Blogging is a great way to promote your business but coming up with a constant stream of blog ideas is a lot harder than it sounds.
If you run a blog, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
So, how do you make sure you always have a list of topics to write about?
The answer is brainstorming. Working as a team, you and your staff should develop an endless supply of areas to write about. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few techniques to get you started.
5 ways to generate blog ideas
1. Harness criticism
As a business owner, you’re bound to think your product or service is the best thing since sliced bread.
But it’s important to be self-critical and anticipate your customers’ potential criticisms before they make them. That way, you can create a blog post that counters them and shows how your product and service can be used to great effect.
2. Be someone else
The problem you face is that you’re too close to your business.
It’s time to think like a child. A child’s imagination is an incredible tool, so think as they would when writing about your product and create some fun and perhaps controversial blog posts.
It’s also easy to get complacent about how your products work, taking things for granted that may not be so obvious to others. Think about that and see if you can produce blog posts that clarify products and services and perhaps suggest using them in ways your readers may not have thought of before.
3. Metaphors
When planning your posts, see if you can create titles that use metaphors – such as ‘Starting a Business is Like Childbirth’. It will help create eye-catching titles that will make readers want to click and read more.
4. Drive curiosity
Don’t become too blinkered by your knowledge. Be curious and read around your subject. Learning new ideas and techniques will help strengthen your writing and, potentially, your product or service.
5. Ask your sales team
Your sales team are on the front line, fielding questions from potential clients. Find out what they’re being asked to see if any recurring areas could make great blog topics. Your customer service team should also be able to give you a similar insight.
6. Get out
Sitting in an office (or home office) and staring at a blank computer screen is not the best way to spark creativity.
Get out and about, talk to people, get some fresh air – a change in your environment will help trigger ideas and add a new dimension to your blogging.
None of this is ground-breaking stuff, but every now and then, it’s good to have a reminder of the basics.
Sally Ormond, Professional Copywriter – Briar Copywriting Ltd.