Goodbye Writer’s Block: Small Business Content Writing Made Fast, Easy and Fun
“You need to regularly update the content on your website.” Everyone says it, and it’s true. But when you’re an entrepreneur and you’re working hard to run your own business, coming up with fresh content all the time can seem like seriously daunting task.
That said, refreshing your site doesn’t need to include hours of staring at a blank screen without any ideas or places to start. In fact, with these 10 tips, you can not only save time when it comes to content writing, you can have fun with it, too! Here are 10 ways you can improve your content ideas:
Brainstorm When You Don’t Need To Write
The worst time to try and think of a blog topic is right before you need to write it. A better approach is to do a brainstorming session when you have time, such as during the weekend. Take 30 minutes or an hour and write down as many topic ideas as you can. You will find that many of the ideas lead to others. A helpful tip: Put some time in your calendar each week for this brainstorming session. As small business owners, it can seem like there aren’t enough minutes in each day to breathe, let alone sit down and think about blog ideas. But if you block off the time in advance, and set a reminder (or two) for yourself, you’ll have an easier time associating it as a priority. And trust us, it should be!
Read Other Blogs
It sounds paradoxical but the most productive activity that a writer can do is to read. Even if the only writing you do is for the blog on your business website, you will want to know what’s happening in your industry and with your competitors in order to write the most modern content for your blog. When you read what other people are saying, you can get a good sense of how your business can grow and evolve. Here’s a tip: Find the most relevant and engaging blogs and bookmark them on your computer or phone. That way, when you have a few free minutes, they’re right there, waiting to be read. You can also subscribe to a lot of blogs these days (a tool you should consider adding to your own!) By doing so, you don’t need to worry about proactively visiting to find the latest posts. Instead, they’ll land in your inbox, fresh off the press!
Keep A List Of Ideas
Reading isn’t always enough. You may forget the great blog idea you’ve had when it comes time to write. This is why you should keep a list of ideas that you can quickly update when something comes into your head. When you read something and it sparks an idea, make a note – you will be thankful for it in the future. A good tip: Find a small notebook you really love, whether it’s for its cute cover or smooth leather binding. By using one you’ve grown fond of, you’ll be more likely to keep it with you and have it nearby when you come up with a genius idea… you know, the kind that always hit you while driving or lying awake in bed rather than when you’re at your computer ready to write. Something as simple as a notebook will minimize those moments where you think to yourself, “Shoot…What that amazing idea I had when I woke up at 3:00am? I know it was a good one!”
Expand On Previously Covered Topics
Go back to topics you have covered in the past, particularly those that were well received, and expand on them. You can focus on one aspect of the post in more detail, take a different angle, or update the content with new information. For example, the title of this blog post is:
“Small Business Content Writing Made Fast, Easy and Fun!”
From this starting point you could come with other ideas along the same lines, but where you can offer new, different, or enhanced information. For example:
- “Top 5 Ways To Rework Previously Published Blogs”
- “The Best Small Business Blogs To Read For Content Ideas”
- “How To Get The Most From A List Of Content Ideas”
What Questions Do Your Customers Ask?
Do your customers ask common questions? Have you been asked a question by a customer that you have never heard before? What common misunderstandings or misconceptions do your customers have about your industry, products or business? These are all potential ideas for blog posts. A tip: Keep an eye out for comments on your social pages, or even in your blog. If a customer goes as far to engage with you and ask about more information regarding your business, it’s likely there are others who are wondering the same thing. Keep a running list of most interesting feedback or questions you receive and pull it out during your content brainstorming sessions (mentioned in tip #1).
Do Keyword Research
When people have a question about something, they usually look for the answer by putting it into Google first. This is, therefore, a good resource for you when thinking of blog ideas. For example, you, too, can simply do a Google search related to your business or product and then scroll through the list of results page to jog ideas about things you can write. Quick tip: When searching for ideas in search results, consider skipping to the bottom of the page and even onto the second sometimes. You’ll find there is often more educational content – and less sales – in these spots. And in general, it’s the education, helpful and information content you’re going to want to be adding regularly to your site or blog. Another option is to use the keyword tool in Google AdWords, or third-party services like KeywordTool.io. Remember: Keywords also come in handy when writing your content as well. Always keep in mind that you want your website and blog to land in those search results as well once you’ve published it.
Follow Influencers On Social Media
What’s an influencer? An influencer is a leader in your industry or market that drive your brand’s message to a larger audience. For example, if you sell vegan beauty products, a key influencer might be a celebrity who only uses vegan products him/herself. The idea is to reach, connect with, or inspire these people who have large social followings to share your business for you. But they also come in handy when searching for content to write about and add to your site. Why? You can bet that key influencers in your niche will talk about trending issues, share hot topics, and post about relevant subjects on social media. They may even have their own blog. This is valuable information you can use and repurpose in your own site and blog content.
Repurpose Existing Content
Speaking of repurposing content…there are many ways you can transform existing content (whether yours or a key influencer’s) into a different or unique format. For example, you might have a video how-to guide for one of your products posted somewhere on your site. Why not consider repurposing it by turning it into a written article? Or, perhaps, you found an article written by a key influencer or have a post of your own that was popular amidst your readers. Consider pulling out the key tips, facts, or points, and creating an infographic on the same topic. These are easier to digest quickly when people are on-the-go or don’t feel like reading long-form articles.
Work On A Theme
Another technique that has been regarded as a successful way to create fresh content fast is to create a theme or a series. Within that theme, bloggers may publish five, 10 or more posts, each focusing on granular details within it’s subject. It is much easier to come up with ideas in a theme, particularly if there is a timeline or flow, than it is to come up with standalone content ideas over and over. A tip: When you think you’ve come up with a topic or subject for one of your blog posts, sit down and try to break it down into a handful of key points. Then, flesh out each point into it’s own article idea…this way, your great idea turns into a bunch of great ideas, and you’ll have content to write about for weeks!
Write About Something That Matters To You Now
If there is something about your industry that is making you mad, write about it. Don’t be afraid to share your voice and speak your opinion. Whether every reader agrees with you or not, people tend to respect those that take a stance on something, one way or another. Additionally, a bold opinion is more shareable and more likely to spark conversation. It’ll also keep readers coming back for more. Similarly, if there is something you would like to learn more about for your own benefit, you can assume there are readers out there who are feeling the same way. So, take the matter into your own hands. Do the research, learn what you need to know, and write a blog post on the topic.
So, say goodbye to writer’s blog. Just put these 10 tips into action, and you will always have something to write about.
Good luck!
