Stuck getting started on a story? We get it! Sometimes in public relations or PR, finding the right angle or a spark of inspiration can feel like a challenge - but after nine years in the business and countless years of PR and comms experience between us, our MediaCast team has gathered some go-to tips to help you get those creative juices flowing. Here are our top strategies to kick-start your storytelling!
1. Dive into new research insights
Reports and data might not seem thrilling at first glance, but exploring industry-specific insights can make all the difference in connecting with your audience. Tapping into fresh research can help you uncover new angles, back up your ideas with solid facts, and gain a clearer view of industry trends - all of which can fuel creativity and add depth to your storytelling. Data can also help you find a problem to solve which is a great way to position your brand, product or launch … as the solution to an issue, proven by data.
To get started, we recommend these trusted research portals for valuable insights and data:
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: A great source for population and health-related insights. Make sure you sign up for their email newsletters, so you are the first to get access to new reports.
- IBISWorld: Trusted industry research across thousands of sectors, providing detailed reports on companies and industries.
- Roy Morgan: Australia’s longest-established market research firm, offering insights across various industries, allowing you to filter and find key data on your target audience.
Bonus tip! Don’t overlook the data you have at your fingertips within your own organisation. Analyse your enquiries or web traffic to identify trends or peaks. If you’ve noticed a huge spike in people seeking support or help, use your own data to quantify this!
2. Utilise social listening tools
Mastering social listening tools can give you a major edge in crafting stories and creating engaging content. Social listening involves tracking mentions of your brand, specific keywords, topics, competitors, or industries, and analysing these conversations to uncover insights and potential opportunities.
For example, if you’re writing a story in the beauty industry, tools like Google Trends and Google Alerts can help you discover trending topics and popular search terms. This insight into what people are talking and reading about can guide you in choosing relevant angles that resonate with your audience.
3. Find inspiration in everyday moments
Sometimes, the best ideas come at the most unexpected times - during conversations, while people-watching, or even on a grocery run! Inspiration can strike anywhere, so keep your phone or a notepad handy to capture those spontaneous thoughts. Don’t hesitate to bring a fresh perspective into your story, even if it’s inspired by a simple moment in your daily routine.
4. Just start!
Sometimes the best way to overcome writer’s block is to just start writing. Set yourself a 10 minute timer and write without worrying about the headline, intro or general structure – just let your ideas, thoughts, themes and messages flow onto the page. Often this ‘brain dump’ can help us get most of the elements we need onto the page, and the next step is simply to go back, edit and reorder the content. Try not to feel as though you need to start from the beginning to craft the perfect story, start with the part that excites you most and then you work your way back to the intro and headline.
These are just a few of our top tips to help find inspiration and put that metaphorical pen to paper for your next PR story. That said, we know creating a compelling story isn’t always easy. If you’re looking for support to make your PR simple and more effective, give us a call at 07 3160 3370! At MediaCast, we work closely with founders, CEOs, communications teams, and other PR agencies to create impactful campaigns that make a difference.