Friday, July 13, 2012

Ten Ways To Find Blog Ideas


Writing can be a challenging task—especially for those who aren’t fully used to it.
If you have a blog, you’ve pretty much committed yourself to becoming a writer. It can take writing three to five posts a week to drive traffic up and get the kind of readership that you’ve been looking for. You’ll also need strong content for every post as well. That’s no easy feet.
So what do you do when you’re out of ideas? It’s time to expand your creative borders and keep thinking of new and creative ways to express your ideas. There is always something that you could write about.

Carry a Notebook

            You never know at what point in the day inspiration could strike you. If you are taking a shower, or taking out the trash, the perfect idea for the next blog may pop into your head. It’s best to be prepared for this.
            Make sure to use the notebook. If you’re still feeling stuck, try freewriting. No one has to see this notebook but you. Write until you find your next great idea.

What Questions Do Your Clients or Customers Ask?

Has a client recently asked you a really good question about your business? Or maybe it’s a question that you believe more clients may have. You can answer that question in a blog. Don’t be afraid to refer them to the blog after you are done. It’ll make an excellent resource.

Industry News or Developments

Has something recently changed in your industry that your readers could benefit from knowing about? Maybe there’s a new line of product, or the regulations are changing? Now is your chance to keep your readership up to date.

Consumer Tips

What should consumers in your industry be aware of before making a buying decision? This is your chance to shine as an expert, without pushing your own product. Go ahead and tell them why what you sell matters, and what they can do to go through the purchasing process the right way.

Direct Response

If you recently read an insightful industry blog, don’t be afraid to expound on it. You can link to the other blog, and give your opinions and insights on the issue at hand. This is a great way to interact with others in your industry and capitalize on another stream of traffic. Just make sure you have something insightful to say.

Look Outside Your Industry

It pays to be reading materials from outside your industry to continuously expose yourself to new ideas and stay fresh. This is your chance to connect the dots between two areas that we otherwise wouldn’t see the connection. Let your creativity flow. How did what Mozart do impact the world of running shoes? I don’t know either. You explain it.

Who Do You Talk To?

Do you talk with others in your industry or a related industry? What insight have they offered you? If they’ve tipped you off to something you need to consider in your industry, now is the time to share. If you’re going to write about their ideas, remember to give credit where credit is due.  Interviewing them for a post may also be a good idea.

Lists

Readers crave information in short chunks. What kind of industry-related lists can you create to convey information? These are often some of the highest read posts, as well.

Book or Product Reviews

What industry books have you read lately? Were they an excellent fountain of information or an abysmal disappointment? Maybe you should make the recommendation, or warn others off.

Find a Guest Blogger

Know someone providing a fresh look at things in your industry? Now is the time to expose them to a new audience, and expose your audience to a fresh voice. It’s a win-win.

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