What to Blog About: 3 Ways to Think of Blog Post Ideas

One of the hardest parts of professional blogging is determining exactly what to write about. Unless you are blogging as a hobby, you’re probably hoping to get website traffic and make some money.

If you’ve been writing a blog for a while, no doubt you’ve come across this problem and have researched blog post ideas. While writer’s block is a real issue for bloggers, it’s not only about coming up with ideas, but making sure you’re writing something worthwhile that your readers will want to read about and need.

The Process of Writing a Blog

Knowing what to write about is a process, and while new bloggers write about anything that comes to mind, professional bloggers know they must invest their time where they can maximize their ROI. When choosing blog topics, it is important to keep in mind the following factors:

• Think about your audience’s interests, problems, needs, and wants.
• Time you need to invest to create the content.
• The way you want to angle or position your post for maximum effect.
• What your competitors are writing about and how the industry is reacting.
• What kind of post has resonated with your readers and performed well in the past.
• Type of post to create (how-to, list, review, infographic, etc.).

While all these points can play a role in choosing your blog’s content, there are other more universal forces that can make any blog successful.

Follow Your Passion

Consider for a second that the blogosphere is like the watercooler or break room in an office. There’s plenty of noise and small talk here and there, but there are also meaningful conversations from time to time. Think about the types of conversations that get an entire office involved and how even the most quiet or reserved colleague can get excited about certain topics.

This is because people are more apt to interact, share, or comment when they are passionate about the topic or feel emotionally connected to it in some way. The same concept can be applied to blogging. Write about subject matter you are passionate about and you won’t have much trouble figuring out how to write a blog post.

Because your passion will show through your writing, you will make your readers see why you love something and the importance it plays in your life and possibly theirs. Furthermore, your openness and personality may help you form a stronger connection with them.

Knowledge Is Power–The Value of the How-To Post

Knowledge goes hand-in-hand with passion. Most people who are passionate about something are also pretty knowledgeable about it because they invest the time reading, learning, and doing it. Being recognized as an expert in a specific niche may be the fastest way to become a successful professional blogger.

And how do experts showcase their insights and valuable know-how? The “How-To” post is arguably the most powerful type of content you can create because it addresses a problem or challenge the user is having. It is the ultimate form of value and will certainly help you market your blog to industry leaders and followers.

Inch Wide, Mile Deep–Take a Broad Topic and Make It Specific

We’ve all heard the saying “the devil is in the details.” It isn’t enough anymore to blog about the broad strokes of a concept such as “save money,” “be a good person,” “be happy,” or “build a career.”

Broad topics are acceptable in some situations, but the best way to set yourself apart is by developing your own identity, thoughts, and ideas. Regurgitating common knowledge will ensure you’re forgotten. Sharing a unique perspective, strategy, or ideology that resonates with readers and characterizes you as a “thought leader” will get you noticed.

If you are having a hard time differentiating yourself or your blog, consider reading your competitors’ blogs and finding content or advice you disagree with. While you can build a lot of exposure with a controversial post, be careful not to offend anyone, harshly criticize another blogger, or discuss emotional topics such as politics, religion, etc. While certain types of controversy can bring positive exposure, other kinds can tarnish your reputation.

The Bottom Line–Be Yourself

No matter how many blogs are published, there is only one “you” and nobody else looks at the world in exactly the same way you do. Put your own spin on good blog ideas and make them incredible. By studying your field and keeping up with other blogs, you can determine what they are missing and the issues they may not be addressing.

If you ever read an article and have a question and can’t seem to find the answer, research and create a blog post that answers the question. More than likely, there are thousands of people online asking the same question.

What other tips do you have for bloggers searching for ideas to write about? What has worked for you in the past? Let us know in the comment section below.