Developing engaging social or email campaigns hinges on effectively organizing the myriad references and ideas you encounter daily. Whether it’s an inspiring direct mail piece or a billboard with a compelling call to action, inspiration is omnipresent.
Often, the most enlightening ‘a-ha’ moments arise unexpectedly. In this post, I’ll share tips to streamline your creative process by efficiently managing and organizing these insights, ultimately aiding in crafting captivating email campaigns.
Why Collect References?
It may seem straightforward, but the importance of collecting references is often overlooked. Many professionals lack a structured process for gathering inspiration, underestimating the value of their daily creative sparks.
Our brains aren’t designed to memorize everything; instead, they excel in generating ideas from our experiences. As a visual learner, I find recalling ideas through images more effective than mere notes. Remember the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? It’s cliché but apt. By amassing and periodically reviewing a reference collection, you’ll sharpen your perception and support your campaign creation efforts.
Capturing Insights Effectively
After experimenting with various apps, I’ve settled on Google Photos for its simplicity and integration into daily routines.
With the ubiquity of smartphones, taking photos has become second nature. Why not consolidate all references in one place? While apps like Evernote and Dropbox work well for many, I prefer the streamlined approach of a single platform.
Organize your references into categories, such as signup forms, email templates, calls to action, and headlines. I also recommend creating client-specific folders, which is incredibly helpful for tailoring your inspirations to each project.
Time-Saving Tips with Google Photos
Daily snapshots can quickly accumulate into a daunting collection to organize. Google’s algorithm, while advanced in facial recognition, falls short in categorizing campaign inspirations. A useful hack I’ve discovered is using the archiving feature in Google Photos. After sorting photos into desired folders, simply archive them. This doesn’t delete the images but removes them from your main photo section, streamlining your organizational process.
Organizing Google Photos for a Diverse Clientele
When juggling inspirations for a wide range of clients, organization is key. Start by creating a master folder titled “Campaign Inspirations.” Within this, establish individual subfolders for each client, labeled clearly with the client’s name or project code. This client-specific approach allows for quick retrieval of relevant inspirations when brainstorming for a particular campaign.
Additionally, consider thematic subfolders within each client’s folder – such as “Color Schemes,” “Typography,” “Page layouts” or “Call-to-Action.” This thematic breakdown further streamlines your search, especially when you’re looking for specific types of inspiration.
For a more robust system, use tags or labels within Google Photos to mark photos with key themes or ideas, enabling you to cross-reference inspirations across different clients. Periodic reviews and reorganization of these folders ensure they remain up-to-date and reflective of ongoing projects and emerging trends. This systematic approach not only saves time but also enhances your ability to serve a diverse array of clients with tailored, innovative campaign ideas.
Next Steps
Harness these tips to enhance your creative workflow. Remember, great campaigns are born from well-organized inspirations!
