Clowning, Content and Creative Process

What can we learn from a clown about making inspired social media?  Maybe nothing, but I’m tempted to suggest slightly more than nothing.  You see when clowns explore they do it through creativity, empathy and vulnerability.  I’d argue the best content needs just a sprinkle of all three of those magic ingredients.  Wouldn’t you?

The creative process.

As content creators we often work under a certain amount of pressure to produce amazing work in a comically short time frame.  It’s easy to fall into bad habits and feel bored with that we are producing.  The process becomes a bit like a conveyor belt just pumping out more and more stuff.  I ask, how can we spark our creativity when we need it most?  Believe it or not, there is a creative process and it’s as unique as you are snowflake.

Empathy.

When are create content we always know what we want to say, but it’s the how we say it that’s way more important.  Empathy is a key aspect of clowning and content.  It’s sympathy in action.  It’s looking at your audience and not just seeing them but helping them.  Without this ingredient we can’t expect to connect digitally or beyond.  It’s curiosity that allows us to observe the situation closer and begin the practice of understanding another perspective.  I mean, how many viewpoints have you considered because there exists far too many to count.  So, let’s choose to examine at least a few.

Where do ideas come from?

When we were kids, we could turn a wooden spoon into a mighty sword and engage in a monumental battle against good and evil.  Until it got taken away to finish making dinner.  Being at play is where ideas live.  Allowing yourself to be free of function and explore things with a non-judgemental lens is where your mind begins to invent.  In clowning there is an innate sense of curiosity and whimsy.  Allowing ourselves to freely experience emotions is a powerful and productive tool when developing ideas.  Remember, there is no spoon.

Being vulnerable.

​We live in a world that requires protection.  It’s difficult for us as individuals and as businesses to put ourselves out there genuinely.  So how are we able to be vulnerable, sounds impossible right?  Well it requires a safe space, room to breathe and flourish.  Finding this place is key to allowing yourself to open up and access the good stuff.  This is where you can begin to truly develop the foundations of the most meaningful and connected concepts.  Once you are able to unearth these gems, you can begin the process of polishing and preparing them for an audience.  

To create is to make something that has never existed before. There’s nothing more vulnerable than that. -Brene Brown

Author

Tyler Babiy is the owner and creative director of T Squared Social where he works with multiple local businesses to create social media content.  With a formal education in fine arts and fashion design, he is also the driving force behind Social Made Local, a socially responsible apparel brand.  When he is not working he can be found at the dog park, binge watching Netflix or enjoying a craft beer with friends at a local brewery.