You're stuck in a writing rut with brand restrictions. How do you unleash your creativity?

As always, I'll talk authentic here too: So, whenever I have felt like brand restrictions are a creative straightjacket to me or my creative content team, simply and firstly, I break free by exploring unconventional angles and experimenting with different formats. I dive into brainstorming sessions, use prompts to ignite fresh ideas, and take strategic breaks to refresh my perspective. So, it’s all about transforming limits into a canvas for innovative expression.

What limits to embrace and what not to. As much as external factors assist in my creativity, internal factors play an equally significant role. I realised that I tend not to mentally categorise what I am exposed to under labels. An example, a snippet from my favourite anime episode will not be remembered as a series of moving pictures but just the way I saw it. Since there is no label put on it, it comes to my rescue whenever my brain is seeking something relatable. The colours or angles could help me when I want to photograph or sketch something. The dialogues or lyrics could let me explore when I am writing or brainstorming and so on. This may have its own pros and cons but this idea of mine is now yours to alter, improvise and use for!

1) Deep dive into the brand: Understand its core values, history, and target audience. 2) Explore different perspectives: See the brand through the customer's eyes or as the product itself. 3) Play with language and style: Experiment with different tones, word choices, and visual elements. 4) Free-form brainstorming: Generate ideas without limitations initially, then refine within the brand guidelines. 5) Collaborate and seek inspiration: Work with others, analyze competitors, and gather customer feedback. 6) Lastly, take a break: Step away from the project to refresh your mind and return with new perspectives. 7) Bonus tip: Continuous learning: Stay updated on industry trends and explore new creative techniques.

Research the Brand and let your creative thinking flow. Time restrictions are the worst. But there are many way to get great ideas in a short amount of time. Like, sounds or images, even quiet times to think clearly can generate a creative idea for marking a brand.

I once heard an interview with Mike Rowe (the dirty jobs guy) and he has witnessed a lot of satisfied people in what would otherwise be unsatisfactory jobs. He said what he learned from them is while it's great to do what you're passionate about, it's even more important to bring that passion to whatever you do. Find a specific aspect of your work to get excited about and narrow in on that. I found that this works for everything from schoolwork to jobs. Hate math? Find the story behind the numbers and focus on that. One thing that in restrictive jobs I found a breath of fresh air is research, something that is conventionally "boring," following where your curiosity takes you to make interesting content driven by what you learned.

I've found that expanding my inspiration pool—exploring different industries, genres, and media—can spark fresh ideas within any framework. By drawing on a broader spectrum of influences, you can infuse creativity into your work while adhering to brand guidelines. This approach not only enhances your content but also keeps your writing vibrant and engaging.

Need a quick tip for copywriter’s block? Switch up your environment. When you stay stuck in the same physical space for an extended period of time, your thought process often flows in the same direction, leading you to the same conclusions. Shake up your routine by sitting in a different room of your house or office. If your space is restrictive, invest in baubles that stoke inspiration. Focus on one element, such as your chair, laptop, desk, or writing materials, and replace it with something new. These changes may seem arbitrary, but they impact how you view your workspace. Turn it from your mental penitentiary into your creative playground. That rut won’t know what hit him.

Reframing the challenge as an opportunity to improve is a good approach. But that doesn’t always motivate. What tends to work for me is to find what does interest me about the subject matter. Find some nuance, some angle that is interesting. You don’t even have to incorporate that part into the piece if it doesn’t fit with the direction. You can simply use it as tinder for the inner fire, or a nearby springboard from which to propel yourself into the assignment. Alternatively, you can back way up and take a broader perspective. Such as, what is this paper trying to achieve? Who will this help? Sometimes simply reminding yourself that, ultimately, this will help people do X is enough to jumpstart dormant creativity and drive.