Writer’s block, lack of inspiration… whatever you want to refer to it as, there are times as a creator that you may just not know what to say or write about on your platform.
I’ve experienced these challenges in the past, too, but I’ve developed some strategies and turned to a few tools that have become sure-fire ways to think of new ideas that resonate with my audience and perform well on Pinterest and in search engines.
Below are 7 strategies I’ve used for coming up with content that resonates with my audience!
[P.S. If you’re looking for more personalized advice, I also offer one-on-one Blogger Consulting Services]1. Ask Your Audience
Sounds simple, and it is. The next time you’re talking about something on social media — whether it’s hemp fabric or selling through consignment shops — ask your audience: is there anything else you’d like to know about [insert topic here]? Would this be something you’d be interested in learning more about? Do you have any questions about [insert topic here]?
2. Listen to the Common Barriers or Concerns
Another way to get insight from your audience is to simply listen. Sometimes, you don’t even need to ask — your audience might be asking you questions like: what brands are good for ___? How do you ___? Ugh, I can never ___! It’s so hard to find ____! If your audience hasn’t expressed this to you directly, take a look at Facebook Groups in your niche or look at comments on posts of publications, influencers, or brands in your niche.
Note: Though it may start off productive, spending time in the comment sections can quickly lead you down a rabbit hole. (Speaking from experience here!) So, it’s probably useful to set a timer if you decide to venture into this direction!
Finally, checking out reviews of books in your niche or products in your niche may also prove to be a source of inspiration for future content.
3. Watch Videos, Listen to Podcasts, and Attend Panels
Getting to listen to panel discussions or hear from experts in your field of interest is a great way to inspire some ideas about hot topics in your space. Usually, people working “on the ground” or working within a company structure don’t share their insider knowledge as often since they are not “influencers” and may not have a big audience online. But they often have TONS of valuable information and perspectives to share. They are seeing the trends and hearing from customers firsthand. These experts are also often well-read on industry news and well-informed about what is happening “behind the scenes”.
For instance, in the conscious fashion world, Corporate Sustainability Officers might have insights on things like which innovative fabrics are coming next to the market, what percentage of their sales are recommence, or what fashion designers are planning to do to reduce the carbon emissions of their production.
4. Think Back to Your Experiences
Chances are, you’ve been living the certain lifestyle you are talking about on your blog, podcast, or YouTube channel for longer than you’ve been writing or speaking about it. Think back to your journey and ask yourself: what challenges or obstacles did I experience? What questions did I have when I didn’t know much about this space?
5. Talk About These Topics With Friends or Colleagues
Conversations seem to always stir up new ideas! Start a conversation with another creator on Instagram over DM, chat about one of these topics with a friend who has some familiarity with the subject (or not… maybe you’ll glean some “outsider” insight), and/or join a networking group in your niche where you can meet some other people in your space to talk through these topics with.
6. Read Books Related to Your Niche
There’s no shortage of information online, but nothing compares to a solid, well-researched book. Nonfiction authors spend months diving deep into their respective topics to create educational content and typically look into research studies, scientific reports, and the like before and during their writing process.
Beyond this, the long-form nature of books allows authors to go so much deeper and further than what you’ll find on a blog or on YouTube. You’ll likely find glimpses of new ideas that are unique from what you’ve seen other creators in your niche talk about.
Another treasure trove for content ideas? The”References” pages in the back of the books you read! These pages typically go unnoticed, but they’re filled with information about reports, articles, and other great resources related to the topic you just read about.
7. Read and Watch Content Outside of Your Niche
You might be wondering how can watching a documentary or listening to a podcast about something completely different from my niche help me create content about my niche?
Hear me out on this one: some of the best ideas come out of the intersection of multiple fields. Maybe watching a dance movie as an ethical fashion blogger inspires you to think about sustainably-made leotards, tights, and costumes.
Or perhaps reading a psychology magazine as a low waste YouTuber inspires you to think about how you can grow the sustainable lifestyle movement by understanding human behavior.
The potential combinations — and content ideas — are endless!
How to Organize Your Ideas
Now that you have plenty of ideas listed out, it’s time to organize your content plans!
I love doing this through a content calendar in Google Sheets. I also find it immensely beneficial to have a promotion calendar that helps me keep track of when I’ll be sharing my content with my audience.
Looking for More Advice?
Check out this post for a step-by-step guide to starting a conscious blog and this post for tips on how to monetize a sustainable blog.
If you have more questions or want some one-on-one guidance, check out my Blogger Consulting Services.
Pin this post to reference later:
