In the too, too recent past, I’ve pounded myself over the head trying to come up with blog, newsletter, and article topics.
This has been going on for years. Even though I’ve got a TON of material floating around my noggin, whenever I asked myself what the next topic should be, I’d draw a complete blank.
I got a newsletter from Marisa Murgatroyd, of Be Seen Boldy, today. She linked to a post on her site on this very topic. The post was called: The #1 Thing You Should Be Writing About: How to Develop a Content Strategy for Your Blog and Social Media.
She approached it from a different direction, i.e. she doesn’t just say, “Make a list of topics for the year.” (Which would have been decidedly UNhelpful.)
Instead, she suggested starting with what you are selling, then asking yourself which topics would support that and are ones that people might search for.
Then, from those main support topics, you’ll likely be able to tease out some 50-100 topics. Booya! your list of topics for the year.
It worked for me. Within 15 minutes of beginning the exercise, I had 13 main topics and some 25 post topics.
It’s like I’ve been trying to push my way out the door, not seeing the big sign that says “Pull”. She turned on the light for me, I read the sign, pulled the door open and was free!
Moral of the story (as far as I can tell): if a question or situation is feeling stubborn again and again, put out the feelers for another approach. Watch how others do it—and then, this is the important part, get specifics!