Everyday Gyaan

Inspiration For Blogging Content

Blogging, Writing & Creativity / by / 56 Comments

‘I’ for ‘I have no ideas’?  Certainly not!

i have no ideas

 

‘I’ is for Inspiration For Blogging Content

There is no dearth of inspiration for blogging, but there are times when we do get stuck wondering what to blog about. I thought I’d put together a few sources where a blogger can find interesting subjects to blog about both online and offline.

1. Search and Social Trends

  • Topsy  (since closed)- this site enables you to add a keyword and get the top tweets and topics trending on this subject.
  • Alltop – this aggregates leading posts on various topics. So you can search for top posts within your niche or any ideas that appeal to you.
  • Google Trends – tells you what people have been searching for. Find a search that interests you and write your own thoughts on it. One top search in India at the moment is on Jashodabhen – the wife (or not) of the BJP Leader who has in the past claimed to be single.

2. Magazines, newspapers, TV, movies and songs – These are all great sources of content ideas. Magazines and newspapers reflect what’s making news and current trends. Television serials, movies and songs are great because you can blog about what’s current, or bring something out from long ago and do a sentimental post about it.

4. Books and quotes – I love reading and any blogger worth her salt, should too. There are loads of ideas out there in the books we read. Quote from them, write about them, put a new spin on them.

Most of us love quotes. Although, I know of at least one man who doesn’t – my husband. But I know a good quote can set you off on a whole blog post. I collect quotes of famous people like they’re going out of fashion. And if I really admire the person, they get a whole post dedicated to them and what they’re saying. Like, Wisdom From Iyanla Vanzant.

5. Forums – There are a lot of blogging forums out there where you could also find like-minded people who can give your ideas when you are stuck. There are some good blogging groups on Facebook, and I do love BlogCatalog where you can start a discussion and gather opinions – all fodder for your posts.

6. Writing prompts and challenges  – There are plenty of places where you can find regular writing prompts and blogging challenges that can set off your creativity. I’m happy to say that Write Tribe is one such place. Shelley Mona sweetly wrote a post about it today – Incredibly Inspiring, she called it. Thank you, you made my day! 🙂

7. Your blog – ‘Huh?’ you say?  Yes, indeed. Set up an analytics software that lets you know which of your posts are popular and lets you know what searches brought people to your blog.  So you know what you’ve done right and do more of it. Also, think of your ‘best readers’ – people who are regulars on your blog. Think of what they like to read and write for them.

8. Your own life – While all the of the above sources are online – the greatest source for blogging content is your own life. Our own experiences – because they’re personal,  help us connect with your readers. I do that very often and I find that even the struggles I write about resonate with others. Then there’s always food, travel, holidays and experiences with Nature that we can blog about.

inspiration for blogging

Things you can do to make it easier for you to find quick ideas:

a. Maintain a file – online or offline – of all the ideas that occur to you, as and when they do. If have plenty of little notes in a folder marked ‘fodder’.

b.Note down resources – names of books, articles, songs etc. If they’re online bookmark the pages.

c. Discuss your ideas with someone else, preferably someone who knows you well and is a regular reader of your blog.

d. Always, always write from your heart. 🙂

Share ways you find ideas for your blog posts.

 

PS:   There are plenty of resources out there, if only we are prepared to ‘listen’. Read this guest post by Tony Teegarden on Kikolani: Finding Your Blogging Inspiration In 3 Easy Steps.

On a slightly different note, read this from Darren Rowse of ProBlogger:  How to Keep Inspired When Blogging Gets Tough.

 

This post is written for the letter ‘ I’ for the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014.

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About Corinne Rodrigues

An inspirational writer, a creativity and writing trainer/coach, I write about life, gratitude, healing, wellness, relationships at Everyday Gyaan. I offer training/coaching to anyone looking to explore their creativity and heal through writing via The Frangipani Creative, located in Secunderabad, India. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for my weekly newsletter, Bytes of Gyaan, on Substack.

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Comments

  1. Vidya Sury

    Solid list of sources, Corinne!

    May I add “camera” to this? I find that just going through my photo albums brings back memories that are great fodder for posts!

    Catch you ever being at a loss for inspiration for a blog post!

    You know I am looking forward to your J post!

    Love, Vidya
    Vidya Sury recently posted..Juliet, JemimaMy Profile

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  5. Psych Babbler

    Those are some great ideas…for me most of the fodder I guess comes from life and things around me. But I do keep notes on my phone whenever an idea strikes so that I can blog about it! 🙂 And of course, Write Tribe has been a brilliant inspiration for me particularly this year! 🙂
    Psych Babbler recently posted..J is for Joy in the little things #atozchallengeMy Profile

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  8. Sedruola

    Oh my goodness, how timely is this! As I work through the Ultimate Blog Challenge, and I tell myself I want to keep the momentum flowing even after April, this blog post comes just in time! Thank you so much for the great list of ‘inspiration’ I’m excited to come back often and pick at it!
    Sedruola recently posted..April 11, 1970 – Apollo 13 LaunchedMy Profile

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  13. Roy A. Ackerman, PhD, EA

    I am never at a shortage of what to write- just the time to do so. With my wonderful cadre of friends and colleagues, my research, my CXO activities, the job is to find the time to tell an anecdote or two (making sure those that want things private are honored)…
    But, this list is a great idea, Corrine. You will help many a soul.

    Reply

  16. Sulekha

    Some wonderful ideas here, Corinne. I have bookmarked the sites for checking the trends and top tweets, thanks for sharing. The best advice you gave is ‘It is best to write from the heart’, I always do although at times I might not share all that is in my heart 🙂

    Reply

  17. Kajal

    Of course, a great list for inspiration..and these days I feel I have a lot of inspiration and too less time to get down to write 🙁

    Nevertheless, I am never at a loss o words, so will bounce back soon 🙂

    Thanks 🙂
    Kajal recently posted..Julie And Julia (2009)My Profile

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  21. Sushree Dash

    Thanks for sharing such wonderful ideas with us . Your mantras about blogging are really helping me out 🙂 Though I started in a lighter note but after joining events and challenges I am turning out to be a regular one .
    And how can I ever forget Write Tribe Festival…my first blogging event and would always remain special to me 🙂

    For my blog posts I mostly write poetry or short fiction and ideas either I find them looking around me or within myself . Sometimes articles in newspapers , or someone’s random talks or may be my own feeling about life and people 🙂 And if I don’t find any …then Write Tribe comes to my rescue 🙂

    Thank you Ma’m for dropping by my blog…it means a lot 🙂
    Sushree Dash recently posted..Journey….My Profile

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  22. Obsessivemom

    That’s one of the most useful posts Corinne. So many times we’re just stuck for lack of inspiration, though of late there’s always been WT to fall back upon but these are super tips. Thank you.

    Reply

  27. Penny McDaniel

    One of my favorite lines from the movie Finding Forrester is “Write with your heart. Then rewrite with your head.” I think it is so important to write from the heart. Get it out in all of its mess, take a breather, and then clean it up for publication.

    This is a very helpful list for us writers. Thank you.
    Penny
    Penny McDaniel recently posted..You Are Your Own Creative SolutionMy Profile

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  30. Paulette

    #8 is spot on. When I was participating in the January 2014 Ultimate Blog Challenge I wrote down any problems that I had with relation to my business or social media or website issues, then I would google how to solve the problem and write a blog post about the problem and how other people can resolve it should they also have the same problem in the future.
    Paulette recently posted..Wine Friday Blog Post #6My Profile

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