Free your mundane content with these 8 weird sources of inspiration
Is your storytelling feeling a little samey? Tim King knows a thing or two about finding inspiration, and shares with you eight fonts of unconventional knowledge.
by Tim King
by Tim King
Okay people, I’ve got a bone to pick…
You’ve been recycling tired old content for far too long. We’ve all been there — running low on ideas, staring into the abyss, Googling wildly with abandon.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read, listened to, or watched the same carbon-copy content in the past few years.
If you want to stand out and go viral, you need to cast off the mundane, venture into the unknown, and cosy up to the truly peculiar. I’m talking about finding inspiration in unexpected, weird, and sometimes downright wacky places.
Inspiration is everywhere. You just need to know where to find it.
We'll cover:
Why bother?
Why bother?
Before I dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird ways you can gain inspiration, let’s address the elephant in the room. Why should you care about unconventional sources of inspiration? Simple. Because everyone and their dog is already mining the same data, reading the same blogs, following the same influencers, and generally suckling at the same dried-up old teat full of boring ideas.
Gah, just writing that sentence was boring. Imagine what your content will be like!
To really cut through the noise and create something different and unique, you need a fresh perspective. Unusual sources of inspiration can lead you to novel ideas, quirky thoughts, and unexpected angles, resulting in engaging content that captivates your audience.
Exploring offbeat avenues offers unexpected, new ways of looking at things, and helps you develop content that feels real, entertains, resonates on a personal level, and brings a touch of humanity to your work.
It captivates your audience and fosters a deeper connection, making your content memorable and impactful.
Ok, let’s not hang around any longer — on to the good stuff.
Eavesdrop on the everyday
Eavesdrop on the everyday
Ever sat on a bus or a train and just listened to the conversations happening around you? Public transport is a goldmine for content inspiration.
All those chat snippets you overhear can spark a plethora of ideas for your content. You’re tapping the lives of others, right into the zeitgeist.
Whether it’s a heated debate about the best pizza topping or someone’s wild weekend story, these unfiltered exchanges offer a raw and authentic glimpse into human nature.
People are surprisingly open when they think no one else is listening, and the diversity of topics can provide a refreshing change from the echo chamber of your usual sources.
Maybe you’ll overhear someone discussing a niche hobby or a unique problem they’re facing. The unpolished nature of these conversations brings a level of authenticity that’s seriously hard to find elsewhere.
Bring a notepad if you need to, and get listening.
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Raid your hoard
Raid your hoard
We all have that drawer we refuse to open or a closet filled with random items we’ve collected over the years. It’s time to dig into your hoard and find some inspiration.
These forgotten treasures spark memories, stories, and ideas that you can easily weave into your content.
Not only is it a great way to declutter your house, but it allows you to reconnect to your past memories. Each item you come across has a unique story. Where did you get it, who gave it to you, when, where… why?
Those stories add depth and personality to your content and sharing these personal anecdotes makes your content more relatable and engaging, helping you connect with your audience on a deeper level.
So stop avoiding all those boxes piling up in your garage, channel Marie Kondo, and start uncovering that treasure trove of content gold.
Vintage ads
Vintage ads
There’s something endlessly fascinating about old advertisements. They are a treasure trove of inspiration.
They’re time capsules, reflecting the aesthetics of the era. But looking at them can give you a fresh perspective. Not only do they offer a glimpse into the past, showcasing how products were marketed and what values were emphasised, but they also remind us that while the world keeps evolving, the art of persuasion remains a constant.
Using old ads as inspiration, you can create content that’s nostalgic, educational, and entertaining. They show us that sometimes, the old ways can teach us new tricks.
And they’re sometimes some of the most hilarious things you’ll ever read.
The humble wisdom of fortune cookies
The humble wisdom of fortune cookies
Never underestimate the power of simple fortune cookie wisdom.
We’ve all been there. Excited to bust open that biscuity interior in the hopes to find the answers to all our problems, and receive something strange for our efforts.
But those little random slips of paper can contain surprisingly profound insights.
Sure, they’re usually vague and hilariously cheesy, but that’s part of the charm. The unpredictable nature of fortune cookie wisdom can inspire you to think more clearly and help you distil ideas into bite-sized content that’s easy to digest.
The playful and sometimes cryptic nature of fortune cookie wisdom can add a whimsical touch to your content, making it even more engaging and memorable for your audience.
Dating apps
Dating apps
Are you single? On a few dating apps? Then you already have a pocket full of near-limitless content ideas. Swiping through random profiles on dating apps, you’ll encounter a fascinating array of personalities and life stories.
From the overconfident to the genuinely warm, and the truly outrageous, dating profiles provide a tongue-in-cheek snapshot of modern culture.
Reading through random profiles helps you understand what people are looking for, how they present themselves, what trends are emerging, new forms of language, quirky quotes and thoughts, and a whole lot more.
Just be careful not to swipe the wrong way in the process!
Amazon reviews
Amazon reviews
If you’ve never fallen down the rabbit hole of Amazon product reviews, you’re seriously missing out. Some are pure comedic gold.
People get creative. Hell, some people get downright weird with them, often turning mundane product experiences into memorable stories. These reviews not only entertain but also provide valuable insights into consumer behaviour and expectations.
Reading through crazy, oddball reviews can inspire you to inject a lot personality into your content. They show how a well-told story, even about something as trivial as a banana slicer, can captivate an audience.
The unique perspectives and quirky details in these reviews helps spark new ideas for your own content.
Weird online products
Weird online products
We’ve all visited Amazon and AliExpress, but have you really looked at the spectacularly bizarre items you can buy?
Trust me, there are some incredibly weird products to spend your cash on out there.
Ever wanted a blanket that looks like a tortilla wrap? Or a set of attractive wigs for your dog? What about a fried chicken leg keyring or an inflatable unicorn horn for your cat?
Your answer might be 'No, no I haven’t.'
Seriously, if you can think of it, it probably already exists, and you can most likely spend your hard-earned money on it. But using these as jumping-off points can result in injecting a whole lot of fun and engagement for your audience.
And hey, you might even score some affiliate income along the way too.
Get weird with it
The truth is, if you want your content to shine brighter than a disco ball, you’ve got to embrace the sublimely weird. It’s where the magic happens, after all.
So, the next time you’re searching for that killer content idea, don’t just stick to the beaten path; step outside your comfort zone and dive into a few unconventional sources.
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