If you have a blog you have to literally be on the prowl at all times for great post ideas. This includes thinking about the topics that not only are what your visitors want to read about, but that engage them.
You do this by covering current topics of interest and make them want to read more. Then taking the necessary time to craft a worthy article.
Writing is a Skill… and Challenge
This is a challenge for every blog owner. From those just starting out to established larger blogs alike. Creating content, good content, takes time and a well thought out approach.
You want to have a blog that gets bookmarked and better yet subscribed to. To accomplish this you have to be exceptionally aware about how everything you read, see or hear can be turned into an interesting blog post.
This includes being tapped into industry trends and current events. In particular those that may have an impact on the use of your product, service or your customers who use them.
How to Collect Post Ideas
Some use their calendars, others take manual notes. While there are those that carry a journal around with them to write down and inspiration when it hits them. What ever works for you, find a system and use it.
Keep notes on what your customer ask about most.
Those questions are goldmines for future blog posts and your FAQ. From how-tos to more detailed studies or whitepapers, let your customers guide you on your topic priorities. Then, from the questions on your FAQ page you can link to a more comprehensive and detailed answer on your blog.
I have a little red diary type notebook that I have on my desk at all times. I know old fashioned. But I love notebooks — and could probably collect them if I let myself. I love all the neat designs and how they feel in my hands! (Plus I get to doodle!)
When I get even the slightest flash of a good idea, I write it down. Right then and there. If I don’t, I know I’ll get distracted and the idea will be gone. There’s notes apps on your phone you can use for this too.
Subscribe and read as many other bloggers in your area of focus.
This is how you keep up with trends and conversations. No doubt you’ll run into post topics that you can easily put your own unique spin on or voice your opinion about.
I have a folder in my email program called “My Blogs” and then subfolders for each of my blogs within. When I get an email that notes something I want to address in a future post, I highlight that topic and then file it in the appropriate folder for when I have that all too common writer’s block.
When you land on a blog with a topic that you want to expound upon or better yet add your own little twist to, here again, create a bookmark folder in your browser. My folder is called “Future Posts”. I then bookmark that post’s page for future reference.
Many blogs have the option of emailing posts. In that case you can email yourself a copy to be filed in your email program’s blog folder. You can then refer to that folder for when you are ready to write your fresh and original post on the topic.
Something I also do…
I’ll login to my WordPress Admin panel, and use that nifty Quick Draft widget on the homepage in your dashboard. I title it with my idea and then put some quick notes about the direction I want to type about in the content area.
Don’t see the Quick Draft Widget? Make sure you are on your Dashboard (left sidebar), then click Screen Options tab — top right. Check the box to the left of Quick Draft. With this approach I also have a collection of drafts I can draw upon for future posts.
BONUS TIP!
Check out Google’s AdWords Keyword Planner. Don’t worry, you don’t have to buy ads to use the tool. This is a way to “see” what folks are searching for to add to your stable of topic ideas!
Login with your Google account credentials, click on the wrench icon top/right then choose Keyword Planner. You can query Google’s database to find out what folks are searching for relative to your market and topic.
You’ll be able to see the search volume and competitiveness by the PPC amounts. Click the Download button to download the info so you can refer to at a later date.
Another fun site to get topic ideas is AnswerThePublic. Once you type in your keyword phrase the site will display visuals of what folks are searching for.
Always Be Open to Potential Topics
It is the rare talent that can sit at their keyboard and just start typing away every day, day in and day out and produce relevant quality posts of interest. That’s why having a collection of resources available that have already spurred your creative juices is the best approach.
You’ll soon find you’ve grown a healthy archive of post ideas that will be available when you need them. Have writer’s block? Open one of your resource folders.
Remember, first and foremost when writing great posts is to think about what your readers want to read about. Solve a problem. Make their life easier. Address their concerns. That’s what really matters.
By always having that radar on when you find these gems or have those incredible epiphanies you will habitually jot them down, bookmark them, file them or draft them. You’ll always have ideas at your fingertips to write about.
You’ll save yourself a ton of time and actually make creating your posts more enjoyable. For you and your readers alike.
At your service,
P.S. Still don’t want to go through the hard work to create great content for your WordPress website? Check out my blog and post content creation services.