[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Maintaining a consistent blog schedule is one key to successful content creation and establishing your business as a credible source. However, it can be difficult to find the inspiration for new blog posts, especially if you don’t see yourself as a writer or don’t feel that you have something unique to talk about (or feel that what you have to say has already been said by others).

Where should you turn to develop new blog posts ideas? How do you prevent your topics from feeling stale? Here are a few key tips to help you develop inspiring blog posts.

  1. Get Inspiration from Competitors

You always have your eye on your competitor’s products and services, so why not keep an eye on their blog too?  Let’s be clear, directly stealing an idea will not benefit you. Your competitor published first, so simply rephrasing their ideas won’t make your blog post rank above their post, or get more attention than their post.

Instead, you should be looking through their blog and wondering if you can add a different spin on any of their ideas. Or, if you can create a much more detailed or relevant blog post on the same topic that offers a unique perspective.

Look for blog posts you may disagree with and write about why you feel differently. The best blog posts sometimes derive from (friendly) disagreements. Let’s say your competitor publishes a blog post on how interlocking pavers is a better choice for driveways than concrete. You happen to disagree, perhaps because you feel that your method of laying concrete is a better or more affordable alternative. This would make an excellent blog post for customers who are actively looking for an alternative and who may then choose you over your competitor.

Additionally, answer the questions that your competitors or others in your industry aren’t addressing, or talk about the tools and processes unique to your business that separate you from everyone else. What makes you unique?

  1. Search Through Keywords

Search engine optimization (SEO) is all about using keywords to give search engines and your potential customers what they are looking for. Keywords, especially long-tail keywords, reveal what your customers want to hear about, especially if that topic isn’t currently covered by another blog online.

Using a keyword tool can help you find better blog topics that answer questions your customers are looking for. This is great way to connect with them and the perfect method to give them something that your competitors aren’t currently offering.

When looking through keywords, remember that search intent is very important. For example, say you own a landscaping company. Many people search for ‘low maintenance landscaping ideas’ but it may not reflect what searchers actually need, which might be ‘low maintenance landscaping bushes’ and ‘low maintenance shrubs Ontario’. Writing a blog post that talks about low maintenance bushes and shrubs for Ontario is ideal because it targets more specifically the information people truly need.

  1. Relate Topics to Holidays and Seasons

Throughout the year, you can write blog posts that relate to different holidays and seasons and tie them to your products or services. Don’t be afraid to go off topic here and have fun with it. Your business may be more relevant or useful to your customers at a certain time of year and you should capitalize on that with holiday-themed content.

Don’t limit yourself to the major holidays either. There are thousands of holidays people don’t know about, from World Intellectual Property Day to Canada’s National Squirrel Appreciation Day, and it’s possible to make a fun, random holiday something that catches people’s interest as well as making it informative and relate to your products and services. Search through lists of unusual holidays and you may find something creative that fits your business perfectly.

  1. Share Stories

It can’t be said enough that people love good stories. Sharing a success story from one of your customers or someone on your team, even a personal success from your founder or someone on our team, humanizes your brand and showcases the people and emotion behind your products and services.

Don’t be afraid to show some humor and write in a way that is personal and engaging, in your own unique voice. Talk about why you became a business owner, top lessons you’ve learned, profile ‘a day in life’ of someone else in your organization, share behind-the-scenes events or celebrations, or interview someone within or outside of your business that relates to what you do.  Make it personal and keep it positive. Show, rather than just tell, what makes your business special.

Take Risks with Your Blog Posts

In the end, the blog posts that end up getting the most attention are ones that take risks and offer new ideas. So, don’t be afraid to choose blog post topics that you think are a little unusual and think outside the box. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say.

If you’re stuck for blog post ideas, drop us a line! We’d love to help you brainstorm some fun, new ways to engage with your audience through your blog content.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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