How to Crowdsource Ideas? #AskMeAnything

How to crowdsource ideas

How to Crowdsource Ideas? #AskMeAnything

How to crowdsource ideas

I attend a number of events over the course of a year and always arrive prepared with a slide deck ready to go, a social media-related topic in mind, or a bit of a marketing theme to focus on. However, after standing up and delivering what has been painstakingly rehearsed, hoping not to leave out any of the good bits – I ask for questions. Or more specifically – I say “Ask me anything social media and marketing-wise. You’ve got me here, what do you need to know?”

I love being put on the spot in this way! Really interesting questions always come up. We really get an opportunity to get under the skin of what our target audience is thinking when we give them the opportunity to challenge us. It’s fantastic.

I have so many ideas bubbling away for valuable guides I can write, blogs and webinar topics. I feel like I have a breath of fresh air when it comes to getting creative with my content.

But what I’m describing isn’t anything new – it’s called crowdsourcing!

So, how can you crowdsource social media content ideas for your business?

What opportunities do you have to get infront of your peers or prospects (be it in person or virtually)?

It feels like the fewer people in the room the better quality results I get – so find industry events you can attend that allow you the opportunity to access a room of like-minded individuals. Whether you take the opportunity to present – or you’re an attendee with the opportunity to engage in round table style discussions, there are always opportunities. And, it doesn’t matter how shy you are – there’s always a way for you to gain some new ideas in these situations, even if it is just by listening and noting the relevant points.

I spoke to a fellow attendee at one of the meetings I attended this week – we discussed the fact that while it was easy for me to deliver a 45-minute speaking slot that had high value, the service offering of their own business didn’t lend itself to that scenario without being a sales pitch. My response… you saw the agenda. Make sure you have questions to ask at the end of the presentations. At the round tables, someone has to be the spokesperson and feedback – it’s a job no one wants to do – so YOU do it!

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How do I get the answers I want?

But how do I get the answers to the questions I want – or even ask the right question in the first place? OK – maybe I don’t have the best answer to that. It depends on the room! However, sometimes, it might be something where you simply say you’re having a lot of conversations on <insert topic here> and the consensus seems to be <insert one possible, top-level answer here> but what do people here think? Generally, because no one likes the silence, someone will pick up on the answer you suggested and add to it, another picks up from there and before you know it – you’ve got some ideas to work with!

For virtual events, use the chat! It’s a fantastic way of getting a pulse check. Ask a question that has 1 – 3 answers. At a recruitment event this week I asked if recruiters were marketing more to candidates or clients right now, attendees answered 1. Candidates, 2. Clients or 3. 50-50. They literally just typed the number to vote. I then shouted out a couple of names and asked why that was. Trust me, someone always responds after you’ve called on them by name! You can of course arrange polls and that kind of thing but using the chat as a fellow attendee is brilliant.

So… whether you’re seeing me on your screen at a virtual meeting, hanging out in the attendee list keeping a low profile or perhaps even stood at the front of a room, feel free to put me on the spot – ask me anything marketing and let’s see where the conversation goes!

All I ask is that we keep it social!!!


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