29 June 2012

Don't Know What To Write? Tips For Finding Blog Content

This post is written by contributing author Genevieve Brazelton. 

Coming up with blog content is one of the biggest struggles for many of my clients. I often tell them they’re making it too hard, but they roll their eyes at me as if to say, “For you maybe, but I’m a soapmaker, not a blogger.”

So in an effort to help make writing your posts easier I’ve got a few quick tips for finding content, because really, it shouldn’t be torture to write your posts. 

Photo: mugfaker




Write What You Know

Or at least what interests you. The first question I ask when someone tells me they’re struggling with finding content is: What information do you seek out regularly, regardless of work or what do you talk about to anyone who will listen? Are you obsessed with cute cat videos? Are you always up on the latest fashion trends? Do you read every article you can find on natural fiber dying?

Even if it’s unrelated to your work this information is part of who you are and what makes you different. Share the information you find, or your opinion about what the conversations that are happening, or how these ideas actually affect your work.

Let Readers Get To Know You

When buying any sort of creative or handmade item, customers almost always want to know more. They want to know what inspired you, how you made it, or how you got as amazingly talented as you are. The story behind the item is endlessly fascinating to most. Share your inspiration through words or images, document the process of making and tease it out over a week or a month, or share your struggle with a new design or learning a new process.

Use Other Blog Posts

I’m going to bet you read other blogs on a somewhat regular basis and they most likely create some sort of response in you. Maybe you gain insight on a part of your business that you’ve been struggling with, you get sparked to try something new, or you discover something new. Write out your reaction as a post all your own.

The bonus with this is you can often start a conversation with the blogger who inspired you. Send them a quick note with a link to article, they’re certain to be flattered.

Create A Series

Maybe you have a big idea that you want to explore, but keep putting it off because you feel you don’t have the time. Break it down into smaller pieces, it gives you content for a longer period of time and becomes less daunting.

Another approach is to find something easy that you can do on a regular basis without much effort. It might be sharing your favorite internet photo finds for the week or your current design crush or the books you wish you were reading.

And since inspiration can strike at any moment keep a running list of ideas that you’d like write about and make sure to jot down a few notes about where the idea came from just in case you don’t remember when you get back to it. Also setting up Google alerts is a great way to help keep things fresh.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who always knows what to write share some of your ideas in the comments.


Genevieve Brazelton endlessly researches the newest ideas in creative and social media marketing so you don’t have to. Genevieve’s strength is her keen outside perspective and sometimes infuriating logic that puts structure to dreams and lays out paths to goals. She is also the business side of Lightbox SF. Read more about her here.
Connect to Genevieve via twitter or facebook.

23 comments:

  1. Great tips!! I'm stopping by from "Blogging Buddies"
    Thanks
    Angie
    godsgrowinggarden.blogspot.com

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    1. So glad you found us Angie!

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  2. Great tips! These are pretty much the things I do. I also keep a list of blog topics at the bottom of my to-do list, so when I inevitably get stumped or have writer's block, I can just pick something from there and get to work.

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    1. Keeping a running list of blog ideas is one of the best things I learned to do. Then having them in an easy to access area, even better.

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  3. Great tips! I for sure run out of ideas...and sometimes...photos I want to share. But mostly...I think I get burned out. With having a 'regular' full time job and facilitating women's writing circles...and six grandchildren to love on...I have been just plain worn out...but these ideas will maybe make my blogging easier and I won't have to take long breaks to 'recover' some of my energy. Thanks!

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    1. It's really easy to get burned out writing, especially if you've got a full plate on top of blogging, but I honestly think many of us make it much harder than it needs to be. Don't be afraid to give yourself a break or write about what seems easy. I've found that many of the posts I've written that felt like I was slacking or not giving it my all were some of the most popular. I think it's because I wasn't trying too hard.

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  4. Awesome tips! Thank you! Found you through Etsy! :)

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  5. Wow. Great tips! I just started my blog, so I'm not quite out of ideas yet. I had a preconceived notion of what I would write and when, but I've had to let that go so I could write about things my friends and colleagues were asking me. They have been my biggest source of inspiration!

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    1. Answering questions that come up often is a great way to approach blog writing. You're providing information that people are looking for and it's usually an easier to form your thoughts around answering a specific question. Keep at it!

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  6. Thanks for the tips. We can all use help at some point :)

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    1. Yes we can! Happy I was able to provide a little.

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  7. Excellent tips, especially the one about letting readers get to know you. I need to do more of that. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Generally customers or potential customers want one of two things from a blog, useful information or to find out more about who you are or what you do. So don't be afraid to share too much, do whatever feels comfortable to you and the right people will love it.

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  8. Really great tips! Great guest post. =)
    ~Kim
    from Blogging Buddies
    http://2justByou.blogspot.com

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  9. Great tips. Really, sometimes I ran out of things to say or get too lazy to write a blog. One thing that is important is- giving picture or images in the blog that are relevant..

    Carrying my camera or just the smart phone and taking quick pictures for my blog is a habit I am trying to form. Thanks for sharing your tips. Dita.

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    1. Pictures help greatly and sometimes a picture with a quick description is all you need for a post.

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  10. I love these tips...I think you are right on... if we are excited about something that we love and could be useful to someone else... why not share it? Thank you!!!
    Deb

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    1. Exactly Deb! It's all about connecting and engaging. If your excitement comes through, you'll definitely catch people's attention.

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  11. Whenever I'm low on inspiration, I love reading other blogs. That always reminds me of the things I find interesting and then suddenly the ideas are flowing again!

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  12. Take part in a meme!
    I love Alphabe-Thursday.
    memes for every day of the week on Gemma's Meme-Aholics

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  13. I don't know what to write a blog about, any suggestions?

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