10 Ways To Come Up With Blogging Topics
I decided to write this post because I often find beginning bloggers who ask how to come up with something to say every single day without repeating yourself too much. I had the same issue when I started blogging years ago for business. The issue hasn’t been that big more recently when I started blogging personally, but it was still an issue.
The question cannot be answered directly to everyone because different bloggers have different niches. So when you are reading this article, keep this in mind and use the tips in collusion with the topic you are covering on your blog.
Understand Your Audience
One of the number one things I do is find out what other people are trying to learn. I often check my stats and see what keywords are bringing the visitors through Google natural search. The ones with the highest rate of referrals are the ones I find myself covering in more detail. Of course, this is something you cannot do with a new blog because you have yet to establish any Google traffic. In which case, you can browse to other websites where people are asking questions. One such site is Yahoo! Answers. You can use Yahoo! Answers to browse to the category in which your topic is located. You can find both unresolved and resolved questions, then take those questions to your blog where you can answer them in detail.
Yahoo! Answers is not the only game in town. You can often find forums which have high traffic and get a lot of user involvement. I find that in my seo and blogging niche, I can find questions in websites like WebProWorld.com and I can then answer those questions on my blog. The trick isn’t really finding topics to write about; it’s coming up with enough words to answer the question in detail. To do that, you really have to get into what you are writing about. This might involve recollection on things you have learned over time, or researching parts of the question you don’t know how to answer. If you detail it out in a way that others can understand and follow, then you will end up with excellent user involvement on your own blog in less time than the competition.
Google & Keyphrases
My second way of finding blogging topics is by doing a Google search for “popular blogging topics”. As of right now, I am not sure if I still rank high in Google, but I did rank on first page for the keyphrase “popular blogging topics for 2010″. That keyphrase has brought me some good traffic so far. You have noticed that I am in the top 10 for the first search phrase as of today.
You will find a lot of good blogs out there that tend to write lists on ways to come up with blogging topics. Some of them even include lists of topics that you can write about. I have used some recommendations from blogs like this in the past, and will most likely do it again. The fact is that if that blogger came up with the idea, then there are probably others who are searching for their recommended topics. If you happen to come across my list of popular blogging topics, feel free to leave a comment.
Your Peers
Another great way to come up with topics is to find some of your favorite big blogs, and see what they are talking about. You can come up with a similar topic related to one of their most popular topics, and make it your own without stealing their idea. Consider the fact that nearly everything online has been said before in one fashion or the other. So the big blog you are borrowing ideas from are repeating others who came before them. They just do it in a way that is different by using their own voice.
Bigger blogs often have multiple writers, but that is not always the case. You can learn from them and sometimes they will reveal how they do things. Chances are that they will reveal how they come up with their writing ideas, and how they market their blog. You can emulate what they have proven to be successful, and you too can be successful.
Ask Your Readers
You can poll your readers or post on your blog asking them what they want to read. This way, you can attract comments and get some good advice from people who already like to read your blog. This may not work for lower traffic blogs, but you can always bring in some initial traffic by commenting on other related blogs. I am sure if you do this, those other blog owners will stop by your blog and comment on your post with some ideas. I have not really utilized this one fully, but I can tell you that traffic will come and answer you if you comment on other blogs.
Do Something New With Something Old
New takes on old topics are a great way to generate some new ideas. Let’s say for example you previously wrote about search engine optimization. You would want to write in more detail about search engine optimization for dynamic websites. Or perhaps you can detail how social media affects search engine rankings. You can recycle a past topic to create something new and fresh.
By recycling old topics with fresh information, you will come off as more of an expert to your readers. As a blogger that writes about how to make money blogging, I find myself often going into detail about things I mentioned but did not heavily write about previously.
If You Bail You Fail
If you bail you fail. What I mean by this is that your readers expect fresh content on a regular basis. If you disappear for a month, then you are likely to lose subscribers or readers. But what if you were to post some personal things every now and then to cover your lack of ideas? It is ok to occasionally post personal happenings. It will give you a post for that day while you recover and come up with new ideas.
Of course, if your blog is entirely personal, then this doesn’t pertain to you. But in the case that your blog is more personal in nature, then you can come up with new things to talk about by getting out of the house and doing something different today. Don’t let your blog go under water by not posting. Post something. Anything! Consider the fact that it generally takes up to a year and a half before you really see the major traffic come to your website. Your goal should be a million unique visits per month or more, and you can achieve these results by posting regularly.
If you are feeling especially creative one day, you can write a few articles ahead of time. You can either schedule these posts to publish one per day, or you can save a post for a rainy day when you have no ideas.
Post A Review
Review things. It is good to review things every now and then. Whether it be a product you just got, or one you love. Or maybe it is a service you like (or don’t like). You can post a category just for reviews. You might end up finding out that companies will want you to review them in the future. You can even charge for reviews after you have established yourself as an effective reviewer.
You can also use reviews as an opportunity to make some affiliate commissions by posting your affiliate id when you provide a link to the company you are reviewing. Never underestimate the amount of clicks and conversions you can get from a review. I charge $500 per review on my blogs and I only allow one review every month. Keep the amount of paid reviews down so as not to come across as an affiliate blog. Readers like the concept of free and don’t want to sit through your daily pitch to get money from them. Utilize a review as an occasional thing, and readers will not mind. They may even be more sympathetic to the affiliate and turn into a paying customer of your sponsor.
Finding The Muse
Find your inspiration. I often find myself in the shower just drifting away in my thoughts. When that happens I can see myself starting to hum a melody or lyrics to a new song, and I am not even in the music business anymore! The same thing sometimes happens when I am around a lot of noise like construction. Your inspiration may come when you are sitting on the dock by a lake on a nice day. Think back to when you were really inspired to do something, and get yourself back to that place. By finding your inspiration, you aren’t really searching for outside help to come up with ideas. You will find that they were already in your head waiting to escape, and you unlocked the key. You will also remember that this is how you came up with the idea, and you can do it again in the future.
Take A Break
Take a break. If you have been sitting in front of the laptop all day, chances are you need to rest. Your brain is strained, and taking an hour to watch some tv or something away from the computer will make you refreshed. Sometimes I find myself hating my work when I am doing web design, and that’s when I realize I am burned out. I happen to know that I love web design. So I take a break and watch a primetime show or a movie on Netflix for the Nintendo Wii, then when I come back to the computer screen I get excited to be back where I belong!
Getting burned out happens to the best of us. But there is simple treatment for the problem and you will be back to being creative in no time at all. Burnout is also an actual psychological condition, so look it up.
Find a guest poster. If you have tried everything else, maybe you just need a longer break. You will find that many bloggers out there are looking to guest post. Their post on your blog will benefit both of you. You because you get new fresh content on your blog, and them because they are getting a link and traffic from your blog. There are websites out there specifically to help bloggers find guest posters, and guest posters to find blogs. One of the ones I use occasionally is MyBlogGuest.com
Conclusion
Let’s Recap:
- Check your stats or search for questions. Find out what others are asking.
- Search for popular blogging topics. These are usually topics that have had excellent reader response in the past.
- Check the big guys. Borrow an idea and make it your own.
- Ask your peers. Find out what your readers want.
- Recycle and save the planet. You can find new ways to discuss old topics in detail.
- If you bail you fail. Write something personal to cover your lack of ideas.
- Review it. Write a review, and make some affiliate cash at the same time.
- Get inspired. Go to your favorite place where you can think. Ideas will come.
- Take a break and recharge your brain. When you come back, you will not be burned out.
- Find a guest poster. Someone will want to do all the legwork for you at no charge.
You should never quit blogging on the account that you have nothing to write about. There is so much information available to you in the form of the internet, television, radio, and books. You have tons of things that you can write about at any given time. You just have to get off of your behind and make it happen. The good payoffs always require work, but they are worth it. If you are capable of sticking to it, you can actually quit your day job within a year and a half or maybe sooner. If you post on a daily basis for that long, you will establish not only natural search engine traffic because of the hundreds of articles on your blog, but also benefit from the inbound links from others who read you and value your blog as a resource.
Your Turn
What do you do to keep your posts from being stale and redundant?
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Twitter: jeansarauer
said:
Great ideas there, Brandon! If a person went straight down that list and practiced what you have there, they would have plenty to write about for a long time.
One of my favorite things to do lately is to check in with myself more for ideas from my own life. Sometimes I’m doing something with my own blog I can write about or, maybe there’s something going on in another area of life I can relate to blogging. Even common emotions like sadness, envy, fear, etc. make great topics to write about. I keep an editorial calendar so normally stick to that for the topic, but these personal things are nice to pop in there now and again.
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..How to Kick Your Blog into Summer Gear =-.
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Completely agreed, and nice way of coming up with topics Jean.
.-= brandonconnell´s last blog ..Sphinn wins a spot on my wrath list =-.
Twitter: bluepop13
said:
I’m actually currently writing a guide on content and will be releasing it free with my mailing list and thought I’d comment here because you gave me some great ideas for it.
I thought I was done until now!
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other: Monthly Experience (April – May) =-.
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Lol. Thanks for the notice Eric.
.-= brandonconnell´s last blog ..Sphinn wins a spot on my wrath list =-.
Twitter: buildrankprofit
said:
Brandon. Awesome post mate! And if anyone is going to be an authority on coming up with topics to poist about it is you!!
Great read and another bookmarked list.
@Mark – Why are you letting him post here too! It’s bad enough that he goes like a cut snake on his own blog.
Geeeeeeezzzzzz
.-= alex´s last blog ..SMART Goals, Small Wins, & Coconuts =-.
Ha. Brandon sent it in and it was too good to not post!
By the way, that title you have linked to is outstanding! I can’t wait to read it.
Have a great day!
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Thanks Alex. I also emailed you a couple times about guest posting on your blog, but you never replied.
.-= brandonconnell´s last blog ..Sphinn wins a spot on my wrath list =-.
Twitter: buildrankprofit
said:
BOOOO! Never recieved the emails?!?
.-= alex´s last blog ..SMART Goals, Small Wins, & Coconuts =-.
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Nope. I want to guest post on your blog, and I have an opportunity for you to join me in a new blog venture. Looks like the reply I did to you was too far to the right. Mark will delete it hopefully
Mark, you should limit the amount of inline comments to 1 that way they don’t break your design.
.-= brandonconnell´s last blog ..Free traffic and review once per month! =-.
Twitter: theMickMorris
said:
This was much better than the standard list post, you actually unpacked each idea and put some flesh on it. Really helpful. Looking forward to trying a couple of new ideas.
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Thank you much. I don’t like the lists that just list things out. You should see a 101 list I am working on now.
.-= brandonconnell´s last blog ..Sphinn wins a spot on my wrath list =-.
Twitter: kruby
said:
This is a fantastic post with so many relevant ideas, Brandon. I’m bookmarking it as I do get writer’s block and struggle sometimes to come up with great content for my site.
I do think that sometimes you need to take a break, step away from the computer, and do activities that rejuvenate you. Take a walk, play with your kids or your pet, read a good book, and you’ll notice the difference when you are ready to get back to it. The creative juices will flow.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Seven Friends That You Need In Your Life =-.
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Thank you Karen. I find that days like today I just need a break. I woke up at around 7:30 and had to lay back down, just got back up and still exhausted. I am just worn out, and happy that I wrote a couple of scheduled blog posts until the 5th so I can break.
.-= brandonconnell´s last blog ..Why your article gets no attention =-.
Yikes! It took me 24 hours to join the party! I read it last night, but also again today. I agree with Alex, this is one to bookmark.
I haven’t heard of myblogguest, so thank you for that info. You’re a wealth of information. Now the thought of you in a daze, singing in the shower. Wow, the stories Jody must have about you
I’m more visual, pictures and photographs inspire me.
What Do You See?
Hey Scott,
I had not heard of myblogguest either. For the record, I actually bookmarked this too. Really excellent ideas.
Have a good day!
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
MyBlogGuest is just one of the sites out there. There are two more that I use as well. Just don’t remember their name off the top of my head. I do not post many guest posts though.
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Stop thinking about me in the shower Scott.
.-= brandonconnell´s last blog ..Free traffic and review once per month! =-.
Twitter: mikeroosa
said:
Good advice Brandon. You covered many ways to come up with ideas. Right now, I’ve just been writing about whatever comes to me each day, but I know that is going to run out soon and I’ll need some techniques for generating some ideas. This is going to be invaluable when that time comes.
One thing I do for my articles that I submit to ezine is to search google for “top 100″ and then find lists of 100 items. I write an article about as many of the 100 as I can. I’m just using the articles for backlinks to niche sites though not trying to get traffic through the articles.
.-= Mike Roosa´s last blog ..Monthly Review – May 2010 =-.
Great interesting idea for ideas Mike! Thanks for sharing that!
The posts on your site lately have been really good – I really liked the one about going from the outhouse to the penthouse – really great idea!
Have a great night!
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Hey Mike. Haven’t heard from you in awhile. I noticed your blog went down a long time ago. Are you planning on getting back into blogging, or are you only doing niche sites?
Brandon Connell´s last [type] ..FREE- Ghostly Acres Grunge Web Template
Twitter: sallyneill
said:
Hey Brandon, that’s list really helped me, I often find it hard to decide on a blog topic, some days an idea pops right in and other days I just can’t seem to think straight.
But since I visit other blogs more regularly now I am getting ideas from their posts, I don’t mean ripping them off, they just inspire me to think about new ideas for posts of my own.
However, I have still noted down the recap points and will refer back to them often on the days I can’t think straight.
Sally
.-= Sally´s last blog ..Five Commandments Of Blog Hopping =-.
Ha – I did the same thing Sally. Then I hung it on my wall in front of my computer
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Hey Sally. I JUST noticed your comment here LOL. Sorry on the extremely late reply. I wonder though now that all this time has passed since I wrote this, if you referred to it at all for ideas.
Brandon Connell´s last [type] ..I have been challenged by Alex Whalley!
Twitter: davidnorton7420
said:
Hey
This post is great i got alot of great tips here i like Do Something New With Something Old ideas really liked that also take a rest is important ive only started my blog now about 3 weeks or so so great tips thanks again
davy
Glad you liked it Davy. I believe that Brandon has a companion post on his blog. I will put a link to it on the Friday post.
Have a great day!
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Hi Davy. That’s something I am about to start doing now… going back to check my old posts and see if there is more detail I can provide. It also helps your old posts because you link to it within the new article as a reference point. It can get new commentary on the old post.
Brandon Connell´s last [type] ..I have been challenged by Alex Whalley!
Twitter: RalphJP
said:
Good advice
I have a motto for coming up with topics. E&E, baby! Experience and Experiment! When I need an idea, I much rather go out and do something and then bring that back to my blog.
For example, I did an experiment where I would start my day at 3am. It is becoming one of my most popular posts. And Google likes it too
Hey Ralph –
Nice point about bringing some of you day into you posts. That makes it easier to relate with for sure.
Thanks for the visit, and have a great day!
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
3am is a bit rough! I sometimes find myself going to bed at that time, not waking up!
Brandon Connell´s last [type] ..FREE- Ghostly Acres Grunge Web Template
Twitter: amchard
said:
Hello Brandon,
Just came across your blog and found your great post on getting ideas for posts. This was just what I needed and was looking for tonight. Your list of ways to get ideas is fantastic. I have bookmarked this list and will keep an eye out for more great info from you as I re-visit your blog often.
Thanks for the help in getting me out of my blog post’s writer’s block!
Warmly,
Alice McHard
Hi Alice,
Have a look at the 21 Blog Program for some other great blogging resources. Also, you can find Brandon’s blog where he tells you how to make money blogging.
Have a great day!
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Hello Alice. This is Mark’s blog, and I just guested here. But thank you very much. I know how it is to have writer’s block, but it isn’t an issue any more. I hope you can tame that beast too!
Brandon Connell´s last [type] ..How to build your email list with Google’s help
If you really get stuck for ideas, something political always gets people talking or something on how to make money.. for obvious reasons.
John @ sat nav´s last [type] ..Sat Nav’s at Shop GPS
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Agreed. But careful as you can end up with lots of haters on the other side of the political opinion.
This was a great read. Loved the part about regularity, it does seem that way that your subscribers will move on. Too many blogs come and go, and your readers realize that.
Also, recylcing ideas is possible but you have to provide fresh ideas or content on the subject. Can’t just be a rehash a topic and reword a few words and call it good, effort is needed!
Brandon @ Orange County SEO´s last [type] ..Are search engine optimization experts treated unfairly in the USA
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Yeah, rehashing the same is very bad. Actually, I recommend going back to the beginning and looking at your old posts to see if they were lacking, and editing them. That way, when new traffic reaches those articles, they get the whole picture.
Failing that, its always good to by asking your readers a question from time to time, almost like a reverse forum post.
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
I also do that at the bottom of articles, to get them commenting.
Great ideas. I also find that it helps to go to sites like Ehow and Yahoo Answers and look at the sections for your niche.
Writing posts would be like writing a detailed answer to that question.
Using that strategy greatly helped me with my writer’s block
Dale@ Passive Income Ideas´s last [type] ..Product Review – CashCrate
Thank you for the tips! You gave me some great inspiration to start identifying subjects to discuss. I look forward to joining the blogging community.
Novice Blogger