--- title: "Social Media Roundup: Stirring Your Creativity" id: "22907" type: "post" slug: "social-media-roundup-stirring-your-creativity" published_at: "2014-04-30T22:11:44+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T04:01:33+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/04/30/social-media-roundup-stirring-your-creativity/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/04/30/social-media-roundup-stirring-your-creativity.md" excerpt: "How do you induce creativity when your back is against the wall? Plus: Expand your educational offerings by borrowing strategies from corporate training departments." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "E-learning" - "Employee Training" - "Professional Development" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Social Media Roundup: Stirring Your Creativity What should you do when you’ve exhausted all of your possible blog topics, you’re way ahead on your editorial calendar, and you’re experiencing writer’s block? Some may say those circumstances are prime time for a meltdown, but others suggest you take a step back and re-evaluate your content and creativity. How to find inspiration in the most unexpected places, and more, in today’s Social Media Roundup: ### Cue Creativity > Inspire me! How to Stimulate Fresh Thinking at Your Events [http://t.co/k1bqgMtnzd (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/k1bqgMtnzd) > via [@EventMB (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/eventmb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#eventprofs (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/eventprofs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#mpi (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/mpi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Ray Hansen (@rayhansen) [April 30, 2014 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/rayhansen/status/461522110431498240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Brain boosters:** Stuck in a content-creation rut? Before throwing up your hands, look for inspiration in places you’ve never thought to explore and consider ditching your traditional writing routine. *Event Manager Blog*‘s Cathy Key explains that [creating stories from the same tired sources (opens in a new tab)](http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/stimulate-creativity) doesn’t help creative types generate new thoughts or ideas. Although most writers find inspiration on social media, in their RSS reader, or in their constantly filling inbox, other sources—such as books, blogs, coworkers, family, friends, and events—can generate new ideas. Your next small meeting or huge conference can stir your creative juices by simply allowing you to network with interesting people who have awesome stories to tell. If you can’t travel, a change of local scenery could help, too: Maybe hit a new coffee shop tomorrow. *(ht @[rayhansen (opens in a new tab)](http://twitter.com/rayhansen) )* ### “The Learning Centers of the Future” https://twitter.com/SarahLugo/status/461506445557510144 **Associations focus heavily** on creating effective educational opportunities, but they’re far from alone: Corporate training departments also have a foothold in this market. Can you borrow anything from them? Jack McGrath, president and creative director of Digitec Interactive, [gives nonprofit professionals a peek (opens in a new tab)](http://www.knowledgedirectweb.com/top-5-associations-learn-corporate-training-departments/) at the strategies that corporations use to train their employees. There’s plenty to learn, he notes: While large organizations are creating corporate universities to enhance their employees’ skills and provide professional development for their workers, associations are missing out on expanding their learning benefits. McGrath explains how nonprofit professionals can incorporate five big-business training components into their educational offerings. From having subject-matter experts on hand for regularly scheduled check-ins to establishing communities of practice at conferences, associations can lead their members toward more advanced careers. “Corporate training departments are good at leveraging resources,” McGrath writes. “By designing learning objects that have the ability to be shared across courses, or across audiences, you can maximize the benefit and expense of designing learning programs.” *(ht [@SarahLugo (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/digitec) )* (iStock/Thinkstock) [Alexis Williams](https://associationsnow.com/author/alexis-williams/) Alexis Williams & Alexis Davis are contributors to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/alexis-williams/) [Alexis Davis](https://associationsnow.com/author/alexis-davis/) Alexis Davis is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/alexis-davis/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#E-learning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/e-learning/) [#Employee Training](https://associationsnow.com/tag/employee-training/) [#Professional Development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/professional-development/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoWelcome to ASAE AcademyMarch 19, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/19/welcome-to-asae-academy/) - [ArticleHow to Plan, Execute, and Evaluate Informal Learning Programs for AssociationsJuly 14, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/07/14/how-to-plan-execute-and-evaluate-informal-learning-programs-for-associations/) - [ArticleThe Role of Associations in Professional Development: Part OneNovember 22, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/11/22/the-role-of-associations-in-professional-development-part-one/) - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2014%2F04%2F30%2Fsocial-media-roundup-stirring-your-creativity%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !