5 Ways to Fight Creative Ruts as a Content Creator

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Stash Tea for MMI Agency. All opinions are 100% mine.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Stash Tea for MMI Agency. All opinions are 100% mine.


I create content for a living. I'm in charge of creating content for hotels, restaurants and bars. I currently have 26 accounts under my umbrella at Makeready Experience, plus another four for City Love List and of course my own personal page. That is A LOT of content to drum up every single week. It's honestly tough to come up with new ways to make cocktails, dishes at restaurants, coffee shops and lifestyle images for hotels exciting, creative and unique.

I'm teaming up today with my friends at Stash Tea to talk about how I fight creative blocks as a content creator. They're actually the PERFECT partner for this blog post because their brand message is all about standing out and being vibrant in an otherwise dull category - tea! Their stance is that they know tea so well that breaking the mold is the key to their success. They don't want to be associated with those "cozy" tea photos we see all over instagram, but rather associated with high color, vibrant personalities who enjoy tea as a partner for creating a brightly colored life and career. I for sure like to think that is me in a nutshell.





Stash Tea offers over 60 flavors that all exist to brew boredom out of the world. I’ve tried the Lemon Ginger, Chai Spice, Asian Pear Harmony, Ginger Peach and Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea. My personal favorite is the Lemon Ginger flavor which give you the morning boost you need without any caffeine. I love hot lemon water, and this flavor takes that to the next level while still staying easy to drink and with bolder flavors.

So, in honor of this partnership with Stash Tea (p.s. they sell them directly on their own website HERE and use code ‘sarahmize15’ for 15% off your order) I wanted to talk about 5 tips I have for fighting content creation ruts as a blogger and social media director.


5 TIPS FOR FIGHTING CONTENT CREATION RUTS

1. GO OLD SCHOOL WITH PINTEREST

Don't sleep on Pinterest guys, it really is just the greatest platform for building mood boards and finding inspiration for specific images or campaigns you need to shoot. I constantly Pinterest search "restaurant photography" for finding new ways to shoot restaurant dishes or "cocktail photo inspo" for new ways to incorporate garnishes into pictures.

2. LEARN SOMETHING NEW

I find that learning something new gets me excited to get out there and create content. It can be a passive way of learning something new like listening to a content creator's podcast or subscribing to an email blast and having new tips + ideas delivered right to your inbox. I personally enjoy Later's daily social media management emails to get my day started in a creative way.

OR - learn something new in a much bigger way by purchasing a course you can take in your free time. I had a lot of success learning professional restaurant and food photography tips and tricks from Foodtography School . It left me PUMPED to get to work at City Hall or French Room (two of our restaurants) and start styling some images.

3. GET TOGETHER WITH A CONTENT CREATOR FRIEND FOR COFFEE (OR COCKTAILS)

After I meet with friends who do the same thing that I do for a living I feel SO INSPIRED to take on the world. I actually have a ton of friends who blog or work for themselves full time doing social media freelance. Their passion and drive excites and motivates me. Sometimes getting together for a brainstorming session to talk about what's working and what isn't is just the creative block removal you need.

Don't have friends in your area who blog? Try searching your local city's blogging hashtag - for example I look up #DallasBlogger to find fellow creatives. Slide in the DMs, I promise it isn't weird. We are all looking for friends who double as business allies.

4. SPEND THE AFTERNOON IN A NEW PLACE

Switch up your routine. If you normally work from home, find a coffee shop in a hip area of town. If you work at an office, see if you can spend the day working from home. I find that constantly switching up my environment keeps me on my toes creatively. I like to work from home on Monday, at a coffee shop Tuesday and Friday and I'll work at an office Wednesday and Thursday.

Working from home is great, but being out with different people and personalities keeps your creative juices fresh. Shoot, it's possible to draw inspiration from a cool outfit you see or how someone snaps a picture of their latte art. Take a page from Ariel and BE WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE!

5. WORK WITH A COCKTAIL AT A HOTEL BAR

This is one is LEGIT, but I know it sounds weird. I do my best writing - either caption or blog post - and graphic design work with a cocktail at a hotel bar. I already have a massive love affair with hotels, so why not bust out the laptop and enjoy a dirty martini while rolling up your creative sleeves. Unlike a normal bar, no one will look at you weird for working on your laptop because they're mostly all solo travelers.

I've designed websites, created logos, written blog posts and completed 30 day content calendars all projects that are hard for me to stay focused on during coffee hours. Plus, if you're a side hustle blogger like I am then you need an after hours work spot. Google "boutique hotels" in your area and pick a new favorite place to hang. If you're in Dallas I'd recommend The Adolphus, Joule, The W Hotel, the Stoneleigh or Hotel Crescent Court. They all have wonderful lobby bars with comfortable places to post up near a power outlet.

How do you fight a creative block? Are there any tips I missed that I should add to the list?

The Best Casino to Visit if You Live In Dallas || Grant, Oklahoma

Thank you to Choctaw Casinos for sponsoring this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own

That casino LOVE is in my DNA! Like mother, like daughter. My entire adult life I've loved to play the slot machines but it wasn't until I met Drew that he helped me learn to love (and win!) blackjack and craps. For those of you who live in Dallas, you know we of course do not have casinos in Texas. We do though have a Casino just two and a half hours away in Grant, Oklahoma though. Allow me to introduce you to your favorite Oklahoma Casino, Choctaw Casinos. 

To get to Grant, you'll just take I30 East toward Paris, Texas. Bonus, you can stop on the way and see the {Texan} Eiffel Tower. We hopped on the road right after work on Friday and were there by 8pm! Plenty of time to have a full night of dinner, table games and a few cold beers! 

They have a few different dining options at Choctaw's Grant location. They have the Firehouse Buffet (duh, you can't have a casino without a buffet option), the River Bar & Grill, the Cove Cafe for pizza and sandwiches and my personal favorite restaurant of all time Chilis! 

They also have a fabulous pool bar, The Cove Bar, which is where we headed RIGHT after arriving! They even have firepits for when it gets a bit chillier in the short winter season. Choctaw Grant's pool is absolutely stunning, a resort pool I wouldn't be surprised to see featured in Travel and Leisure! 

Their cocktail menu has the classics like a margarita and Pina colada, and all of your favorite beers! 

That night after hitting Chilis for dinner we tried our luck at Craps and I was ROLLING HOT!!!!!

One thing I want to note about the Grant location of Choctaw is that the dealers absolutely made the experience something special. Not just one dealer, every single one of them made us laugh, feel comfortable to ask questions and honestly made the experience way more fun. Our favorite was one of the Craps dealers named Tammy. Goodness gracious she was a gem - CHOCTAW - if you're reading this Tammy needs a raise. She was our favorite and just so lovely!

Ok back to me rolling hot. If you've never played Craps, while it is a somewhat complicated game, don't be afraid to try it. I just attempted to type out a bare bones version and then I was just getting too deep and Drew was very adamant I delete it. LOLS! For craps, Choctaw offers 10 times odds up to table max

 

I want to REMIND YOU that the dealers will help you. If you've never played, please don't be afraid to get in there and give it a go. CRAPS IS THE MOST FUN and you could win big if you or someone at your table go on a heater. 

It's one of those games where if someone wins, the whole table wins. One of those games where you'll hear roars of cheers from across the casino and gives you that pang of jealousy where you wish you're playing.

After a very successful first evening, we went to bed to get some shuteye. The next morning after some coffee at The Cove, we had an early lunch at The River. The River had American classics like mozzarella sticks and nachos.

After the River, we spent the entire afternoon lounging in our own private cabana at their pool. The cabana even had a TV where we could watch LIVE P.D. (someone else please tell me they're obsessed with this show?!)

Recognize a familiar face who joined us?? My girl Susie Drinks - who I went to Tulum with last year.

Post pool, you KNOW what time it was... time for more food and more casino fun. We checked out the buffet that night before some Slot play and BLACKJACK!

Every month they do so many BONUS promotions too, promotions that extend well past simply flipping 21 or punching the slot machine max play button. Participating in promotions are perks of being a Choctaw Rewards Club member! While we were there they gave away $100k over the course of the weekend, just for gambling. You just have to be a Choctaw Rewards Club member and present to win. OH and they gave away lots of other stuff at the table games like a fancy grill and those awesome Choctaw hats shown above.


Since I'm sure this post will circulate on Pinterest, be sure to check HERE for their latest promotions before you go. I'm sure they're running something EPIC.

To book your next casino getaway to GRANT OKLAHOMA - check their room rates here! What's your favorite Casino game??? Let me know in the comments below.