The truth is, you will not be motivated to write that blogpost every single week. Motivation is fleeting. Some days you have the motivation but you do not have the ideas.

Lack of content ideas plagues many writers. Whether it is for your personal blog, small business blog or a client blog, you will need a system to generate content ideas.

If you are one of those people who struggle with content ideas, try pre-planning your posts. I will give you a system that has worked for me to come up with content ideas. I realised that we cannot always trust that we will be inspired enough to come up with great ideas on the day that we write the post. To avoid the situation where you want to write but do not know what to write about, try the following.

Step 1. Create a content/ editorial calendar

You can do this on a blank notebook, Excel., Google Sheets, Google docs, Notion etc. I have mine on Notion.

 

Step 2: Set aside a brainstorm day every month.

Use a proactive approach where you plan everything ahead of time. Set aside approx 1-2 hours where you will brainstorm on content. It could be the first of every month in the afternoon. In this brainstorm, fill in key ideas in your content calendar.

 

Step 3. Researching content ideas

Take some time to research content ideas. Note down some topics. See how people are approaching ideas. This exercise is meant to inspire you. Remember not to copy or plagiarize people’s work but to add your own spin to it.

Here are some ways you can do it.

  • Look at the questions you get asked a lot
  • Google search suggestions
  • Trending topics
  • Talk about your service/ product
  • Use answerthepublic
  • Do Google searches
  • What are people in your niche talking about that’s getting traction?
  • Use AI to brainstorm and pick what works for you.
  • Use Pinterest and other social media

Step 4: Make your content calendar a working document.

Your content calendar should be something that you can even access in the night from your phone. Add ideas as they come to you. Some ideas come to us briefly, and we forget about them very quickly. Remember to note them down in your calendar. remember not to bombard yourself with so many ideas.

Step 5: Try the themed month system

Having themed months or even weeks can help you create an easy way to create content. It helps you get out of your head.

Step 6: Start small

Start by putting out a post every week. Start small. My blogging challenge allows you to do that sustainably.

Step 7: Experiment with these 4 content pillars

Those are some of the tips that I use to help me never run out of ideas.

Meanwhile, you can catch up with me on Twitter (X) and join the community here.

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Wecome to my new blogging challenge!

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