Top 24 Ways to Get Content Ideas:
1. Look for Ways to Deliver Value
One of the primary reasons people go online is to get information. They could be looking up something more complex, like financial advice, or something as basic as how to unclog a toilet .Think about what information your users will find useful and let that steer your thinking.
2. Research Frequently Asked Questions
A couple of ways to look for questions relevant to your users is to scan online forums like Quora and Yahoo or to use the Google search bar. For example, if you search "consumer advertising distrust," Google will provide you with a list of questions (listed under the section " People also Ask"), such as "What are the 4 types of advertising?" This is a commonly searched question related to the keywords you've input — and a great basis for crafting content people will want to read or watch.
3. Identify Common Myths in Your Niche
Instead of answering questions, try debunking common myths. Exposing frequently believed falsehoods with well-researched, science-backed content is a way to establish yourself as an expert. Going against a commonly accepted norm is also an effective way to grab attention. Just be sure to back up your claims with stats and studies to drive home your expertise. Whether you need newsletter content ideas or blog content ideas, a "myth-busters" style approach can prove popular.
4. Dig Deeper With Keyword Analytics
This is especially significant for website content ideas. Instead of keyword popularity, advanced search engine optimization assesses keyword opportunities. Using a tool like SEMrush to check keyword difficulty allows for an in-depth analysis. For example, you can discover the top-ranking domains and business value for a keyword. Then, you can either target that keyword or look for more suitable alternatives. In some cases, it may make more sense to switch to lower-competition keywords. A good rule of thumb, if you choose to go this route, is to go after the low-hanging fruit first and then decide on additional keywords to target from there.
5. Check Out Competitors' Page Titles
You can also use keyword data to check out popular page titles and use these titles to guide content. You can then use our SEO Content Template to get the title of each page. With a list of all the page titles in front of you, you can see how frequently certain phrases occur. This can then inform potential titles when you're struggling with how to come up with content ideas.
6. Set Up a Group Brainstorming Session
Content idea generation shouldn't be a one-person job. Sit down with other people in your team to bounce around ideas and share inspiration. Not sure how to brainstorm content ideas? Get things started by asking people to share content they've liked, then start discussing what they liked about it. This can be a great way to come up with your own original concepts, whether you need content ideas for a blog or social media.
7. Collaborate With Your Clients
If you're coming up with content for a client rather than your own company or brand, involve them in the ideation process. It can be tempting to simply present them with polished final concepts, but beware that one of the most common reasons clients reject content ideas is that they feel they've had zero input in the process. Your clients are industry experts and will bring knowledge to the table that you can then transform into compelling material. Better industry insights lead to better ideas and, subsequently, better results.
8. Let Your Performance Data Inspire You
A major asset of content marketing is its measurability. For instance, you can see which of your influencer content ideas are doing well based on key performance indicators like shares and comments. The same tools that help you track data can also serve as a content idea generator. Our Link Building Tool helps you evaluate interest in potential content topics by seeing which ones generate the most links back to the site. Use this to steer content ideation.
9. Find Ways to Refurbish Top-Performing Content
If you've struck gold with a content idea, don't be afraid to recycle it. Take advantage of some content's versatility and adaptability. Let’s say you've identified key FAQs that your target audience searches. You can present each frequently asked question via a series of tweets, turn them into points for SlideShare, or present them in a video. Implement content creation ideas across multiple channels to reach a more diverse audience.
10. Hijack the Headlines
If you're feeling stuck on how to find content ideas, start reading the news. Piggybacking content off of current headlines is a great way to leverage a moment of popular public interest. It's also worth signing up for a daily news briefing so you get headlines delivered straight to your inbox. A quick skim is enough to show if there's something you can tap into for your daily content ideas. This saves time and ensures that you don't miss anything relevant.
Content Ideation Made Simple
This list provides a peek at some of the many ways you can come up with great content ideas. As you can see, there isn’t just one hard-and-fast method to get the job done. You will get plenty of great content ideas using quantitative methods, like analyzing SEO data or page titles. You can also get great content ideas from simply perusing public comments on an Instagram post, talking to a friend about a movie they liked, or even reading your own journal. Content ideas are everywhere. It's up to you to take that seed of inspiration and nurture it into content that makes people want to read, click, share ... whatever action you're looking for.
Regardless, the key to success in content marketing is human connectivity. That's exactly why you're just as liable to get a great content idea scouring keyword data as you are people-watching at a coffee shop. And this is where content marketing gets its value: Unlike traditional advertising, which prioritizes direct selling, content marketing priorities personal connection. That can be easy to forget because of the digital nature of most modern content marketing, but that's still the crux of it. Think of the headlines, social media posts, or blogs that go viral, getting passed on again and again. One thing they usually share is an ability to inspire an emotion — anger, sadness, happiness — borne of an innate person-to-person bond.
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