Some consider it the modern-day mystery of the sphinx: how to decide what to blog about?
Incidentally, Google suggested this keyphrase to me as I began to type into the search box. This may be based off of my previous search behavior, or it may be because enough people have dejectedly turned to the web in times of frustrating writer's block.
Whatever the case, it definitely jumpstarted my brain for today's blog topic.
As it happens, the SERPs are quite a resourceful place for blogging inspiration; you ask a question with your keywords, search engines provide answers, and those answers can be the springboard towards a shiny new blog post.
But there are other places you can find blogging inspiration! Here are the five places I turn to when writer's block settles in...
1) Consider What's Trending
Twitter has blossomed into an invaluable business tool for demographic research, brand management, and social media marketing. But above all, it's become an undeniable "Mecca" for interest-driven interaction and conversation.
When you're stumped, head over to search.twitter.com and peruse the trending topics, or do a basic keyword search to find out what people are saying about this, that, and the other thing.
From here, you can pick a topic that piques your interest and is obviously abuzz at the moment. It's a great way to compare the size of the potential audience with the relevancy of the topic.
2) Ask the Audience
Speaking of audience, there's nothing like going straight to the source for inspiration. As I said, Twitter is a powerhouse for community. If you're on Twitter for business-related reasons, then we can assume your Twitter community and your blog community are one in the same.
When you're fresh out of blog ideas, ask your followers what they want to read about. Free, genuine input from those who care- that's a beautiful thing. An added bonus is that the resulting blog post will be a shareable hat-tip to your audience, for your audience.
3) Stand on the Shoulders of Giants
Check out the recent posts published by your favorite bloggers. Anything in particular that strikes your fancy? Write a response blog, or extrapolate on the blogger's main points. Be sure not to plagiarize and to appropriately give credit where credit is due with links back to the original article.
By writing a response to a favorite blogger's post, you'll be taking the pain out of choosing a topic as well as letting that blogger know you exist; that you dig their stuff enough to write an homage of sorts. It can be a real head-turner.
4) Do a Complete 180°
Pick a topic you're comfortable with or passionate about; now, take a polar opposite approach to it. This could mean exploring the controversies of Black Hat SEO, whereas you are an affirmed organic SEO-er, or taking a rival's school of thought and explaining your own.
This approach might shed new light for your readers, and get them thinking about the same old something from a different angle. If nothing else, it will require you to dust off your objective writing voice, which can help strengthen your blogging skills overall.
5) Take a Mental Break
When all else fails, tune out for a while. Take a walk around the block or around the office; recharge with a favorite beverage, or find your zen with some funky music.
When it comes to writer's block, more often than not the problem isn't that you're devoid of creativity- it's that you're overworking your brain. Take a step back from the situation, let your head clear, and the answer will present itself sooner or later.
These are the ways I overcome my writer's block, and most of the time, they work like a charm. How do you decide what to blog about? Share your insight below and let's start the conversation!
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