Struggling to spark creative discussions in your content marketing community? Hypothetical scenarios are a fun and effective way to get members thinking outside the box. Use these ready-made templates to ignite fresh conversations and encourage member participation.
Get personalized templates for your community in seconds
Hypothetical scenarios tap into the natural curiosity and creativity of community members. By presenting 'what if' situations, you invite people to share their unique perspectives and explore new ideas without the pressure of right or wrong answers. This open-ended approach is especially powerful in content marketing, where innovation and fresh thinking are highly valued.
Such scenarios lower the barrier to entry, making it easier for members of all experience levels to join the conversation. Whether the prompt is playful or serious, it encourages members to imagine possibilities, reflect on their strategies, and learn from each other's responses. As a result, engagement increases and the community feels more dynamic and collaborative.
If you could have dinner with any content marketing expert, living or not, who would you pick and why?
💡 Example: "If you could have dinner with any content marketing expert, living or not, who would you pick and why? Share below!"
Imagine your content suddenly went viral overnight. What would be your first move?
💡 Example: "Imagine your content suddenly went viral overnight. What would be your first move? Let us know in the comments."
What if you could only use one content format for a year - blog, video, or podcast - which would you choose?
💡 Example: "What if you could only use one content format for a year - blog, video, or podcast - which would you choose?"
Suppose your main social platform disappeared tomorrow. How would you adapt your content strategy?
💡 Example: "Suppose your main social platform disappeared tomorrow. How would you adapt your content strategy?"
If you had an unlimited content marketing budget for one month, what campaign would you launch?
💡 Example: "If you had an unlimited content marketing budget for one month, what campaign would you launch?"
Imagine a world where all content must be interactive. How would you engage your audience?
💡 Example: "Imagine a world where all content must be interactive. How would you engage your audience?"
What would you do if you could only publish content once a month?
💡 Example: "What would you do if you could only publish content once a month? Share your plan!"
If you could collaborate with any brand for a content project, who would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could collaborate with any brand for a content project, who would it be?"
Imagine your audience doubled overnight. What would you change about your content?
💡 Example: "Imagine your audience doubled overnight. What would you change about your content?"
If you could automate one part of your content marketing, what would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could automate one part of your content marketing, what would it be?"
Suppose you could only use images or text in your content for a year. Which would you pick?
💡 Example: "Suppose you could only use images or text in your content for a year. Which would you pick?"
What if your most successful piece of content never went live?
💡 Example: "What if your most successful piece of content never went live? How would that impact you?"
Imagine you are launching a new product, but can only use user-generated content to promote it. How would you do it?
💡 Example: "Imagine you are launching a new product, but can only use user-generated content to promote it. How would you do it?"
If you could time travel to see content marketing in 2030, what do you think would surprise you?
💡 Example: "If you could time travel to see content marketing in 2030, what do you think would surprise you?"
What would you do if all analytics tools stopped working for a week?
💡 Example: "What would you do if all analytics tools stopped working for a week?"
Suppose you have to teach a content marketing class using only memes. How would you do it?
💡 Example: "Suppose you have to teach a content marketing class using only memes. How would you do it?"
If your content could have a superpower, what would it be?
💡 Example: "If your content could have a superpower, what would it be?"
Imagine you were banned from using buzzwords in all your content. What words would be hardest to give up?
💡 Example: "Imagine you were banned from using buzzwords in all your content. What words would be hardest to give up?"
What if you could swap jobs with any content marketer for a week?
💡 Example: "What if you could swap jobs with any content marketer for a week? Who would you pick?"
Suppose you had to use only AI-generated content for a month. How would you handle it?
💡 Example: "Suppose you had to use only AI-generated content for a month. How would you handle it?"
If you could erase one content marketing myth forever, which would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could erase one content marketing myth forever, which would it be?"
Imagine your audience only had one minute per day to consume your content. What would you create?
💡 Example: "Imagine your audience only had one minute per day to consume your content. What would you create?"
What if your main competitor asked to collaborate on a campaign?
💡 Example: "What if your main competitor asked to collaborate on a campaign? Would you do it?"
Suppose you could only create evergreen content from now on. What topics would you focus on?
💡 Example: "Suppose you could only create evergreen content from now on. What topics would you focus on?"
If you had to rebrand your content style overnight, what would your new style be?
💡 Example: "If you had to rebrand your content style overnight, what would your new style be?"
Imagine you can only use five words in your next headline. What would they be?
💡 Example: "Imagine you can only use five words in your next headline. What would they be?"
What if your audience could write your brand's next blog post?
💡 Example: "What if your audience could write your brand's next blog post? What topic would you want them to pick?"
Suppose all your content had to be anonymous. How would you build trust?
💡 Example: "Suppose all your content had to be anonymous. How would you build trust?"
If you could learn one new content skill instantly, what would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could learn one new content skill instantly, what would it be?"
Imagine you are only allowed to use data-driven content. What would you create first?
💡 Example: "Imagine you are only allowed to use data-driven content. What would you create first?"
What if you could only publish content on weekends?
💡 Example: "What if you could only publish content on weekends?"
Suppose you had to market a product that does not exist yet. How would you start?
💡 Example: "Suppose you had to market a product that does not exist yet. How would you start?"
If you had to pick just one distribution channel, which would you use and why?
💡 Example: "If you had to pick just one distribution channel, which would you use and why?"
Imagine your audience is kids under 12. How would you change your content strategy?
💡 Example: "Imagine your audience is kids under 12. How would you change your content strategy?"
What if you could only use one emoji in all your content?
💡 Example: "What if you could only use one emoji in all your content? Which emoji would you pick?"
Suppose you have to make all your content accessible for people with disabilities. What changes would you make?
💡 Example: "Suppose you have to make all your content accessible for people with disabilities. What changes would you make?"
If your brand's mascot had to host a podcast, what would the first episode be about?
💡 Example: "If your brand's mascot had to host a podcast, what would the first episode be about?"
Imagine you could only use user questions as content ideas. How would you source and present them?
💡 Example: "Imagine you could only use user questions as content ideas. How would you source and present them?"
What if all your content had to be written in the style of a fairy tale?
💡 Example: "What if all your content had to be written in the style of a fairy tale?"
Suppose you have to create one piece of content that sums up your brand forever. What would it be?
💡 Example: "Suppose you have to create one piece of content that sums up your brand forever. What would it be?"
If you could instantly translate your content to any language, where would you publish first?
💡 Example: "If you could instantly translate your content to any language, where would you publish first?"
To use these templates, simply copy and paste your chosen scenario into your community platform. Add a personal touch or tailor the scenario to current trends for extra relevance. Encourage members to reply in the comments or start a dedicated thread for deeper discussion. Rotate between lighter and more thought-provoking scenarios to keep engagement consistent. Always acknowledge or respond to answers to sustain momentum.
These templates are designed for all platforms. For forums, post as a new thread to allow for extended discussion. On chat platforms, use them as conversation starters. For social media, pair with a graphic to grab attention, and encourage replies in the comments. Always monitor responses and follow up to keep the momentum going.
It is a creative prompt that presents a 'what if' situation for members to imagine and respond to, encouraging engagement and idea sharing.
Aim for once a week or every other week to keep engagement high without overwhelming the community.
Yes, they are accessible for everyone, from lurkers to top contributors, and can be tailored to fit different engagement levels.
Tag members, ask follow-up questions, and show appreciation for responses to foster ongoing participation.
Absolutely. Personalize scenarios to match your audience, brand voice, or current industry trends for best results.
A mix works best. Alternate between playful and thoughtful prompts to engage a wide variety of members.
Try rephrasing the scenario, tagging active members, or adding a personal example to kickstart the conversation.