Everybody gets writer’s block. And if you say you don’t, you’re lying. But when writing is your job, you can’t afford for the blog ideas to stop flowing; especially when you blog for multiple clients, multiple times a week.
So, the next time you’re struggling to come up with blog ideas to fill your content calendar, try these 5 tips to keep the creative juices flowing.
Keep an Idea File
Sometimes you have a great idea, but when you actually go to write about it, it has floated off into the abyss never to be seen or heard from again. Next time, write it down. Even if you won’t be writing about it right away, put it in a file somewhere for safekeeping. Write down interesting conversations, funny taglines, and intriguing questions. If you add to this list a little every day, the next time you sit down to write a post, you’ll have a plethora of ideas to choose from.
Use The Google
We’re not saying to actually Google “good blog ideas.” Though, that might work, too. Instead, Google a topic you are interested in (I know, you have writer’s block, but it can be really, really vague), and stop typing. Then use that handy autofill feature to see what other people are searching regarding your topic. Or try typing in a question surrounding your topic.
For instance, I started to type, “Does blogging…”
Here, you can see that others are wondering if blogging helps SEO. Boom. You’ve got a topic because you know that yes, blogging does help SEO. Now you can write, “5 Ways Blogging Helps with SEO.”
Easy.
Steal (But Not Really)
Now, we don’t condone stealing…for the most part. But swiping a great idea for inspiration is ok, once you write your own content for your industry or your audience. You probably follow some blogs you enjoy and every once in awhile come across one and think, “Man, I wish I would have written that.” So, write it. Don’t steal it word for word (that’s plagiarism and it’s majorly frowned upon/illegal) but take the concept and use your personal experiences and knowledge to make it your own. For example, Hubspot has a blog called, “7 Ways to Spot Burnout in Your Salespeople (and What to Do About It).” Maybe you’re a salesperson who has actually experienced burnout. You could write, “How To Tell If You’re on The Edge of a Burnout.”
Remember, there are no original ideas. So, take an idea and make it personal.
Improve What Works
You’ve probably already got some great content out there. Content that performed well when it was first published and continues to resonate with your audience. But, maybe it’s a little outdated. Take the information in that blog and repurpose it. Or, expand on it. Check the comments of a high performing blog and see if anyone had any questions then, and answer those questions in another blog.
Get Creative
Try something unconventional. I’m a very visual person, I like images. Google a broad topic then select the “images” tab. Browse some pictures and see if you get inspired.
Or, just start writing. Write a sentence about something you witnessed during your day, a question you had about something you read or just a random thought you had throughout the day. Then, just keep writing. Sometimes, an idea will form before you even realize it.
What About Your Blog Ideas?
How do you keep the evil writer’s block at bay? Let us know your tips and tricks in the comments!
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