Brainstorming is a really important part of the video process, which is why our philosophy is that we don’t just show up with a camera. You have to go in with a plan. Brainstorming is important because it helps us determine the framework, tone, and strategy for our videos. Then we’re able to move on to creating a plan.
Because you can’t start planning Effective Video Content without brainstorming, we’ve put together a few rules to make sure every brainstorm is successful.
1. Set the scene and be prepared.
Make sure your team is prepped and has at least some knowledge on the scope of the project. Describe any activities and share any critical information. You should also introduce the facilitator and explain their role. Their purpose will be to keep things moving, record ideas, and know when it’s time to move on. They’re there to nudge the team when they need it so everyone else can stay focused on keeping ideas flowing.
2. Start with a clear focus.
Having a clear statement of the problem will help keep the brainstorm from straying off topic. The best topic statements focus outward on a specific customer need or enhancement. This way you’re brainstorming how to deal with and address that issue.
3. Use a relevant ice breaker.
Ice breakers are good for acting as a reset button and setting the tone of a brainstorming session. They establish everyone as equal and get the creative ideas rolling. For example, a brainstorm about a commercial for children’s toys may involve actual toys in the icebreaker.
4. Bring ideas.
Everyone should bring at least one idea to the table. It’s easier to get everyone involved if the entire team can contribute something right off that bat. It can be a fully thought out concept, raw visual, or just a few words. Which leads us to our next rule…
5. Quantity over quality.
Yes, quantity over quality. Brainstorming is a time for throwing out ideas and getting creative thoughts flowing. Something that seems like a “bad idea” or not developed enough, can spark someone else’s mind and they might build off of it. Say it with me: There are no bad ideas in brainstorming sessions.
6. Build off of ideas and jump around.
Now isn’t the time to have control. Throw your ideas out during brainstorming, relax, and give your team free reign. Being too attached to your original idea limits its potential. Trust your team to make it better and let it play out naturally. Let the ideas build until they plateau and then the facilitator can jump in to push things in another direction.
“We go for two things in a brainstorm: fluency and flexibility . . . Fluency is a very rapid flow of ideas, so there’s never more than a moment of silence. Flexibility is approaching the same idea from different viewpoints.” – Tom Kelley, Author of “The Art of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from Ideo, America’s Leading Design Firm”
7. Record it.
Have the facilitator write down everything on something like a whiteboard or giant post-it notes. It’s also good to have audio or video to accompany any notes especially if things become scattered.
Now that you have all of these ideas, the next steps are to establish the best ones and put them into action. Think back to your objectives and goals, and try to come up with strategies that will work to implement these new ideas.
Brainstorming isn’t difficult but it requires flexibility and open minds. Be sure to establish clear goals, prepare properly, and communicate clearly. Brainstorming sessions that encourage sharing, spark creative conversations, and move along accordingly are essential to starting off your next video project on the right foot.