11 Ways to Generate Valuable Ideas for Your Company Blog

In order to give great advice, you have to first become inspired.

Question: What's one way I can generate valuable ideas for my company blog or social media?

Follow the Energy

"We do not assign content creation, and yet, we create pages every day. It all begins with where the energy flows. We send out a daily email to our staff with inspiring quotes our clients have shared that day. If one resonates with a staff member, they get to claim it and create something around it. I won't let them write until the fire in the belly is there, so I inspire them."


Look at the Questions Your Audience Is Asking

"Look at the questions your audience is asking. There are a number of resources that your audience is already using to find out more about services like yours (e.g., Q&A sites, your social media pages, industry-related FAQ pages, etc.). Scanning through these will give you a wealth of information about what topics your potential customers want to know more about."


Listen to Your Clients

"Client feedback is a great tool for improving your business. It’s also a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of what matters to your clients, what they are interested in and what they want to know more about. By listening to your clients’ concerns and responding, you can generate a whole host of valuable topics to explore via your company blog or social media."


Find the Best Sources and Disconnect

"Ironically, blogging and social media inspiration doesn’t happen behind a computer, phone, tablet or any other device. Get out there, talk to the smartest people you know in your industry, have face-to-face conversations, create space to think critically (away from your daily routine) and find time to disconnect. Reading is also invaluable -- but pick only the best 10 sources. "


Visit Google Trends

"Google Trends is an amazing tool that allows you to create relevant content. Simply go to Google Trends, look at what the world is talking about and see how your company could potentially contribute to the conversation. Not only will your content be relevant on social media channels, but you may be able to capture search traffic to your site as well. "


Borrow Ideas From Other Sites

"The great thing about being a small business is that there are a lot of bigger businesses in the world that you can emulate. Look for companies that are doing a great job with their company blogs or social media, and figure out how to replicate those ideas on your own properties. Make sure your search is broad enough to include industries other than your own."


Use Google

"One of the easiest ways to find new content is to Google around and see what your competitors are writing about. I'm not suggesting you copy their content, but usually what's relevant to them is relevant to you too -- just put your own unique spin on it."


Resources

11 Ways to Generate Valuable Ideas for Your Company Blog

In order to give great advice, you have to first become inspired.

Question: What's one way I can generate valuable ideas for my company blog or social media?

Follow the Energy

"We do not assign content creation, and yet, we create pages every day. It all begins with where the energy flows. We send out a daily email to our staff with inspiring quotes our clients have shared that day. If one resonates with a staff member, they get to claim it and create something around it. I won't let them write until the fire in the belly is there, so I inspire them."


Look at the Questions Your Audience Is Asking

"Look at the questions your audience is asking. There are a number of resources that your audience is already using to find out more about services like yours (e.g., Q&A sites, your social media pages, industry-related FAQ pages, etc.). Scanning through these will give you a wealth of information about what topics your potential customers want to know more about."


Listen to Your Clients

"Client feedback is a great tool for improving your business. It’s also a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of what matters to your clients, what they are interested in and what they want to know more about. By listening to your clients’ concerns and responding, you can generate a whole host of valuable topics to explore via your company blog or social media."


Find the Best Sources and Disconnect

"Ironically, blogging and social media inspiration doesn’t happen behind a computer, phone, tablet or any other device. Get out there, talk to the smartest people you know in your industry, have face-to-face conversations, create space to think critically (away from your daily routine) and find time to disconnect. Reading is also invaluable -- but pick only the best 10 sources. "


Visit Google Trends

"Google Trends is an amazing tool that allows you to create relevant content. Simply go to Google Trends, look at what the world is talking about and see how your company could potentially contribute to the conversation. Not only will your content be relevant on social media channels, but you may be able to capture search traffic to your site as well. "


Borrow Ideas From Other Sites

"The great thing about being a small business is that there are a lot of bigger businesses in the world that you can emulate. Look for companies that are doing a great job with their company blogs or social media, and figure out how to replicate those ideas on your own properties. Make sure your search is broad enough to include industries other than your own."


Use Google

"One of the easiest ways to find new content is to Google around and see what your competitors are writing about. I'm not suggesting you copy their content, but usually what's relevant to them is relevant to you too -- just put your own unique spin on it."


See Also: 3 Ways to Find Forgotten Innovation

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