Oh content ideas. The curse of the existence of every creator. They don’t know if your creation will be well received. You are at a loss and do not know what to do. It seems like every topic has been done before. Nothing feels good to you as a creator.
That’s what this newsletter issue is all about.
Finding ideas for content is the first step
The process of content creation follows four main steps:
- Designed
- Create
- To distribute
- measure up
There are substeps like editing. But these are the keys to reflection. And of course, brainstorming is the first step – you can’t create if you don’t know what you are creating.
Here are my 9 ways to come up with hundreds of content ideas. You don’t need a team for this, so solo preneurs are happy!
The 9 ways to develop content-related ideas
Strategy 1: “Two Problems”
In any business, your customers face two main problems that they must overcome:
- Having the challenge / problem that your solution solves.
- Bridging the gap between them who have the problem and those who are paying for your solution.
You can resolve ideation with these two problems:
- Describe the challenge or problem.
- Talk about the negative consequences of the problem.
- Explain what a solution should look like.
- Explain how to buy / how to buy.
Strategy 2: Current customers
Don’t ignore current customers! Talk to:
- Sales to ask what objection they were able to overcome in sales pitches or which objection they could not overcome.
- Customer Success / Support to ask what questions or issues arise from support tickets or success calls.
Strategy 3: Social Media / Listening
Almost everyone has some sort of social media account – this is a great way to generate ideas from current customers, prospects, and a feel for the community at large.
Strategy 4: “Egoistic Reasons”
We are told that all content must be helpful to customers – and that’s right. But you cannot forget about you and your business. After all, content marketing is a tool that you can grow with, and not just for fun.
Strategy 5: “content from content”
As a creator, you likely have a history of creation – let this be your source of future creativity.
Strategy 6: “Knowing / Feeling / Doing”
I’ve developed this frame over the years. It’s a simple question: what do you want your audience to know, feel, or do when they’re done consuming your content? That question alone should generate tons of potential content topics.
Strategy 7: Other People’s Content
Almost every subject in the world has been touched by someone. Let this inspire you and add your unique perspective or value.
Strategy 8: SEO
Use SEO Keyword Research, especially Keyword Suggestion Tool, to generate a ton of ideas based on topics you are already talking about.
Strategy 9: The world around you
To quote the economist Paul Krugman: “Every purchase is also a sale.” So when you buy things in your daily life, take stock of what made you do it or what experiences made you feel great – that could provide insights and ideas for your content.