What do you do if you're a beginner looking to learn about Creative Strategy?

A creative Strategist is a thinker, someone who looks at things from a holistic view and at the same time analyses the nuances with a micro lens. Learning the tools is a good thing but first, you have to understand the need and outcome of these tools. As a strategist you are also an enabler, bringing different perspectives to the table and collectively moving forward.

The best way to learn is by offering help! When starting something new, it can be very tempting to think that you should have all the answers. However, it's important to remain open to feedback while bringing in new ideas, and being a sponge is one of the best ways to build knowledge and gain hands-on experience. Of course, it's also vital to research additional resources, such as books on strategy, social media accounts that you can follow, and brands with strategies that you admire. To create you must consume! So, as you observe, jot down your ideas in a running note, and they will come in handy in the future. This practice is also helpful when you face a creative block and trains your brain to think more creatively over time.

Go beyond definitions by actively looking for how these concepts are used in the real world. Study successful ad campaigns, dissect brand launches, or analyze social media strategies. Ask yourself: Why did they choose that messaging? How does this design speak to the target audience? Being able to identify the strategic thinking behind creative work will deepen your understanding.

Dive into resources like online courses, books, and industry blogs to grasp the fundamentals. ?? Network with professionals in the field, attend workshops, and seek mentorship opportunities. Experiment with your own projects to apply what you've learned and gain practical experience. ??

For me, understanding the basics means you have to immerse yourself in creativity and look behind the scenes of successful creative brands. What is it that they do differently, what makes them tick, and what foundations do they have that make them successful? Read books on strategy, seek a mentor who is a brand strategist, and follow top creatives on social. All of this will add to your absorption of what strategy means.

Seek out learning opportunities that expose you to industries and approaches outside your immediate sphere. Explore how other sectors tackle creative challenges – insights from the tech world might spark unexpected solutions for a higher-ed campaign, or artistic problem-solving methods could bring a fresh perspective to a business problem, for example. By embracing a wide-ranging curiosity, you'll avoid falling into predictable patterns and gain the adaptability that makes a truly innovative strategist.

Learn from the best, and find creative strategists who are smashing it, not those who say they are but aren't really. Look for those with regular testimonials and who give away their knowledge for free. If they have a mentorship programme, then it is worth investing in yourself to learn as much as you can.

Analyzing successful campaigns will help you hone your eye for what works and why. You'll start to recognize patterns in how problems are solved creatively, identify storytelling techniques that resonate, and discover how to adapt successful approaches for your own unique challenges. This kind of hands-on learning is essential for turning theoretical knowledge into actionable skills.

Ship whatever you have, ship faster. Practicing alternative categories, brands, narratives will improve your writing capabilities gradually. As it is an ongoing journey, diversified portfolio should be the main constant.

Say yes, a lot. The more life experiences you have and the more people you meet, the broader your horizons will become. Creative strategy is not what you think; it's how you think. Diversity is the root of creative thinking: by seeing how differently everyone approaches situations, you're building new neural pathways and therefore, your skills.

What you practice is just as important as how often. Make a mock brand and full identity in an industry you are totally unfamiliar with. Or a mock brand in a design system that’s way out of your comfort zone. Creatives can have the tendency to rinse and repeat what has been successful in the past, but brand strategy is a field in which this method doesn’t really work. Every brand is like a fingerprint and should be totally unique. Good strategists solve design problems, great strategists solve business problems.

I made the mistake of boxing myself in early in my career because of self-doubt. You are who you think you want to be. Embody it and get comfortable with attending events or taking meetings with new people. Be vocal about your ideas and never be afraid of taking up space.

I find industry events to be by far the best way to network ?? A few tips: Always make sure you get their business card, don't just hand out yours. You want to make sure you can get in touch, even if they don't reach out first ?? Practice your "story" ?? beforehand - who you are, what you do, and most importantly what is the most fascinating and interesting about who you are and what you do. Everyone there is going to meet a lot of people - you want to be memorable ?? Keep your story short and make it pop. Last, don't be afraid to simply walk up to people and introduce yourself. Everyone is there to meet people. But many of us are shy! Break the ice yourself. We will respond.

It has never been easier to learn a new skill, find a mentor, or gain experience online. Take advantage of LinkedIn - a free directory of people who have already achieved your goals and a detailed plan of how they got there. Talk about a career cheat code. Search for people who have your dream job. Look at their work experience - what was their trajectory? Can you reach out and ask for 15 minutes of their time? Do this with 15 potential mentors and I’ll bet you get a few yeses. Remember, people are hired through connections, not applications!

To dive into creative strategy as a beginner, start by grasping core concepts like target audience and brand messaging. Analyze successful campaigns to glean effective strategies. Familiarize yourself with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva. Stay updated on industry trends and enroll in online courses for deeper learning. Connect with experienced professionals for mentorship, and practice by creating mock campaigns. Gather feedback to refine your skills and approach.

There are several channels and podcasts which provide valuable, free content that helps beginners understand core concepts, strategies on creating good leads, and more. You'll find very good examples, book references, and educational seminars if you want to dive deeper.

YouTube university is your best friend! There are SO many lectures published by advertising giants and brilliant thinkers. Take advantage of the internet!!!