3 Sources for Blog Post Inspiration

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Annelie Näs

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I often get stuck when I try to write blog posts on a set time frame instead of when I feel like it, and it is not because I do not have anything to write about. I usually have ideas for subject to write about a few times during the day, but they are rarely connected to the time which I am going to start writing, and then when I have time to write the subject does not feel as interesting anymore.
Therefore I have looked on ways to inspire myself to become instantly “passionate” about a subject to create a post about it at the assigned writing time. Now, I have figured out three sources that usually get me thinking enough to create that writing momentum.

Similar search terms

Looking though my daily analysis for website traffic I usually see word or sentences that people have search for and ended up on my blog by typing. Usually these keywords are very connected to what I have written, but now and then the keywords and the post they found does not seem to be a “match.” In these cases I try to write a post about the subject which they were looking to read about, because generally there is more than one person interested in that subject.

Tip 1: Create the content that your visitors are looking for.

LinkedIn Answers and More Particular LinkedIn Questions

The LinkedIn answers section is a great place to learn about things that you are interested in, and get answers to the questions. However, far from everyone even consider it as a source when they are looking for information. Instead, they make a Google search to find the answers to their questions. Therefore, you could go to the LinkedIn section to answer questions from your expertise, and also blog about the subjects that people ask questions about to make sure that even more get the information.

Tip 2: Blog about the subjects that are asked about in the LinkedIn answer section.

Read, read, read and then read a little more

When you read things that other people have written you automatically starts developing your own ideas and drawing your own conclusions about what is said, or perhaps the text even gets you thinking about something else. By subscribing to a about 150 RSS feeds on my Google reader I receive a constant flow of information and thus sources of inspiration.

Tip 3. Read and get inspired to create your own ideas based on the knowledge of others.

To this list I also have add the comment by Mark Murnahan, aka A web guy, who commented on my blog today saying “Exercise does not only count for biceps. I have found that the more I write, the more I think…”

I don’t think I write enough to have this working for me yet, but the concept is so trough that I wanted to share this as well.

Do you have any other tools that you use to get “on the spot” inspiration?

Share and Enjoy:

Elisabeth

Even though I only recently launched my blog, I do have some interesting tips to add to your list (all 3 points are excellent.) I have an old .mp3 player that also has a voice recorder function, and I also have that function in my cell phone. I carry at least one voice recorder tool with me where I go. Once I was grocery shopping and an idea hit me: I pulled my cart aside and whispered into my phone. (I just looked like I was making a call.:)) The result of that voice recording was all I needed to polish a blog post that was really bothering me.
I also have little notebooks all over the house and in my purse. I get inspired in book stores and libraries and can be seen jotting notes down "old school" in my little notebook.
And, yes, libraries and book stores are great places to get the creative juices going, "Old school"!
Annelie Näs

Thank you so much Elisabeth for you respons! And I very much agree with your additions, I do not have the voice recorder in my phone, but I actually bought a dictaphone for the same reason, but still have not got into the habit of using it. Thanks for reminding me! I also agree that note books and librares, though to me both of them is not necessarly "instant" insipration, however, that might be individual. I hope to hear you thoughts again soon.

Annelie Näs