Running Out Of Topics
So it seems like a lot of blogs these days are writing lots of posts about things that really aren’t too related to their niche. I dont like going to a blog to read about a dinner you had or nothing but reviews or random Youtube videos and its okay once in a while but if you feel as though you’re running out of ideas then maybe you need to start looking elsewhere. Obviously, I’ve been on a hiatus lately but classes are about to begin so I’ve been a bit involved with that and having class at night definitely makes me very sleepy during the day.
The idea is that when you start feeling that you have nothing much to blog about, people start moving to other topics and thats okay every once in a while but you have to try to stay on topic. You have to look elsewhere for ideas and I’m here to help you with that. Here are some ideas:
1) Other Blogs - The best place that I get ideas from are, you guessed it, other blogs. Its kind of like market research. Its like when one company is noticing stagnant growth, it looks at other companies that are performing better and see what they do right. When I feel like I’m out of ideas, I try to get ideas from other blogs. This DOESNT mean that you plagiarize and steal but that you try to be inspired by other blogs and other topics. See posts that generate a lot of buzz, notice what niche is focuses on and think to yourself whether your readers would like to read about it as well. Put it in your own words with your own style. Looking across other blogs can help you come up with new posts and still be unique and interesting.
2) Reader Feedback – The second best place for post ideas is to look to your readers. Sometimes your readers can suggest certain post topics but you can also ask them for their opinion on certain posts and they can tell you if they want to know more about similar or other unexplored topics. Other times, you can see how readers respond to certain posts and which posts generate the most buzz. That will help you pick the focus of your post and can guide you based on reader response and feedback.
3) Current Topics/News - The third best place for post ideas is to look at current news topics or events that affect the blogosphere. Current topics are always interesting because its all about the issue of proximity. The issue of proximity can be best described as issues that are more interesting because they affect us directly or closely. These current events and news topics are a great source of inspiration because readers will always be interested in such posts.
So hopefully if you were wondering what to blog about, that these suggestions might help you out. I have to apologize for having a hiatus already but it seems like quite a few blogs are suffering from the hiatus. Hope you guys are well and if you have any suggestions for posts, do let me know how I can guide you!
Simple yet an informative post Enkay. I REALLY need to refocus my blog as it’s going in all directions.
In addition to your post though, adding a poll related to your niche or asking a simple question like “What would you like to see more?” also is an extremely easy way to get reader feedback. People seem to like choosing a radio button and clicking vote over writing a comment or sending a message through the contact page.
Some other ideas that may help you out when you are running out of things to talk about is quest post or question and answer post
I see this a lot in the mainstream media, when they’re trying to squeeze as much story out of a particular event. So they start to look for different angles. Guess we bloggers can do that as well. Look at the same topic from all sorts of strange angles, so the topic can be discussed in a fresh manner.
You can always take ideas from some of your other blog posts and create a post out of that one simple idea. Another thing is to make a post out of any questions the reader has. It is likely that other people have the same questions.
I would love to see more SEO related posts and definitely more contests.
I can’t agree more. So annoyed if a blog throws random stuff on it. If you need filler get a guest to post.
Looks like this is lot in the thought media, when they’re trying to force as much story out of a particular event.
i Guess v bloggers can do that as well….
Actually I don’t really see wrong on writing post that goes out of the blog’s niche. But maybe not too many.
I feel that from day 1 in the IM/blogging niche you are stuck for topics to write about, as basically everything has already been written – that’s why its good to branch out a bit or talk about something a little more personal
Its always good to do research once you run out of topics, looking at other blogs related to your niche is a great way but make you don’t copy the exact article
The best place to get ideas is to check out what others are writing recently. This should give you enough pointers to start you own!
I agree with Ben Pei – watch other blogs, watch google alerts, read the news – you’ll have lots of ideas soon.
Hi,
Well,yeah, but only if the news,alerts etc are relevant to your blog subject.
I have to say though, respect to anyone who manages to keep a blog going. It’s REALLY DIFFICULT. At least, I find it difficult. Maybe I’m just not a natural diarist…
Hope you get some inspiration, Enkay!
Zander
for me iam using google adwords so i can generate some ideas, thanks for sharing!