You probably have some tried and true ways for coming up with blog post ideas.
You scroll through Pinterest, looking at posts in your niche. You go to forums and Facebook groups and look for ideas based on discussions you see. You look up your topic on BuzzSumo to see which articles are popular.
But what do you do when all of your regular methods of coming up with ideas run dry?
These five ideas are a bit different, which means other bloggers probably aren’t using them. And they’ll help you come up with blog post ideas when everything else seems to be a dead-end.
Have you ever been waiting in line at the grocery store when you saw the cover of a magazine with a headline you couldn’t resist? Even though you didn’t plan on buying the magazine, you sneakily took it off the shelf and began reading it, hoping you could get through the article before you got to the register.
Even though you didn’t plan on buying the magazine, you sneakily took it off the shelf and began reading it, hoping you could get through the article before you got to the register.
Magazine writers and editors are professionals. They know what sells. They know what will catch people’s eyes and entice them to pick up their magazines. Follow their lead and you will come up with some irresistible blog post ideas.
From this month’s issue of Cosmopolitan:
Headline: 5 Instant Confidence Boosters
Rewrites:
5 Instant Blog Traffic Boosters
5 Instant Fat Burning Boosters
From O Magazine:
Headline: 6 Healthcare Musts Every Woman Should Fight For
Rewrites:
6 Blogging Musts Every Blogger Should Aim For
6 Fitness Musts Every Gym-goer Should Do
Don’t want to go out to the grocery store? Try looking at Buzzfeed’s homepage. The same process applies.
You’ve probably heard about the tactic of interviewing your audience members to find new blog post ideas? But have you ever considered being interviewed yourself?
Having a friend interview you will help you think about topics you’ve never considered before, especially if it’s someone who doesn’t know much about your topic. Make sure they actually have an interest in your topic so that they’ll think of more interesting questions.
When you’re an expert on a topic, it actually makes it harder to think of blog post ideas because you don’t remember what it’s like to be a beginner. Every time you think of an idea, you might tell yourself, “Nah, everyone knows about that.”
When you have a beginner friend interview you, you’re able to remember what it’s like to be someone who isn’t an expert, and you’ll come up with more post ideas as a result.
Before they interview you, have your friend read a few of your blog posts and then write down all of their questions about your topic. Tell them to write everything down, no matter how small or insignificant.
Schedule a time for them to interview you for a half an hour. Record your interview so that you can listen to it again later. As you answer their questions, don’t be afraid to periodically stop and write down post ideas. And don’t be surprised if you come up with dozens of ideas during your interview.
As bloggers, we spend so much time in front of our computer screens that sometimes we forget there’s the world outside.
Instead of mining websites for blog post ideas, take yourself on a field trip with the intention of thinking of post ideas while you’re there.
For example, if you write about fitness, you can go to a busy park and notice all of the people doing different types of activities. You’ll see runners, kids playing soccer, moms walking with their strollers. Noticing all of these people working out will help expand your mind and help you see things from a different perspective.
Do you have a crafts blog? Take a trip to West Elm or another high-end store. Look at all of the products that appeal to you. Can you figure out a way to make some of them? Jot down your ideas and come back to them later when you’re at your computer.
Idea field trips are fun, they get you out of the house, and they’ll likely give you original blog post ideas your audience will love.
One of the best ways of getting your creative juices flowing is exercising. If you’re stuck and you can’t think of any original blog post ideas, stop banging your head against your computer screen. Lace up your sneakers, queue up your favorite playlist, and head out for a run. Or my favorite - put in a yoga DVD and stretch away.
As you exercise, your mind will start to relax and you’ll find more ideas flowing through you. You can either try to remember your ideas and write them down when you’re done or you can have a note-taking app ready so you can type on the move. When you are finished, you’ll feel better physically, and you’ll be ready to fill your editorial calendar as well.
One of the best places to find new blog post ideas isn’t from other blogs - it’s by reading the news. You’ll see what people are thinking about and worrying about right now, and you’ll be able to write posts that are very relevant as a result.
For example, a lot of the news today is about Hurricane Harvey, a gigantic storm that’s pummeling Houston. You could take this news item and write any number of posts inspired by it.
If you’re a mommy blogger, you could write a post about teaching your kids to give back by donating to help people there. If you’re a pet blogger, you could write a post about the effects of the hurricane on pets. Regardless of what your blog topic is, you can think of something interesting and relevant that connects to today’s news.
Do you have any unique methods my audience can learn from? Share in the comments below.
I think a good idea to come up with your next subject is to actually talk with your reader/customers and ask them what would they like to hear about. Ask them about their interest or issues so that you can provide some valuable information for them.
Thanks for the ideas Sue!
Always an excellent way to come up with ideas, Jarvee!
Thanks for sharing.
Sue
Awesome tips, Sue!
I strongly agree and can testify for 1 & 5.
For example, I write about twitter marketing and always check out industry and news sites that talk about twitter marketing. For instance, twitter's marketing and news blog.
By doing this you not only get blog post ideas but also make you an industry leader whenever you tweet or write about them.
So checking industry news really helps.
Thanks, Sue!
Thanks so much for your comment, Simon! Totally agree with you.
Sue
Perhaps you will laugh but it never fails if I start cleaning I think of ideas pronto! Something in the subconscious to avoid cleaning perhaps?!
I also use cleaning up to stimulate my brain cells. Just getting away from the computer helps, right?
Thanks for your comment, Laurel!
Sue
Good Morning! These are all very helpful blogging ideas. My favorite is a blend of many of those mentioned above. I like to include other people's opinions in my blogs while still offering my opinion. I like to travel around the country and interview people as I go. I also like to use current events and headline news. But ... it is really fun to engage people and ask their opinions on subjects. "What is your favorite way to entertain a toddler?" "What is the best book you have ever read about family relationships?" "What is you best advice for accessorizing a desk?" It's endless. Then, in your blog, include their quotation and mention them by first name and their city. Then...give them your blog site so they check it out and tell their friends that they were quoted!
Fabulous idea, Jane! I do roundup posts that are similar but I like the idea of asking my readers for their opinions.
Thanks for sharing!
Sue
Hi Sue,
I'm a great fan of No 1. Another idea for anyone who doesn't want to go to their local grocery store is to go to magazines.com. It shows the latest front covers of hundreds of different magazines, with all their inspiring headlines. I like to browse through those completely out of my niche and I always come away with at least a dozen new ideas. Thanks for the other tips. Finding inspiration for posts if one of the greatest challenges for bloggers.
Cheers, Mel
Brilliant share on the magazines.com site, Mel! I so appreciate it.
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
Yay! Inspiration! - I guess it was always there but I'd never thought about looking at what is current and meaningful. The friend interview idea is brilliant - I'll be trying that one for sure, not sure how to package that yet (video or Q&A, or both!?). Lovely post, book marked for future reading. Many thanks!
Hi Scott,
You could do both! Whichever you prefer.
Thanks for commenting.
Sue
Hi Sue,
I must say I'm happy to have come over to search for articles to read on your blog and found this insightful post.
The tips are fascinating and can go a long way in helping to write irresistible headlines that get clicks.
#1, for instance, is my best bet because it not only apply to magazine headlines, but also to other blogs headline as well as your competitors. When you check out magazine headlines and rewrite them to fit your content type, you can as well check out your competitors blog, and other blogs for headline the types of headline they created for their post and rewrite them accordingly.
This strategy will help you create stunning headlines that will resonate with your target audience.
Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome, Moss.
I appreciate your comment!
Sue
Hello Sue,
Great tips over here 🙂
Its very hard task mainly for the newbies to get an idea for an attracting blog post name.
Sometimes bloggers choose some extra advances blog post tittles and end up in frustration, as not finding the correct
information about that niche.
I loved the idea of getting down a magazine. Indeed some times the catchy headlines at the front do attract us to get
that piece instantly. So many innovative ideas we can get out from there.
Some physical training is must if one is in the blogging industries. Its helps us to re generate our energy and think out
side of the box. The positive energy is very much required to go more further in this industry.
Thanks for the awesome share.
Shantanu.
So true, Shantanu! Thanks for your comment.
Sue
Great ideas for coming up with new blog posts.
#4 is one I have been using for everything lately. If I am stuck, time to get away form the desk and go for a walk/run or chase my 2 year old around. Getting away from the screen often gets those juices flowing. I always make sure I have a pen and paper with me for when that idea pops in my head.
The other tactic I use is to find a book on my topic. Beginner books work great for this. I then look it up on Amazon and 99.999% of the time you can read the table of contents. I look through the table of contents and right there are a bunch of topics I can use for blog posts!
Chris
Love the book idea, Chris! It's brilliant.
Thanks for commenting.
Sue
Love this, Ryan. I have a friend who takes a very small notebook and pencil on her runs. Phone is probably easier 🙂
Thanks, as always, for commenting!
Sue
Hi Sue,
Awesome tips. I have been following "read a magazine for blog post ideas" for a long time now and it never disappointed me.
Also reading completely irrelevant blogs in your industry (for example, reading a fitness blog when you're running a real estate blog) can give you a ton of post ideas.
Amazon books (read the table of contents) is another place where you can quickly grab a ton of ideas for amazing blog posts.
Thanks for the share!
I just wrote a post about that exact same thing, Ryan, There's nothing like an endorphin rush to clear your head and let inspiration take over! Cheers, Mel
Awesome one Sue!
I'm a big fan of Facebook, so I get most of my blog post ideas from there. When people ask me a similar question consistently, instead of answering them one by one, I do a blog post for it.
Thanks for your useful strategies.... I never thought of getting ideas from magazines by rewriting their headlines. But I think it's amazing.
Cheers.
Emenike
Thank you so much! I was really stuck for some days that what to write next.
Awesome article as usual.
I agree with all your points but love your 1st point too much.
It's best idea for my blog.
Thank you so much for sharing this article and this idea. ???
Hi Sue,
Great tips about coming up with blogging ideas for our blogs. I personally take time out from my blog every day and go for a 5-mile walk.
These walks are not only helpful for opening up my creativity. But I use these walks to listen to podcasts and visualize my goals.
You're definitely right, it's easy to spend way too much time in front of the computer. It's important to take time away.
I've personally found that I am more productive when I take time away for myself. Not to mention, it allows me to get my exercise in for the day.
Thanks for sharing these tips have a great one 🙂
Susan
Hei Sue Anne ,
Even there I would have never passed through my head to think of such ideas. And even bring only good! Thanks for this article!
Hi Sue,
Your article is an inspiration for those bloggers struggling to come up with new blog post ideas. I am sure after reading this post they can create more powerful posts. Even I will try and follow these steps.
Thanks for sharing this!
Sue,
Rewriting magazine headlines is brilliant! I would never have thought of something like that. I also love the idea of getting outside the home/office and going for a run. A change of scenery definitely tends to help out. Thank you for always having such great ideas!
Nice one Sue....
That aspect of interview is what I have been using to grow my new insurance blog.
What I often do is to tell my friends to ask me questions they would like to search for on Google about the insurance industry.
With what they ask me and the information I gather in Quora, I craft my new blog post.
So far, it has been helpful in growing my insurance blog.
Hi Sue,
Helpful Tips are shared over there.
It is true to find out a Blog post title which is never used for a newbie is very hard. So they are always sticking around to find new blog post ideas from other blogging sites.
The Friend interview is a good idea. Whenever I thinking about a new Blog post idea, I go out side my room to the field in the fresh air, and with walking, I think what people actually want for that topic as a beginner.
Thank you very much for such a valuable Article!!
I enjoy it 🙂
Ashutosh
Hi Sue Anne,
Thanks a lot for your very impotent, useful & brilliant post about blog posting . I think it will very helpful for me. Because I want to some blog posting for my own Website marketing .
Thanks again for sharing with us.
You are so welcome!
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
This is lovely. Since I am little bit of a slacker... I like stalking Facebook communities and forums such as Quora and Reddit. I get plenty of ideas, I would have never thought of.
This is from repetitive questions and questions people ask after the reply.
Another trick I use, similar to the magazine snooping while grocery shopping is looking at influencer profiles in my industry (and the one's I admire) and seeing how they are starting their public posts on Facebook and LinkedIN
Love your snooping idea!
Thanks for commenting.
Sue
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
Perfect! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Sue
Glad it helped!
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
Great to hear.
Thanks for commenting.
Sue
Thanks for the ideas. My shortfall is forgetting the ideas as soon as I start something else! So, I've become vigilant about making a note on WordPress, so they're all in one place and waiting for me to bring them to life 🙂
Hi Sue,
Its very difficult to find some new ideas after using everything in store. I mostly read more articles, research and finally end up with some ideas. Thank You.
I use buzzsumo and some other tools but these are far better ideas we can get much better idea about content
The magazine idea is really interesting, I will have to start finding them !
Wow! Great content sue. Learned a lot of post ideas. I personally loved magazine idea. I also like the buzzsumo because it is a great tool. Thanks for the post.
Hi Sue 😀
Love the stuff provided here, Especially regenerating the ideas. I would like to add few other tricks I follow.
I use Google Trends and Google News to know the trending topics of my industry. It helps us find out the topics to write in low competition. I also use Social Media like Facebook, Twitter for trending topics but yeah Buzzsumo is one of the better alternatives when it comes to figuring out the trending topics right away.
But doing them in a hurry will lead you to confusion in many aspects. So, I do it while listening to music with concentration.
Thank you so much for your valuable tips madam. 😀
Love this comment, Sudheer!
Thanks,
Sue
I really like your blog. You have a sense of humor and very informative article. Thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work.