Super easy inspiration: Browse the magazine stand
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Here’s a simple but effective idea for bloggers, writers and any creative people looking for inspiration:
1. Pick a notebook and a pen.
I carry one of both with me all the time so that whenever I have a new idea I can act on it right away and never have to worry about forgetting my ideas again. But if you don’t want to get into that habit, that’s OK: just take a piece of paper and a pen with you this time and we can move on.
2. Go to a local bookstore, supermarket or news stand.
Any place with lots of different magazines is great. I just did this yesterday by visiting the nearest super market on my way back home from work. It didn’t have quite as many magazines as a bookstore would have had, but enough to get my inspiration flowing.
3. Look at magazine covers and write down any of the titles that sound interesting to you.
Don’t be too selective.
If a title sounds fun and makes you want to read more, write it down.
Funnily enough I have noticed that girly magazines such as Cosmopolitan have some of the best headlines while Science magazines can be a bit boring. Just get a good mix of everything that pleases you and you’ll see how much fun it can be.
Yesterday I collected the following list:
- Who is the most powerful man in sports? (It’s not who you think)
- The 7 habits of highly successful suck-ups
- 18 ways to re-invent the game you love
- The secret of Red Bull
- 39 summer gadgets
- When to trust your gut. Or not.
- 1074 summer hits
- Ready for autumn
- Super easy make up + win the ideal kit
- Could your blog cost your job
There are some list topics like “The 7 habits of highly successful suck-ups”, some seasonal topics such as “Ready for autumn” and even some promotions like “Super easy make up + win the ideal kit”.
4. Be inspired.
Don’t copy. That’s just boring.
Instead, look at the headlines and let them inspire you. You might get an idea for a great headline. But it can just as well be an idea for a great topic to write about, or a successful software product you will build in the next few weeks. You can even use them as your e-mail headers!
And remember that you don’t have to use all the material you find. Just take the gems and ignore most of it. You can do the exercise again at any time - and it doesn’t cost you anything.
5. Try it
What do you think? Does this make sense?
Maybe you have tried it already?
If you haven’t, go ahead and give it a shot. It would be great to hear what headlines appeal the most to you, so feel free to add your own list in the comments section.
May the inspiration be with you!
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August 8th, 2007 at 10:48 am
I find this concept interesting. The headlines in magazine covers need to be more thorughly thought than internet article headlines, because they need to get people to actually buy the magazine, not just click a link.
I suggest to take notes about the images too. I bet the inspirational results would be totally different if the cover images presented another viewpoint.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Hey C2162! That would be a great idea too. I think I’ll try that on my next exploration trip to the local mall :)
Too bad they don’t allow cameras in there because it would be much easier to take notes as pictures than by trying to explain what the image has in it…
August 11th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I like this idea. I tried it today and here is what I came up with:
1. Take action - 5 steps to living the life you want
2. Save Time - Make ahead dinners
3. Learn new camera and software skills for great images
4. Texas off the beaten path
5. How we’ll live in space
6. Meet the iClone
7. Stop ID thieves - 19 ways to protect yourself online
8.Where to live now - 30 Best Towns in America
My next step is to weed this list down to what I “really” want to learn. Thanks for the idea.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Hey Rhonda!
That’s a great list. I sure would like to read the article on “how we’ll leave in space” :)
Thanks for sharing!