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We've all been there—staring at a blank content calendar with absolutely no idea what to post. Here’s how to break through the rut.
Social media is a hungry channel, and as a social media manager, your work is never done. Just when you’ve finished one week’s worth of content, there’s another to plan—and on and on it goes.
From time to time, coming up against creative block is to be expected—but it’s still a frustrating hurdle. Whether you’re running out of fresh ideas or just feeling stuck, here are six strategies to get your creativity flowing again.
1. Revisit your marketing strategy
When creativity runs dry, the best place to start is with the basics. Pull out your marketing strategy and refamiliarize yourself with the key elements. Who exactly is your target audience? What are their pain points? Once you’re clear on these, think of content that directly addresses these issues. Don’t worry if you’ve covered the topic before—some of your best-performing content might just need a fresh spin. Consider revisiting older posts and repackaging them with updated visuals, a new angle, or a different format to keep them relevant.
2. Tap into trends
Chiming in with a fresh spin on a trending audio or relatable meme can be a great way to make your audience smile. And since trends are ever-evolving, there's an endless well of inspiration just waiting to be used. Check out our trends blog—updated weekly—to see if there's one to suit your brand.
3. Explore content in other niches
If your current approach feels stale, try immersing yourself in a completely different niche. For instance, if you manage social media for a fashion brand, take a deep dive into content created for tech enthusiasts or wellness influencers. What are they doing that stands out? Perhaps there’s a content type that performs well in another niche that could resonate with your audience too. This kind of cross-pollination can lead to innovative ideas that set your brand apart.
4. Host a team brainstorm session
Still stuck? It's time to bring in the cavalry. Set up a structured brainstorming session with your wider team, even those outside of marketing. Everyone on your team likely has some form of social media, and their diverse feeds could offer fresh perspectives. Give your team a week or two to prepare and ask each member to bring 2-3 examples of social media content from other brands that they found inspiring. Then, discuss how similar content could be adapted for your brand.
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5. Leverage user-generated content
Sometimes the best ideas come from your audience. Take a look at how your followers are interacting with your brand on social media. Are they sharing their own content featuring your products or services? Highlighting user-generated content not only fills up your content calendar but also strengthens community ties. Create a campaign around user content or simply share their posts with credit, showing that you value your customers’ creativity and engagement.
6. Monitor competitors—and non-competitors
Keeping an eye on what your competitors are doing is standard practice, but don’t stop there. Look at brands outside your industry too—anything from large flashy tech scale-ups, to owner-operated businesses. What’s working for them? What trends are they tapping into? Sometimes, the most unexpected places can provide the best inspiration. Glance across their metrics, consider why their best-performers are doing so well, and adapt their successful tactics to fit your brand’s voice and audience.
Wrapping up
Creative block is a common challenge for social media managers, but it’s not insurmountable. By revisiting your strategy, seeking inspiration from other niches, involving your team, leveraging user-generated content, and keeping an eye on other businesses, you can overcome even the thorniest creative hurdle. Keep these strategies in your toolkit, and you’ll never find yourself staring at a blank content calendar again.