted valuable time.
Staying On Track
If that isn’t something you think you’ll be able to handle without direction, then I suggest finding a Networking group that hosts Mastermind sessions.
These are essentially get-togethers of individuals, mainly small business owners, who spend an hour or so talking about a single topic. Depending on the topic, the conversations can vary, but more often than not they can be just what you need to change gears.
And while the conversation may not always be what you’re looking for, it does open you up to a number of people with a freeform mindset. These connections can be great contacts for your own personal brainstorming sessions, or to pick their noggins about their niches.
Groups Near Me
So how do you find your own personal Mastermind session?
LinkedIn is a great place to start. By following professionals in your area, you can stumble upon networking groups and opportunities you may not have found otherwise.
If you’re in the Keene, NH, area, a great Mastermind group is that of Evolution Business Development. With meetings every Wednesday, the session consists of a 30-minute presentation that then leads into a Mastermind discussion afterward.
Another great place to look is Chamber Connects. This group is held by the Greater Monadnock Collaborative and allows small business owners in the area to meet and chat.
Now, maybe you don’t need to brainstorm with people, and you are an elevated being who can pluck great ideas from the ether. And I’m jealous. But someone, somewhere, may need your perspective!
So why not broaden your horizons and find a group of folks you enjoy? Who knows, you could come up with the next great concept!