I really enjoy using creativity tools so I decided to use a tool called S.C.A.M.P.E.R to create some new ideas for my blog. The acronym S.C.A.M.P.E.R stands for substitute, combine, adapt, modify, put to another use, and rearrange. Basically, this tool is a checklist of idea-spurring questions. S.C.A.M.P.E.R was made popular in the book Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko.

Here is how I used it -

I started out by asking myself the following question:

“In what ways might I improve my blog?”

Using this question as the start point I set off to use S.C.A.M.P.E.R to generate new ideas.

Substitute

What content or style can I substitute on my blog?

·  Start an online diary

·  Convert it to a news site

·  Make it a gossip site

·  Convert it to a video blogging site

·  Convert it to an audio blogging site

·  Provide video news casts

·  Provide opinions on topics of the day

·  Promote the latest headlines in the news

·  Start an online magazine

·  Convert it into a social networking site

·  Provide provocative content

Combine

What ideas can I combine with blogging to improve the blog?

·  Combine current news with future predictions

·  Make the blog a combined free/membership site

·  Focus the blog on helping to improve the plight of people around the world

·  Discuss current events

·  Discuss political and business leaders from around the world

Adapt

What ideas can I adapt to improve my blog?

·  Add RSS feeds

·  Find out how to put a feed out through Google

·  Add lots of pictures

·  Get others involved in promoting my blog

·  Get others involved in providing content for my blog

·  Utilize Google advertising tools to make money

Modify

What can I modify to improve my blog?

·  Change the color scheme

·  Add lots of pictures

·  Add lots of links

·  Ask other website owners to link to my blog

·  Sell information products from my blog

Put to another use

How can I put my blog to another use?

·  Use blog to help me write my book

·  Use blog to tell stories

·  Use blog to present my ideas

·  Use blog to display my work

·  Use blog to outline my goals, dreams, and progress towards my goals

Eliminate

How can I improve my blog by eliminating something?

·  Eliminate bland color scheme

·  Eliminate unnecessary updates

Rearrange.

How can I improve my blog by rearranging it?

3 columns

·  Links on left

·  Content/updates in center

·  Links on right

2 columns

·  Pictures on left

·  Content/updates on right

I hope this helps you to see how you can use creativity tools to help you improve anything you can think of. You may also see an idea or two that you can use on your own blog - have at it!

Vernon Myers is the founder of Student of Ideas.com - A website dedicated to exploring ideas and creativity. Visit this site to receive the Idea Tips newsletter - a weekly email that helps you to become a better idea generator.

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