Blogging is a great way of speaking to your audience, be that existing customers or new ones. But sometimes it can be difficult to keep things flowing. Writer’s block is a real thing, and overcoming it can be daunting. Kate and I write for the blog here at Eco Web Hosting. We don’t have an exact science to it – we just bounce ideas around and see what sticks. Here are some top tips for coming up with new blog content ideas.
Raid your inbox and support tickets
You might already have a goldmine of ideas to tap into. Over time, your customers and prospects will have sent you messages. Among these might be some specific questions or requests. If you see a similar theme popping up, chances are it’s content-worthy and you can start writing about it. Covering a popular topic on your blog opens it up to a wider audience and can act like a hook for new business. Give it a try!
See how people are finding your website
People will find your website in many ways. And of course, one of the most popular ways will be via a search engine. Using free software like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, you can view which keywords visitors are using to find your website. These keywords can then be dropped into blog titles, along with the content itself. This simple approach makes your content more relevant and more likely to be ranked by search engines. If you’re looking for deeper insights, there are a wide range of payware options too.
Ask your customers what’s on their mind
Your very own customers are a great resource for coming up with new content. Drop them a friendly email, pick up the phone, or send a DM on social. Ask what’s on their mind – what are they trying to solve? What have they worked on recently? What blogs are they reading? Gathering feedback like this will spark new ideas, and enables you to cover topics that like-minded people might enjoy. Your customer might even be happy to be mentioned in your article which is great for building trust with the reader.
Pay someone to do it for you!
A real alternative could be to outsource some or all of the writing. Services like Upwork and Freelancer allow you to tap into a bustling community of writers (and more). Just set yourself a budget, shortlist some freelancers, and get in touch. Be ready to give them an introduction to your business, and most importantly, make sure you draw up a solid brief. Be as specific as you can, detailing what you want, what you don’t want, and some examples of content you like. Also, to keep things on track, set a deadline for review, and for publishing. With all that covered you can get your new writer to work!
Got a proven tip that works for you every time? Join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
(Featured photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash)
