Anyone who’s tried to write regular blog posts knows that sooner or later the ideas stop coming. When that happens, you need ideas for how to come up with blog ideas!
We all know that having a blog is a great way to increase SEO, drive organic traffic, and increase engagement with prospects. But posting regularly, even just monthly, can drain the creative juices. What do you do when blogger’s block strikes? If you don’t have a plan for how to come up with blog ideas, you’ll end up burnt out on blogging. Use these 15 simple strategies to keep the blog ideas flowing.
1. Ask your network
A good blog should supply useful, remarkable (read remark-able) content to your network of peers and prospects. Naturally, an easy solution for how to come up with blog ideas is to ask these people what they want to know. Ask what struggles they have, what they’re working on, what tips would be helpful to them. If you have an FAQ page, you can even write blogs to more fully explain each answer.
Examples:
The Ugly Duckling House shares reader remarks and pet peeves
Literary agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, answers common questions
2. Ask the experts
My journalism school bias aside, interviews are a great way to bring those with authority into your blogging world. An expert in your industry may not be willing to guest write a full blog for you, but they might answer some questions over the phone or in an email. You can even ask several experts the same question and collect the advice into one post. If you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to an industry leader, interview a peer, coworker, or client.
Examples:
Square shares expert tips on product photography
Kettle Fire asks small business owners to share their tips
3. Share your victories and failures
People patronize brands that are relatable. Try sharing a personal, and business relevant, story of a time you succeeded or went down in flames. Explain what you learned and how those lessons may apply to others facing similar challenges. If you’re willing to be a little vulnerable, your work life is full of blog ideas.
Examples:
Everygirl opens up about the business mistakes she made last year
I share my experience with rebranding our branding firm
4. Go behind the scenes
Everyone loves an inside scoop. Pull back the curtain and give your readers a glance into the real-life, sometimes unglamorous, parts of your business. Share part of your creative process, give a sneak peek of an upcoming project, or post a behind-the-scenes video.
Examples:
Content creator Brittany Berger shares her writing process
A DIY queen shows off her laundry room mid-renovation
5. Get technical in a case study
Take your cue from the scientific method when sharing the technical aspects of a project. Begin with a hypothesis, goal, or challenge. Then, discuss your methods, share the results (visually if possible), and draw a conclusion. If you have raw data or can demonstrate patterns and trends, whip up some Excel charts and add them to the post.
Examples:
Custom web developer ClikFocus examines a non-profit project
Mozilla explains how they developed the Flexbox Inspector
6. Let Google guide you
When you start typing in a search box, Google autocomplete shows the most common searches that began with the words or characters you’re typing. This can give some insight as to what other people want to know about your topic. You can search a keyword and look at the top results for inspiration, too.
Example:
Do you make hover boards? Millions of people are searching for your blog!
7. Find a new perspective
Attack an old blog idea or previously covered topic from a new point of view. This is particularly useful when a previous post didn’t perform well but you know the content is beneficial to your community. Make a new connection or present the information in a different format.
Examples:
Work Brighter values “energy management” over time mangagement
Hello Fashion presents healthy alternatives to favorite treats
8. Extend an existing list
Did you share some great tips a while back? I bet you have more related pointers you could add on. More favorites, more reasons, more resources. Whatever engaged your readers in the past, don’t hesitate to give them more of just that.
Examples:
Tree Hugger gives more tips on living without plastic
Kettle Fire shares more branding stats
9. Play devil’s advocate
Give your blog readers reasons NOT to do something or present a better alternative to a common solution. There’s no need to get rude, but feel free to use your expertise to guide people away from a common but less effective pathway.
Examples:
DIYer shares how NOT to anchor a fence post
According to Business Insider, you shouldn’t go to college
10. Collect facts and stats
I know I’m not the only one out there who swoons over well-interpreted data. Pull together a hearty list of recent research or compose a did-you-know-style trivia list about your industry. These also make great tweets and Facebook posts.
Examples:
HubSpot shares new data on multicultural millennials
Healthline lists nutrition facts you should know but probably don’t
11. Read comments
Using reader comments for future blog inspiration is a common way to engage your readers and come up with blog ideas. But it’s just as useful to read comments on competitor or industry blogs to see what readers would like to hear about.
Example:
If I wrote a sewing blog, you can bet I’d be posting about traditional vs. invisible zippers.
12. Take a look back
How has your industry or product changed over the years? What relevant and memorable events occurred 10, 15, 25 years ago? Ask yourself these questions to stir up blog ideas for a nostalgic post.
Examples:
Virtual Wayfarer reflects on his years of “travelschooling” as a child
Inbound marketers share the history of clip art
13. Newsjack with care
Newsjacking is the concept of connecting your marketing to current events. This can be done very well, as shown by Dunkin Donuts below, or with disastrous results. It should go without saying, but apparently doesn’t, that you should never use a tragedy to promote yourself. Avoid that faux pas and you can have fun connecting your brand to the Super Bowl, the Oscars, popular hashtags, and causes your brand supports.
Examples:
A financial blogger learns investing lessons from Breaking Bad
This oldie-but-goodie from 2015’s dress color controversy is my favorite newsjack.
14. Curate content
Most blog writers are avid blog readers, and there’s nothing wrong with sharing great posts you’ve read with your community. Think of it as recommending a good book to a friend. Make a list of the most informative articles on a specific topic or most useful resources for accomplishing a task.
Examples:
Colossal features amazing design and crafts every day
Inc. shares the most useful software you’re not using
15. Go for the best
Similar to curating, best-of lists are “how to come up with blog posts” 101. The possibilities of topics are endless. Think of any aspect of your business and find the best examples of it on the Internet, giving proper credit of course, or combine the best of your own work into a classy portfolio post.
Examples:
Kettle Fire posts the best movie poster designs
IGN shares the best Emma Watson movies since Harry Potter
Do you have some great tips for how to come up with blog ideas? Share with us in the comments! We’d love to add your ideas to our post.
I know this if ooff topic but I’m looking into starting my
own weblog and was wonhdering what all is required to get set up?
I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very internet savvy sso I’m not 100% sure. Any suggestions or
advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
I read this article with great interest and found it very helpful as I am setting up my own blog on electric kettles boring you may say as they are an uninteresting small kitchen appliance as they only boil water on the other hand they are a very important kitchen appliance as they boil water (and much more if you like).
But enough about me. I particularly liked the idea of asking an expert although I can foresee challenges finding an expert willing to speak.
I am less comfortable about sharing victories and failures, perhaps that is because I am a naturally private person although you make a good argument in its favor.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road. All the best
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