The 101 on Ideation for Entrepreneurs in South Africa
In the digital age where everyone is vying for attention, your story must stand out to justify that inviting click. Is it worth it? Absolutely, provided you embed the essence of ideation into your marketing strategy. This process is instrumental in navigating the five P’s of Marketing: Product, Price, People, Place, and Promotion. Ideation isn’t just a creative exercise; it’s your strategic weapon in the battle for market position amidst information overload, repetitive strategies, aggressive ads, gimmicky shares, and the same outdated approaches.
Why Do Marketers Need Ideation?
You need ideation because it fuels the journey from the ordinary to the extraordinary. In a world teeming with content, fighting for a unique position is a challenge. Ideation is about originality and relevance; it’s about crafting messages and strategies that resonate on a personal level with your audience. It helps to stay ahead of the curve, avoiding what worked in the past to create new, engaging experiences.
When Do Marketers Need Ideation?
Ideation is an ongoing process, a necessity at each crossroad of your marketing decision-making process. Whether you’re launching a new product, devising pricing strategies, attracting the right people, choosing the right place, or innovating on promotion – you need fresh ideas to keep afloat.
Ideation Techniques for Marketers
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- MindMap for Marketing Magnitude
MindMapping is the brainstorming session of the digital age. Begin with your central concept, say “Innovative Promotion”, and branch out into every possible direction. Think about demographics, psychographics, channels, and content types. Branch further into tactical plays – interactive ads, influencer collaborations, virtual events. Let the map sprawl into a universe of possibilities.
- MindMap for Marketing Magnitude
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- The Famous 50
In the Famous 50, push yourself to list fifty ways to market a single product or aspect of your business. The first 15 may be easy, but it’s after 30 that brilliance often strikes. This is not about filtering; it’s about exploring the pantheon of potential, and in that expanse, discovering the golden ideas that gleam with promise.
- The Famous 50
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- Edward De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats
De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats is a pivotal exercise in perspective. Each hat represents a different approach: analytical, creative, emotional, negative, positive, and control. You ponder your marketing plan from all these angles, ensuring a holistic strategy is formed. In practice, wear each ‘hat’ and discuss or reflect upon your marketing elements through that lens.
- Edward De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats
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- Disney Model (NLP)
The Disney Creativity Strategy, born from the Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) methodology, separates the ideation process into three distinct roles: the Dreamer, the Realist, and the Critic. It ensures an idea is not just imaginative but also grounded and vetted for weaknesses.
- Disney Model (NLP)
Stepping into Ideation for Entrepreneurs
Align these techniques with your strategic marketing plan. Contextualize your ideation within your specific marketing goals and target market to ensure relevance and impact.
With dedication and these tools, you can carve a niche for your business. Remember, experienced professionals like yourself have the insight and aptitude to reinvent and revolutionize – ideation is merely the spark to your existing expertise. Start clicking those gears into place, your story is indeed worth the click, now make it irresistible.
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Complete the form below if you are keen to join us for a practical workshop on how to exponentially increase your creativity!
PS: You don’t have to be an entrepreneur in the digital marketing industry to join us. This Ideation Workshop will assist anyone in need of creative writing inspiration … whether you are a stay-at-home-mom, a solopreneur or even a very busy corporate climber!
