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A short list to help the ideas keep coming.
Sometimes you just want to create something. An article to post. A video to film. A podcast episode to record. And sometimes the inspiration is there, waiting for us to run off into the sunset with it and create. Other times, not so much. This is for the other times.
So let’s jump right in.
1. Freewrite
Or as I like to call it, make a list.
Make a list of all the things on your mind or all of the things/topics you would like to create content around. Lately, I’ve been writing a lot about work culture and mental health. I have not been bothering to do keyword research or see what others are talking about that is popular.
I tend to post a lot following this step. I like to write when inspiration strikes me or when I feel I have an insightful view on a topic that I want to share my opinion on.
However, I know that this way of writing may not work out for me in the long run, as I do my best to be consistent and build a brand or portfolio of content that is cohesive and makes sense.
This leads me to my next point,
2. Play Around with Google Autocomplete
If doing keyword research gives you an immediate headache, try visiting Google and begin to type in something about your topic.
For example, I have been toying around with the idea of starting a houseplant blog as I cannot seem to stop buying them. So I have been brainstorming ideas for articles to give myself a head start.
So I began a search for “best plants” to see what other people are searching for.
As you can see, people are looking for the best plants for various rooms in their homes as well as plants for fish, hummingbirds, and to repel bugs.
Understanding what people are searching for on a given topic will help you not only write or produce a piece of content that will rank higher in search but will also help you establish yourself within your niche or content pillars.
3. Change Your Format
I am a writer through and through. I love words. But not everyone else does. Some people prefer to watch or listen.
Recently, I have also started implementing ways I can recycle some of my content for other platforms. Such as YouTube, for example.
This is a tricky one though, because recycling my content or even creating new content for other formats is out of my comfort zone. It’s not what I am used to doing. I have never had any interest in film, aside from watching movies, until I decided I wanted to grow my own brand/business.
Being versatile with your formats will also help you to learn new skills. As I learn more about creating content for YouTube, I am also learning how to edit videos. A skill that could open new doors when it comes to making money.
4. See What Others Are Writing
This one can be a bit tricky. Especially when it comes to writing on platforms like Medium.
I’ve mentioned before, that people on Medium seem to like writing an awful lot about Medium and Money. Often both together.
While I did find this a little discouraging at first, I’m still writing there. I like writing about topics that interest me, like books, mental health, productivity, and life lessons.
I particularly seem to enjoy sharing insights about my wins and losses and things I am learning along my journey. This is why I really like this piece of advice.
I like to see what others in the same space of topics are writing about. Earlier today I read a delightful piece by Elle Tay on Medium titled “A 5 Course Menu of Books With Pairings” and found it so interesting how she mixed a list of books with food/drink pairings.
Medium aside, I have also found an immense amount of pleasure when it comes to posting on my own blog. This is primarily because my blog is a blank slate, just waiting for me to fill up all of the empty space with whatever I want. I also love to read others’ blogs and see how I can put my own spin on more popular topics or ideas, to continue generating more content.
At the end of the day, we all have our own voice. It can be easy to feel as though everything has already been written and feel like an imposter. But the truth is that nobody has your voice. This took me a long time to accept.
Nobody thinks the same way you do or can create content the same way you do. So what’s holding you back?