If you’re like me you’re always wondering how to come up with successful ideas. It could be for a new marketing campaign, new business, an idea to just have fun with friends, and the list could go on and on.
Today’s lesson, which I’m filing under the ‘Back-to-the-Basics’ because once you read it the light bulb will go off in your head, is about coming up with successful ideas.
One of my favorite copywriting books is Making Ads Pay by John Caples. And in his book he shares an idea to come up with headlines. But, once you read it, you’ll notice it can be applied to anything! Yes, ANYTHING!
“Most successful ideas are simply a carrying futher of some previously successful idea. The proper technique is to study the failures and study the successes and discover in which direction you should travel to increase results.”
Now John goes a little further by giving an example: “If you are a bird searching for a warmer climate and you fail to find it by flying north or east or west, you should then fly south.”
BINGO!
You see, most successful ideas come from some other successful idea.
Just look at all the digital music. It all started with the radio and record players. Then 8-track tapes and cassettes. Then CDs and now most of it is digital.
Look at the drive-thru window at fast food restaurants. That idea came about because of bank drive-thrus.
So what ideas can you come up with? If you’re trying to come up with a new marketing campaign then take a look at successful marketing campaigns. Look at your competitors. Look outside your industry. Find out what works and doesn’t work and go from there.
Give it some thought and feel free to share your ideas in the comment section below! Oh, and if you’re worried about sharing your ideas and someone stealing them, then feel free to share the “basics” of your idea. haha
Now go take action!