Conjuring up unique blog post ideas isn’t always a simple task. Self-doubt creeps in whenever promising possibilities are dashed by an endless wave of similar search results. But don’t discount the seeds of a valuable post before exploring it from every angle. You may discover that you absolutely do have something fresh and helpful to add to the existing conversation.
Every writer has their own perspective to share
How one person interprets a situation will not be exactly the same as another. So while several people may have written about the construction of compelling blog titles, I still spent time composing my take based on what I’ve learned from many sources over time and my personal experiences with online publications.
Some of my post may contain similar tried-and-true information but it uses my voice and viewpoint. The result will resonate with some audiences while another article might draw in an entirely different readership. Likewise, we have numerous educators with similar curriculums, but each uniquely distills that information.
When you start outlining your own post, does it feel like something you could chat about conversationally or does it feel like a rehash of existing content? How can you make it feel more original?
“No one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell.”
Charles de Lint
Use personal experiences to incorporate a story
To further solidify your work as something entirely new, ask yourself if there’s another way to tell your story. Readers tend to adore storytelling, especially if it’s personal. Sharing intimate details creates a connection that makes you feel real and trustworthy instead of sterile words on the screen. Stories are also more memorable and can leave a lasting impact.
Try starting your post with a relatable memory that happened to you or someone you know. How can you tie this story into your article’s goals? Perhaps you learned a universally understood lesson while hiking through a Christmas tree farm with your family as a child.
Or maybe a disappointing date met through a matchmaking app taught you something about screening new candidates. Bonus points for being able to make light of a bad situation! These stories are yours to share, and no one else can replicate them.
Narrow down your audience with a unique angle
It may seem counter-intuitive to adapt your work to a smaller audience, but sometimes it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond. When someone searches for ‘gingerbread cookies’ on Google, they’ll get over 35 million results. No matter how tantalizing your recipe, you’ll need some serious SEO to gain attention.
But what about ‘gingerbread cookies for diabetics’? 635,000 results. Plenty of competition, but a heck of a lot less than the first attempt. Anyone explicitly searching for sugar-free gingerbread recipes is more likely to find your post when you bring down the scope enough.
You’re also more likely to reach the right audience when writing with specific readers in mind. Going too broad might lead more visitors to your site, but less will stick around if their agenda doesn’t match up. Successful interactions that can lead to long-term followers requires putting quality ahead of quantity.
Other places to find fodder for new blog posts
Still not sure what direction to go in? Try polling your communities. Ask friends, family, and social networks what they think about a topic. What do they love or hate about it? What confuses them? You’re likely to uncover some viable ideas with just a few queries.
You can also try popular forums like Reddit and Quora. Read through comment sections and search for questions that you can answer in a blog post.
What’s currently trending, and how do you feel about it? Peruse Google Trends, Answer the Public, and Also Asked. These sites will show you popular searches that can spark unexpected ideas.
Remember to make your writing personal whenever possible. This creates distinct content infused with your personality. Ponder the questions below.
- What inspires and motivates you to write your blog?
- When did you first get excited about your niche?
- What have you learned since you started your blog?
- What are the best and worst things about your niche?
- What are your favorite resources/tools/products?
- What are common misconceptions, and what’s your take?
Step away from the blank screen and recalibrate with other activities if you’re still stumped. Take a break, read a book, go outside, or immerse yourself in anything else that turns down the pressure. Inspiration does not operate on a schedule and shows itself when the time is right.