How to Find Blog Topics You Haven’t Covered

January 30, 2013 Blogging Guide

Maybe you’re trying to cut your budget and are sure you can write successful blogs yourself. After all, you didn’t do too shabby in undergraduate writing courses, and it can’t be that difficult. One of the biggest challenges bloggers face is simply filling the void. Every blog needs to be entertaining, engaging and cover something new.
Don’t exhaust one category and then move onto the next. Your weekly blogs should be a sampling of responses to news stories, details about your products or services and a generous peppering of snark or humor (depending on your angle). Some SEO company services include blog maintenance, but most people try a DIY approach. If this is you, here are some leads.

Image via CrunchBase

A Perfect Match

Google News is your best resource, as are existing favorite news sites that you already scour. Search for breaking news that relates directly to your products or services. This is much easier if you deal with technology, politics, entertainment or another area for which Google has already dedicated content. Don’t just take the top few stories, and make sure you dig a little.
If you take this approach, you’ll literally never run out of new ideas. But make sure you only use news for inspiration. You still need to create unique content that captures the voice you want to project. For example, if you operate a pet store and there’s a new elephant born at the local zoo, that’s something to blog about.

Going the Obscure Route

There’s a good chance that there are details, strange histories and facts about your business that nobody knows. For instance, just what’s in that protein shake that you sell at your nutrition store? What are the most garish websites that a design company can uncover? People like to read about the strange, the outlandish and the weird, so deliver it.
If you think from the right angle, almost anything has a strange component. Unique uses for soap is a great topic for a bath company while the craziest headboard ideas is a must for any bedroom furniture store. Look at what you have and try to see it from a different perspective. The only limitation is your imagination.

When All Else Fails

Top and bottom lists are easily digestible and everyone enjoys reading them. Examples include “Most Outlandish Flower Arrangements,”  “Crazy Celebrity Engagement Rings,” and “Most Insane Future Cars.” You get the idea. Lists are easy and depend largely on images, which is standard for many blogs.
Think about what you’d want to read, which I know is easier said than done. Take note of the vibe of the blogs or sites you follow for pleasure. What is it about them that draws you in? Write down ideas as they occur to you and make it an ongoing process so you always have a stockpile of ideas to fall back on.

About the Author

Adrienne Erin is a blogger and aspiring author. When she’s not blogging about tech and social media, you might find her practicing her French, whipping up some recipes she found on Pinterest, or obsessing over vintage postcards and stamps.