Never Run Out Of Content Ideas Again

by KaitAU
0 replies
Coming up with a continuous stream of content ideas is really, really hard. Especially if you're not a creative person. As content marketing becomes more and more prevalent and crucial within the marketing world, it's important that we all really dig deep and figure out a way to deliver.

I wanted to compile my own ideas, along with those I've picked up from others, to create a resource for reference in the future, when anyone is feeling stuck.


Before you start creating content, you really need to strategize and decide what the purpose of the content is. Who are you creating it for, and what do you expect it to achieve? It's important that you're creating content that your ideal customer perceives as valuable, and is genuinely interested in. Once you've gone through the process of creating your customer profile, and clearly defining what the desired outcomes and expectations are, we can start creating content around those principles.

One of the most powerful tools you can use when it comes to creating content is an editorial calendar. This is something completely free and unique to your own needs -- you can literally just use your own regular calendar and create an editorial calendar for yourself. You create weekly ideas, topics, plans and even titles so that each day or week, you know well in advance what the plan is, and what you're going to write about it. This allows you to create content in a meaningful and structured way, and saves the frustration and panic of not knowing what to write about.

You do have to register to download it, but HubSpot has a free template that can get you started here, if the idea of using your own calendar doesn't excite you.

Once you figure out how to manage your calendar, and decide on your output level, you can create ideas around topics and subjects.

For example, I've decided that I want to create two pieces of content each week. I am an established Landscaper, and have started completed medium-sized renovations. My target clients are 35-55 year old homeowners. They are evenly distributed amongst men and women, with middle to upper incomes. They are interested in DIY information for their homes and properties, but always hire out for the bigger projects.

Based on what I know about them, I am confident they would appreciate content that offers DIY tips, for both inside and outside the home. They'd enjoy videos and lessons on how to complete small projects themselves, and resources to help them select a good contractor for larger jobs. This is the information I am going to use to create my calendar. I will come up with 2 things each week based around these parameters.

My first post will be: 10 Tips On Keeping Your Lawn Green This Summer
My second post will be: Things To Look Out For When Hiring A Contractor
My third post will be: How A Can Of Paint Can Transform Your Home
My fourth post will be: How To Transform Your Bathroom In One Weekend


All of these pieces are content are topics my ideal client would find useful and want to read. It's not sales content -- it's content that will engage, build trust, and allow me to position myself as the industry expert. Those are the objectives I clarified in the early strategy stages. It's important that you can loop back and confirm that your content matches your initial objectives.

In my editorial calendar, I've created these titles in advance, so each week I already know what I need to write about. I've taken the guess-work out of it, and I'm now creating content in a structured manner that will help me achieve my content marketing goals.

Now, the fun part is coming up with your ideas. Here are some below that should help you get started and keep you going for a while.

Ideas for creating content:

-Create a list of benefits for your products or services. If you offer legal services, create a list of positive outcomes -- such as why hiring a lawyer when purchasing a home is beneficial.

-Create a list of things to avoid or watch out for. For example, if you're a digital marketer, you could write about things to watch out for when hiring an agency.

-Create Top 10 or Top 20 lists.

-Create a weekly theme, such as a weekly FAQ. Answer questions that have been posed to your by clients or team members.

-Offer a daily tip.

-Feature success stories from your clients -- this is powerful content that also serves as a testimonial.

-Predict future trends in your industry or local market.

-Create an "In The News" weekly feature where you summarize all the important news around your industry.

-If you have anything coming up, like a sale or promotion, write about it.

-Write about events after they've happened, such as trade shows or charity dinners -- this will give your clients an inside view of the company.

-Write about "behind the scene" things customers don't get to see, like what's happening with your employees or your latest buying trip.

-Conduct surveys or interviews amongst your customers, readers or industry experts and write about the results.

-Reach out to guest bloggers and create some partnerships. Ask them for their suggestions.

-Demonstrate how to use your products.

-Create "How-To's" that are industry related -- if you sell cars, maybe create a video that shows people how to change a flat tire.

-Repurpose and reuse your old content creatively. You can compile shorter blog posts into a complete guide, or turn older posts into videos.

-Create content around "Did You Know" or industry misconceptions.

-Articles about "Then and Now" -- for example, if you build houses, you could create content about building codes and best practices. How have things changed over the last 20 years?

-Compare your own products or services and help people to understand the key differences between them.

-Feature local industry experts or upcoming businesses -- extend the olive branch and position yourself as an industry leader who wants to help others succeed.

-Create in-depth guides and/or White Papers. This is another great way to repurpose old content; you may have already done the bulk of the work.

-Pay attention to search trends from social media and Google Analytics. Writing about current events will always attract eyeballs. Discussing recent events through a live platform is another way to do this.

-Don't forget about video -- many of these ideas can be done as a video, rather than a blog post.

-Create infographics out of long-form content or anything that has a few numbers. People love infographics and it's an excellent way to turn numbers into a visual experience, that will be enjoyed.

What would you add to this list for ideas?
#content #ideas #run

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