Regular content does wonders for your profile and blogging frequently is often found on our to-do list. However coming up with topics and ideas can feel un-natural and just plain painful. Here are some quick tools you can use to make it pain-free and fluid.
What do you want to be known for?
It may feel like a big bold question to be starting with but by taking a moment to be clear on the solutions you deliver and the topics and issues you want to be known for it can help focus your blogging and makes sure your content has a purpose, making sure it is working for your profile rather than feeling ad-hoc and inconsistent.
What gets you talking?
Think about the news pieces that get you listening, topics that you enjoy talking about at networking events, publications you reach out for and you go to sources of updates, industry news and opinion. If it is something that would interest you, it is something that would interest someone else. You don't have to be the industry expert or have a controversial stance on a topic. Sharing your take on things and keeping it simple can be just as valuable.
Who are you writing for?
It is key to keep your audience front of mind when writing posts or blogs. And thinking about writing for a specific person will help generate all sorts of blog topics and ideas. Whether you have a type of business in mind and you're writing about challenge you know they want to solve, or referrer or introducer that you know is keen to get the latest on an industry issue or a frequently asked question you get from a number of clients, your contacts and network are an ever giving source of inspiration for blog topics!
Tip:
This quick approach to organising your blog topics and thoughts can work for teams and even large organisations as well as for you as an individual. And it will grow and develop the more you try it and find out what works for you and your brand.
Here’s how to do it:
Create a document or anywhere to capture your ideas.
3 columns or boxes with the headings: Issues & Solutions, Publications, People
Under Issues and Solutions get down as many topics as you can think of
Under Publications, list your go to industry blogs, news sites etc.
Under People list contacts and individuals you'd write content for
Save it close by & use it as your blog prompt.
Tip:
Follow the process - just get those ideas down. Don't get stuck trying to create fully formed creative and witty blog titles at this stage. There are no right or wrong answers, don't worry if you put down an issue, topic, publication or audience type that later doesn't feel right. The more you use the prompt sheet the more you'll weed out the ones you're not using. You'll change and evolve it as you go.
Comments