Five Ideas for Generating Purposeful Content
Written by John Cow on December 23rd, 2008
Blog writers face the same kinds of struggles and challenges that other writers do. It’s not easy, day after day, to come up with new ideas for your blog. Yet, if you only go through the motions and throw something up just so you’ve got a post for that day, it weakens your site and your credibility. So, what do you do when you have blog writer’s block?
I don’t have all the answers, but there are a few tips that have worked for me:
- Read other blogs: One thing that makes the blogosphere different from the rest of the Web is the dialogue that takes place, not just in the comments section, but across blogs in a given niche. Problogger may write something one day, and the next day you’ll see something by Copyblogger that expands on the idea. Don’t steal someone else’s idea, but find your own way to apply what’s out there.
- Take a break: Get out from in front of the computer. Go for a walk, breathe some fresh air or get some sunlight. If you want a real change in perspective, take your laptop to the mall or a Starbucks. You’ll be surprised what odd places your muse might be hiding.
- Rework an old idea: Peer back through your archives, maybe even back to your earliest posts. There’s a good chance most of your readers haven’t read those early posts. Take one of them and update it. Add some new information or insight you’ve gained since you first wrote the post.
- Outsource: Hiring someone to write your blog doesn’t have to be a long-term thing. Jump on one of the bidding sites and hire someone to give you a few weeks off while you regroup. Use that time to queue up some new posts, too.
- Stop whining and write: Sometimes, you’ve just got to look past your current situation and force yourself to type something – anything – to get started. Write a post or article. If it’s crap, don’t publish it. Instead, rework it two or even three times, whatever it takes to turn that post into gold.
None of these ideas guarantees you’ll come up with the next big thing in your niche, but they can’t hurt, either.
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One thing I love to do is open my copy of Micro Niche Finder, input a couple of different keywords relevant to my blogs niche, and then see what phrases people are searching for.
This usually gives me some great topics to write on, and the best thing is that I can target the ones that will get me some good SEO traffic
Is this
makes ur blog…. 
refreshing 
….Thanks for…..the ideas…
Can u post abt how to move our Blogspot blog to a wordpress….and How to host it on personal server….
Reading other blogs is always the number one way to find something to write about. You can also look in the comments section to see if any people have questions about what they read on other blog. You can then answer those questions and they post on your blog.
Good tip on reading the comments for questions, thanks.
There is many tips online about how to host your own wordpress.
If you need help - there is a generous guy who will help for fre and his name is Yan Sussanto : http://thoushallblog.com/free-wp-install-service/
hey Mr. Cow,
All good ideas for dealing with writer’s block. I’d also add to feel free to occasionally write about something outside of your niche, as long as it’s still interesting.
~ Steve, aka the don’t-niche-me-in trade show display guru
That is good idea of generating content. That is what i have been applying for newly launched love blog - Cupid Blogger Dot Com. Check it out
Thanks everyone. I need to stop whining and get to work. I get ideas but they peter out before they hit the computer.
I agree thoroughly. I found that after being glued to the computer for a long time I reached a point where I couldn’t take it anymore. I went to the gym and exercised all day almost every day for a week (two days I was snowed in) and I started to feel much better and much friendlier toward my laptop again. It makes a big difference.
I also like to work in a Starbucks, library, etc, whenever I have the chance. The change of environment really helps!
Rework on old idea, is a good idea, sometime with new refresh could actually generate more.
he..he..nice
Very informative. Thanks!
Wow this is great information about blog content.thanks for sharing your knowledge about blogging
That is good idea of generating content. That is what i have been applying for newly launched love blog - Cupid Blogger Dot Com. Check it out