10 ideas for easy blog topic generation

Sep 17, 2015 | Blogging

Kevin Fouche

10 ideas for easy blog topic generation

Posted by Kevin Fouche, Pixel Fish Director

Kevin handles the planning, design, launch and training of every website that Pixel Fish creates. He ensures that every website is highly engaging and aligned with our client’s goals. With over 20 years of design and web industry experience to draw upon, Kevin aims to pass on his knowledge to our clients and like-minded businesses wanting to grow their online presence.

Blogs are effective ways to garner attention and connect with people. However, generating new ideas for blog topics doesn’t always come easy. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to keep inspiration for ideas flowing. Lets look at 10 ideas for easy blog topic generation.

Have a read of our list below and see if it helps you with your upcoming blogs for your business website.

10 ideas for easy blog topic generation

1. Revitalise Old Posts

If you have old blog posts, consider elaborating on or updating the information. Take old, evergreen blog posts and add graphics, turn them into videos or podcasts, or rewrite them with a different audience in mind. Expand on any information that you previously touched upon, and update or bring a new light on topics you’ve already covered.

2. Glean Ideas From Comments and Questions

Have a look at comments and questions on past posts. What are your potential customers asking you? There’s a good chance you can find instances in which someone is reaching for more information. You might find a question about credit card debt on a post about preparing financially for home ownership. Turn that into a blog post about clearing credit card debt, the best cards to have in your wallet, or how to transfer debt between credit card companies.

3. Brainstorm/Create Off-shoot Posts

There are many mind-mapping programs out there, but a pen and paper do just as well. Write down a possible idea, circle it, and then create satellite topics. If your initial idea is a review of the best dog leashes, possible satellites could include a list of the best dog walking practices (weather, access to water, time of day, distances), or a review of local dog parks. Create as many solid satellite ideas from main ideas as you can. You don’t have to use them all, but the further you go with it, the more possibilities you’ll see.

4. Turn topics upside down

We’ve all seen blog posts about the best practices for X, or the easiest ways to get X done, but we don’t often see how not to do things. For a real estate blog, we might come across posts that say how best to prepare a home for market. Instead, write a post that points out the things we shouldn’t do, mistakes to avoid when selling.

5. Create Lists

List posts are popular for a reason. They are easy to read, give quick shots of information, and the breakup of text prevents readers from tiring or losing interest. They also provide foundation for future posts. With a list post titled, “Five Reasons to Love X,” you can elaborate on each point separately and have five new posts.

6. Keep a List of Reusable Prompts

You can use the same prompts not only as formats for blog posts, but also as idea generators. Take the list post for example. A prompt that reads, “Five Reasons to Do X,” can become, “Five Reasons to Clean Your Refrigerator Bi-annually,” or, “Ten Reasons to Keep Employees Happy.” The same goes for all prompts. Fill in the blanks with different information and you will have countless post ideas. Some examples are, “The Best Thing About X,” or, “The Fundamentals of X,” or even, “Facts and Myths of X.”

7. Go Back Basics

As an industry insider, it’s your job to know all there is about your industry. Think back to a time when you didn’t know. What information would have been useful to you as a professional and as a consumer? Offer a little industry insider information. This builds trust, it keeps readers interested, provides solutions, and the idea possibilities are endless.

8. Create Link Posts

Sometimes, you don’t have to have an idea at all. Once you’ve got a solid blog built up, put focus back on those older posts. Go through your blog and gather up a list of posts. Create a new post that briefly tells readers why they should visit these in particular, namely what they can learn from them, and link to them.

9. Use the News

Press releases, trending news, technology rumours, and case studies are all gold mines for blog post ideas. The more you read, the more you can cater your blog posts to current events. How does this information affect you and your customers? Delve deep into what people are talking about, tie it to your business, and be a part of it.

10. Take a Peek at Others in Your Field

Find out what others in your field are talking about. What’s your take? Create a post that argues for or against it. You don’t have to mention your competitor, just the subject. The point is not to steal ideas; simply expand on them, agree or disagree with them, or simply use them as the centrepiece of a brainstorm.

In just a few minutes, it’s possible to generate numerous blog post ideas. Spend a little time reading, writing, and revisiting. Using these tips, you’ll find a steady stream of new topic ideas and fresh takes on past ones.

Hubspot have a terrific ideas generator tool you can use.

For more information about generating blog post ideas, please contact us.

Further reading: What is Blogging? And how can it grow my business?

Further Information
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