Blogging day in and day out can be difficult. You may find that at some point you simply run out of things to say, but rest assured there are still enough topics to write about that you could write a blog post every single day.
The trick is finding inspiration for those blog posts. Here are seven says to find inspiration for your blog posts.
1. Other blogs. We would never encourage anyone to plagiarize the material of others, however other posts can be fantastic sources for inspiration. You may want to expand upon an idea, or you could write a post with an opposing viewpoint.
Additionally, you could take one small part of a blog post and create a more detailed post around that idea. Other blog posts are fuel for thought. As you’re participating online, commenting on posts and reading, keep a notebook beside you or an open document on your computer. Take notes on your inspiration and use them the next time you’re stumped for a topic.
2. Industry information. Industry magazines and newsfeeds are another source of inspiration. It’s a great way to stay on top of recent events and announcements. You can use the latest information to keep your audience up to date. Share your opinions about industry news or developments.
3. Magazine covers. Do you subscribe to any magazines? If so, take a look at the headlines on the cover. You’ll see headlines that look something like this:
a. 10 Ways to ________.
b. How to __________ in less time.
c. The Secret to _________
d. 5 Steps to _____________
Use the headlines to create blog topics of your own. Simply replace the topic of the magazine article with your own industry topic. For example instead of the topic “12 holistic ways to fight depression.” You might say, “12 ways to train a dog” “12 ways to clean a closet” “12 ways to say no and not feel guilty” “12 ways to improve your fitness training” and so on.
4. Bestseller’s lists. Visit Amazon.com or another online bookseller and read their bestseller’s lists. In Amazon you can drill down and find a bestseller’s list for niche industries too. Take a look at the book titles and see if they inspire any blog post ideas.
5. Newspapers. The newspaper is full of information and potential inspiration. Look for events or news that affects your prospects or your industry. Blog about the information and how it affects you. Offer an editorial or a different viewpoint.
6. Social networking. Social networking sites are full of links, interesting comments and occasional drama and controversy. It’s great fodder for blog post inspiration. You can also use your comments on forum or during networking discussions as blog posts. Just cut, paste, and polish.
7. Comments from other posts. Finally, we return to the blogosphere. We mentioned first off that other blogs are a great source of inspiration. Additionally, the comments on those blogs, and your own blog, can be creative fuel. Take the time to read the comments. Often someone has an insight that you may agree with or disagree with. Use that information to create a new blog post of your own.
There’s inspiration everywhere. You just have to take time to see it. In addition to these seven ways to find inspiration for blog posts, consider finding a quiet park bench or a spot on the lawn and just allowing your thoughts to wander. Brainstorm creative blog post ideas and jot them down.
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