When you are tasked with creating content for consumption, whether it’s in the online or real world, it can sometimes feel like it’s hard to come up with new ideas. The good news is that there’s lots of ways to get your creative juices flowing, some of which you can do every day. In this blog, we’ll provide you with a list of these tools.
Jot them down
If you’ve ever been out for a walk, working in the garden, shopping, or going about some other daily activity, you may have found ideas popping into your head that could make for engaging reading. This is why it can be a great idea to carry a notebook and pen or even just an app on your phone for writing down your ideas while they are still fresh. You can go back to them later.
Spend time on social media
While social media may have its ups and downs, it offers you a way to learn what topics people are talking about. It’s been found that Americans spend an average of two hours a day on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and similar sites, and it makes sense that the stats would be similar for Canada.
Take full advantage of your blog
If you have a blog, take some time to read through the comments section of your blog. This can be a helpful source for ideas, as it will show you what your followers are interested in, allowing you to craft content that speaks to them.
Go to Google
The Google search toolbar can show you what sorts of searches people are doing and what they want to know about. This may be useful to both general and niche writers. The “people also ask” and “searches related to” can give you even more ideas.
Give topic generators a try
HubSpot and other sites offer tools which automatically generate content ideas. While they may not be fleshed out, they may provide the inspiration you’re looking for.
Get personal
If you write niche content and you have personal experience in the topic, don’t be afraid to share it. These may allow your readers to feel more engaged and connected to you, encouraging them to return and find out more.
What do surveys say?
If you’re looking for new content ideas, check out the latest developments in the field. You can look into recent surveys, study results or technology that’s coming out, and you may even want to do a batch of product reviews.
Fraternize forums
There’s online forums for almost every topic of interest, and these may be great starting points for your next article or post. Quora is quite extensive, making it possible for you to find out what people want to know.
Find industry insights
Many companies have publications that are specific to the sector. These are often published online, and it can be a wise move to read through the ones that generate the most interest.
Attend a conference or expo
If you can attend a trade show, expo or conference, you will be offered an insider’s view into the topic. You may be able to sit in on a panel presentation and network, and questions and answer sessions may also be valuable sources for ideas.
Use reporting tools
Help a Reporter Out (HARO) may be useful when you’re stumped and looking for a fresh outlook. It can connect you with experts in a particular field, and you’ll also be able to learn what people in different industries are talking about.
Go local
If you’re looking for ideas related to your local area, look no further than your community’s news. Human interest stories may be great sources for topics.
Network, network, network
Many communities host business mixers and other networking events. Try and meet as many people as you can, and learn more about their business, their successes and best practices. You can incorporate these into the pieces you craft.
A picture can spark 1,000 words
There’s sites such as Flickr, Facebook and Instagram that are full of photos. These may give you lots of ideas and will also show what topics are trending with the public.
Make old advertisements new again
It can be a smart move to go through former advertising campaigns and injury manuals, as these can be gold mines for ideas. One is to compare “then” and “now” when it comes to how a particular product or service was marketed.
A big part of online writing can be coming up with creative content ideas, and there’s lots of ways to do so that may be easier than you think. If you want to put your creativity to work for you and you think you have what it takes on writing jobs at home, contact us at Words of Worth today. We want to hear from you.