Do you spend a lot of time looking at a blank WordPress screen? If so, I completely understand. You might decide that it’s time to write a blog post, open up WordPress, go to Posts, and click on “Add New.” What happens next though? Do you already know what you’re going to write about, or are you like one of the many people who sit in front of a blank screen trying to come up with a good idea?
I can relate. For years, that’s what I would do. I’d say to myself that I hadn’t posted on my blog in a while, and that it was time to write a post. It sounded simple. I’d start a new post. Then, I’d hear crickets. I’d have no idea at all what to post about. What’s the worst part? Whenever I wasn’t in front of my computer, I had a ton of ideas of what to write about! It wasn’t that I had no clue. I just didn’t have any at the time I wanted to write them.
There are many ways around this if you’re having the same issue. Hopefully one or more of these can help you the next time you’re stuck.
Use a Notebook to Write Down Blog Post Ideas
The first thing that can help a lot is to get a notebook. It’s best if it’s a small notebook that you can keep with you at all times. If not, a bigger notebook or a digital notepad on your phone or computer will work too.
Anytime you have an idea for a blog post, write it down. I mean it. If you’re like me, you probably think, oh of course I’ll remember this the next time I’m about to write something. It’s an obvious topic. Let me tell you something. You won’t. There’s something about that blank WordPress screen that makes ideas go out the window. You need to have it written down.
Then, any time you want to write a post, you have a bunch of ideas to choose from! You can decide what type of blog post you’re in the mood to write, and then get to it. It makes things so much easier. I really wish I started doing this sooner.
OK, you’re going to tell me that while this idea may help you in the future, it’s not going to help you today. Right now you don’t have a notebook full of ideas of what to post about, and you still want to create a post. You’re correct in that. So here are a few other ways you can get some ideas of what to post on your blog about.
Check out Quora
I like this one because you can come up with a lot of ideas in a really short time. Go to Quora. People ask a ton of questions there. Put in one of your keywords. See what kind of questions people are asking. Is there anything you can answer? Or can you get an idea of what to write about based on some of their questions? No? Then try typing in another keyword. You’ll see that people have a lot of different questions even with just one or two keywords. If you get an idea of what to write about here, I suggest you first write down any other ideas you get while you’re here. This will help start your notebook for the next time that you’re not sure what to write about.
There’s a bonus with this idea. Once you write a post that answers a question, go back to Quora and put a link to your blog post as one of the answers! Now not only did you get a great topic to write about, but you’re answering someone’s question and will hopefully get some traffic because of it.
What’s Happening on Your Social Media Accounts?
Want another suggestion? Go take a look at social media. Pick any one you want, as long as you’re on it and are following at least some people in your niche. Take a look at your feed. What are people talking about? Can you come up with a topic that joins in on the conversation, giving your point of view? Are people asking any questions that you can answer? If you don’t have any social media accounts, don’t worry you can still do this. Search for different topics in your niche. Look at what people are talking about, and see if it gives you any ideas.
What is Your Competition Talking About?
What about your competition? Look at some of their websites and take a look at what they’re writing about. Now, I do NOT suggest that you take their ideas and write about whatever they write about. But looking at what they have written about may give you an idea. I’ve also found that you may disagree with what someone says on their blog, and then you can write a post about why you feel the way that you do.
Go to a Bookstore or Library
If you’re often having issues figuring out what to write about, this is a great one…but you’ll need to do it ahead of time. Go to a bookstore or your local library. Flip through some of the books in your niche. Look at the names of the different chapters. See what they’re talking about. These are topics that people are interested in. These are things that people want to learn more about. These are also the things people are willing to spend money to read and learn about! So write about some of these topics. Looking in the magazine section is also often helpful. If you look at magazines in your niche, you’ll see some articles with well written headlines. Again, you don’t want to steal their ideas, but going through the magazines may help you come up with some great ideas of your own.
Look at Blog Comments
Often, you’ll find people have questions that they ask at the end of a blog post. This is a great way to get ideas of what to write about. First, check the comments on your own blog. Does anyone have a question that might be answered best in another blog post? Does anyone have any comments that make you want to write about something else? Don’t worry, even if you don’t get many blog comments, this can still work. Go look at the blog comments of some other people in your niche. See what kinds of questions they’re asking. See what kinds of comments they’re making. This might give you some ideas of what to write about as well.
Ask Your Audience
Any time any of us write a blog post, we’re just guessing about what our audience wants to hear about. There’s really only one way to find out exactly what they want to read about. Ask them! There are many ways to do this. Send an email to your list, asking them what they want to learn more about. Is your email list too small (or nonexistent?) Go to your social media and ask there. You can even create a small quiz that people can answer. You can give them multiple topics that you could write about, and let them choose which they’re interested in. You could also let them write in exactly what they want to know more about.
If you want to write a blog post, but don’t have a clue what to write about, you’re not alone. But now you have many ways to get ideas. The biggest takeaway should be this: Have a place to write down your ideas, so this doesn’t happen again! Once you start this (whether on paper or digitally) you’ll have a list to choose from every time that you want to post. You’ll add more ideas as time goes on…and often one idea will lead you to another one. Soon, looking at a blank screen on WordPress will be a thing of the past.
Enjoy,
